The P&WV Hi-Line

[PWVJer]

... long gone! But here's a nice image Link:

http://c590298.r98.cf2.rackcdn.com/FZ2_758.JPG
from 1940.

Many P&WV fans remember this Chemical Plant as the
Kopper's complex.

Scale model folks should be aware that during the
1940's & 50's and to a lesser degree early 1960's,
much(rail movement) of the Plant's raw materials & finshed chemical products
were in box cars, as well as tank cars.

[jayrod]

Wow. That's quite a few barrels. And two guys pushing one up a ramp onto the truck. That photo screams "Superfund Site". But that's just the way you did it back then....

I worked for a while in Texas for an outfit whose building was an old Jefferson Chemical insecticide plant. Lots of white dust up in them there rafters. And we weren't allowed to dig in the back lot. Makes me wonder why I haven't grown an extra appendage or two.
_________________
Eric Schlentner
Aka, jayrod

[PWVJer]

Facility Description
The facility is located approximately ¾ mile west of Bridgeville in
Allegheny County,
Pa. The property comprises approximately 301 acres, of which the process area
occupies approximately 55 acres. Chartiers Creek borders
the property to the east and Millers
Run borders the process area to the west and north. Both Chartiers Creek and Millers Run flow
to the north. The
W&LE line runs in an east to west direction along the
southern
edge of the property. Interstate 79 is just east of the property and is separated from the
process area by Chartiers Creek.

The facility was constructed in 1928, and was operated by the Seldon Company from 1928 until
1934. In 34' the facility was purchased by the American Cyanamid Company,
which operated the facility until 1963. Then the facility was sold to
Koppers
Pittsburgh
Company (KPC). In 1970, KPC sold the facility to Koppers Company. Koppers
owned and operated the facility from 1963 until 1989. In 1989, Koppers leased part of the
facility to Reichhold Chemicals, which continued to
operate there. Koppers, which changed its
name to Beazer East, Inc. (Beazer) in 1990, continues to own the property.
Manufacturing processes have been similar throughout the history of the facility. Historic
manufacturing processes include the production
of chlorinated naphthalene, amino and alkyd
resins, resole resins, maleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride for use in foam board, while current
manufacturing processes include polyester resins, coating resins and other products.

[Rich_S]

PWVJer, I don't know what Koppers manufactured at the plant in the 1960's through the 1980's, but I can tell you the plant always had a very distinct and odd smell.
Before Interstate 79 was constructed we traveled to my Grandparents home on PA 978 through Oakdale to Cuddy.
So we would only have to travel past the plant when going to Bridgeville.
After Interstate 79 was constructed, we traveled past the plant on Millers Run road ever time we visited my Grandparents.
This was before they constructed the four lane over National Hill.
At that time the PC B&M branch was still in operation and I always kept my fingers crossed hoping to see the local working the branch,
as much of the branch paralleled Millers Run road between Bridgeville and Cuddy.
I never did get to see a over and under at the Morgan bridge, but back then I think they only operated that branch on a as needed basis for Desmond Lumber and Nicholson Pile, but I'm getting side tracked.
If my memory serves correctly, there was a entrance to the plant off Millers Run road and that entrance was two side by side tunnels under the P&WV,
just East of the bridge that carried the P&WV over Millers run creek.
It's funny how reading about the Koppers / American Cyanamid Company, I can almost smell that chemical smell that resonated from the plant. Thanks for the info and trip down memory lane.
_________________
Regards,
Rich S.

[ktrick45]

They made polyester resin, and they made the constituent chemicals, phthallic anhydride and maleic anhydride. My father-in-law was the plant carpenter there. After the "green snow in Bridgeville" incident, they shut down the maleic operation. They shipped it in by rail from Akron.

[PWVJer]

...Ahaaa yes, the early 1960's. Plant & Miller's Run Aroma's.
A kind of chemical combo & house coal-burn type of
odd smell mix. Fans who are following the conversation,
and may have lived near-by can relate.

A while back, we posted a bunch of Historical Archive Document-Materials/Reports.
Historic Archive Documents Pages.

GENERAL
SUPERINTENDENT
#961
GENERAL Bulletin
NOTICE from Aug 4th 1952 shows a nice track chart of the plant.

We also have yet to include a Drawing/Diagram -Engineers and Contractors type for
building/structure/location info.
_____________________________________________________

Another neat Bridgeville company was the Vanadium Plant, just a
bit east of the Seldon Plant Complex.

Pic & Info Link:
http://www.chemheritage.org/discover/collections/collection-items/photographs/bridgeville-pennsylvania-plant-site-vanadium-corporation-of-america-009-96-13-009.aspx

[Rich_S]

PWVJer,
I was aware of but not that familiar with the mills along Mayer Street.
We pretty much stayed on Washington Pike through Bridgeville on our way to or from the Great Southern Shopping Center.
I also remember seeing some sort of GE plant near the intersection of Washington Pike and Millers run road.
It wasn't right on Washington Pike, I think it sat behind a gas station that was along Washington Pike.
I don't remember if the GE plant was served by the Washington Secondary of the PRR / PC railroads.

That brings up another question, what was the name of the industry in Carnegie on Hope street that was served by the P&WV?
_________________
Regards,
Rich S.

[ktrick45]

Rich: O. Hommel Corporation. They made ceramic coatings. Founded in Scott Township in 1891 by Oscar Hommel, sold to Engelhard Corporation in 2002. Engelhard was acquired by BASF in 2006. Not long after Engelhard bought the company, they shut down the Scott Township operation and moved everything to New Jersey.

[PWVJer]

O.Hummel & Anchor Supply, Remember these two facility's
well. The Rook Yard Job serviced one or both almost every day
on second trick. In the 1960-65' time frame the O'Hummel Plant
received on average, about 6 car-mix total
(covered hoppers-sometimes a tank/box) ea. per work-week.

About a 1000 ft. west (just over the Hope Hollow Bridge) sat
the Anchor Supply Co.
This customer received twice as many cars on average. Lots of
40-50" box cars on this original 11-car siding spur. The plant expanded this wrse. facility to also include
several types of industrial sanitary pipes. This small out-side storage yard had
an additional short siding for 52' gons.

Yep! Got to ride this(Yard-Limit) switch-job quite a few times. An FM yard engine
would make-up the cars @ Rook Yard, pull down-west to one or both
plants. After pick-up of mty's & spotting loads, the crew would shove-back to
Rook. With a brakeman hanging-on the lead car.
Anchor shipped out/distributed much of these ceramic products in box-trailers & straight-trucks.

In general, these two customers could receive a total of 10-15 cars per-week.

[Rich_S]