The P&WV Hi-Line

PWVJer · Joined: 13 Dec 2005 Posts: 946

.... URR fan reported today that WLE 200 was
interchanged at Mifflin Yard
Spotters reported the unit this a.m. moving-lite down the Union Line
at Buttermilk Hollow Road and Homeville Road area in West Mifflin Pa.

The Clairton Branch now has finished Ballast/Tamped/Groomed ROW
from the State Street Crossing to just pass the small bridge over
Gill Hall Road (Peters Creek Bridge Approach).
The ROW track equipment on the branch has been moved
into the Large Pa. stub-siding.

jayrod · Joined: 19 Oct 2007 Posts: 494 Location: Akron, OH

If I were to guess, the 200 will probably head down the Union line past the Irvin plant to Clairton, through the coke plant and over the Rt 51 bridge to the Clairton branch so as to have a loco on that end of the branch for whatever. Looking at aerial images from April, it also looks like the Union has been doing a lot of track work in the area, too - ballast, tie replacement, panel track, etc. looks like everybody's been busy.
_________________
Eric Schlentner
Aka, jayrod

PWVJer · Joined: 13 Dec 2005 Posts: 946

Our guess is that the WLE/Peters Creek Bridge Span Contractor is getting close
to the finish line. Branch ROW work looks about 95% complete.

... maybe the big CWR project from Rook to MP. 21 is close to starting. Ribbon-Rail is on the ground,
many, many, new ties installed, looks about ready for the Rail/Switch re-lay gang(s).
The WE may also have several bridge projects in mind for the
East-end of the P&WV Line as well.

Could be a very interesting 2016 Aug. Sept. and Oct. for the High & Dry Line.

pitt1292 photography · Joined: 25 Apr 2015 Posts: 23 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa

Was able to shoot this move in a few spots along with the other two moves

PWVJer · Joined: 13 Dec 2005 Posts: 946

Thanks, nice pic Pitt1292. Was able to get only two (so-so) pics,
camera battery issues. Was a very easy chase Mifflin to
Homeville Rd. area. The URR/WE crew moved at a restricted?
speed 10-15 mph tops.

See any WLE Track crews(Hi-railers) and white shirts in the
yard/grade crossing area?

pitt1292 photography · Joined: 25 Apr 2015 Posts: 23 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa

I believe the track speed on URR Mifflin branch is 15mph and there was MoW working on the NS connection track

PWVJer · Joined: 13 Dec 2005 Posts: 946

The WE 200 sitting in the Clairton Yard, shut-down & Locked-up.
Not sure where the MOW surface equipment is located.
Soon, Time & Date for Peters Creek Bridge span install???

CWR install crews by Shannon, east-end main, should have (one side) in
place to about Longview at days end 7/20/16. Think? the WLE's priority goal may be to
complete the CWR project to Pierce. Including
rip-rap, old stick rail removal, some tie replacement,
surface & grooming inclusive.
Lots of tank car wet-gas traffic, direct to NS at Clairton.
Maybe a small amount of other traffic as well.

AVR Bruceton, inter-change will still see north-bound
B&P & local traffic.

The CWR project from MP.40 to MP.21 to follow at a later date?
Think, Penna. Transportation Grant money$ were approved for
this project.

..our observation/thoughts what yours?

Longview Station · Joined: 16 Apr 2005 Posts: 176 Location: Longview Station

A eastbound just went up the hill, from listening in at home the jointed rail is still in West of the Castle Shannon detector as you can hear rail joints under the train. Today coming home from work they were spiking the new CWR at MP 47.

If you look at Carloads Tariffs, you can see why the Clairton branch is being put back into service. A lot of revenue lost interchanging these tanks when they can self deliver them to NS!

I hope in time, NS power is interchanged to the W&LE at Clairton with empty tanks, taken to Westland or Hanna then back with the loads...I'd love seeing the N&W heritage unit back on the P&WV.

PWVJer · Joined: 13 Dec 2005 Posts: 946

CWR down & spiked on one rail side. (Looking east, right side only).
Not sure, when they reach Pierce @ MP-39.8 or if they can turn the CWR
equipment and work back to Rook? or back-down to MP.55 and start on the
left side rail ?????
No questions now, wet-gas-tanks (lots) from both Hopedale & Westland
WLE to NS at Clairton. No WLE/AVR/NS Island Ave hand-offs. As we understand it, most NS tank-
inter-change traffic going direct East/Northeast. (40-car blocks?)

Highway Signals at Rt.51 & State St.(Clairton) to be checked, re-activated & re-set,
perhaps late next week?
Will not be surprised to see NS power run-thru moves.....
Continued, on-going, selected bridge work programs for the High & Dry- East.