The P&WV Hi-Line

[Dave Stanton]

Does anyone know when steam helpers shoved a train to Longveiw from Rook, what happened once at Longview?

[Longview Station]

For the most part, all depending on the particular train, Helpers to Longivew(VW) on the Alpha Jets, when the need arose, stayed on the train to Monessen before cutting off. At Monessen was a Wye to turn the engine.
The reason, yes the grade from West Liberty to Longview was interesting, but not to forget the grades east of Pierce on the newer Connellsville Extension. At Pierce Eastbounds began a 4 miles climb to Froman.
Not necessarily a severe grade, but add in the curves, and again for time freight operations, power was needed to assualt these grades.
After passing over Mingo Creek Bridge, you had another 2 mile grade to Valley Inn near Mile Post 32.
From Mile Post 32 to Sudan, gentle dowhill running to Mile Post 30 then back uphill to Temple Tunnel at Mile Post 28.
Arriving Monessen, helpers turned on the wye and came back west.
I'm sure the 1100 series mallets were designed with the intentions of being able to eliminate helpers.
On the grade East of West Liberty up through Fairhaven, severe curvature was a constant problem with rear end helpers. With that curvature the problem of shoving against trains presented itself with the on-going occurence of derailing the rear of the train.
The N&W tried this with the 100 car grain trains and found out derailments were a constant problem and immeidately cut the trains into half and moved them to Chaintown in 2 pieces.
I'm sure Helpers were used often, but no doubt on the run-through trains they went to Monessen before cutting out.
On the Mifflin & CLairton Trains, helpers could of cut out at Longview and backed to Rook or BJ thus turning onthe wye there.
Over the last few years, the W&LE used the crew at Rook to shove their grain trains to Longview. With the train drappd over the summit at Longview, and then engines down near the Montour overpass, the helper cut away allowing the head end to charge the air before proceeding.
The N&W ran their helpers usually to Alto before cutting away.
The W&LE did this a few times with 100 car grain trains.
On such instance I was able to ride the helper to Alto on the W&LE re-acting what I saw in the early 1970's as a young railroad buff..

VW

[Dave Stanton]

Thank you, great information as usual.

[PWVJer]

Hey GPS, nice job on the answers to Dave's question.

Now how about this up-date project...
A two part "GPS special" on the High & Dry CTC system.
You could do it in two parts, The East End and West End, this would tie in nicely with
future Hi-Line Cover stories and pics.

We could call it "Push-Button Railroading on the P&WV", or
a Harry Potter type spin..." Towers, Dwarfs, Masts and Magical Lights"

The Dispatchers, and the Signal Maintainers would really like this one!

JZ/JR.

[Longview Station]

Jer;

Great idea.
Ever really look at the CTC on the East End and wonder why?
Home signals at the WEST End of Horning, Bruceton, Monessen, Maple and Banning?
Only Dwarfs coming off the sidings at their EAST Ends?
Then the Home Signals at Mile Post 20 and Sudan?

VW