Eastern Railroad Discussion > B&LE Evenings: new traffic and new power

In first 10 years after the CN takeover, the B&LE seemed like it lived in a time capsule, insulated from the rest of the CN empire by an international border and a lack of a direct rail connection. B&LE power reigned (with a brief exception when a CN unit subbed for a collison damaged B&LE 905), with the only change obvious to the casual observer was the gradual erosion of the traffic base to the point where the one or 2 daily ore trains were the vast majority of the traffic that could be found.

In 2014, or CN+10 as I call it, changes have finally begun to take hold, but fortunately, this is the result of new traffic. First, back in April, the CN secured a coal contract moving coal between the URR Duquesne Wharf and the docks at Conneaut. This has brought regular coal moves to the line for the first time in 5 or 6 years. It also brought about a motive power and car shortage, so about a month ago 2 CN units and a string of CN family hoppers made their way south over the BPRR from Buffalo to Butler. The hoppers became part of the coal pool, and the CN units, a freshly painted SD60 and a grungy, battered SD40-2W became part of the B&LE power pool.

1. Tonight I happened to look up at the giant B&LE bridge in Harmar and noticed a northbound racing across it with a train of odd looking cars. Time for a chase and to check this out! I chased north as the train climbed Saxonburg Hill, finally getting ahead on the other side of the summit at Mcbride, and found not loads of coal in what turned out to be BPRR bathtub gons, but coke! Aside from some sporadic test runs a couple years ago, coke hasn't regularly been seen on the B&LE for years.
2. From there, I headed up to Butler to see where this train was headed. I arrived at Butler Transfer, the interchange with the BPRR, in time to just miss the evening ore train going south on the main. He would meet the coke train at Standard Jct. After a couple minutes, the coke train came into Butler on the running track, and I found out later that it was handed off to the BPRR, presumably to head for points north.
3. As I headed back south through Butler for home, I heard strange, non B&LE sounding air horns, and realized the southbound ore train was still getting underway after the meet. I made a quick detour to the bridge at Standard Jct and lucked out when a 30 second gap in traffic allowed me to throw on the 4 ways in the breakdown lane for a quick shot of the southbound pulling through Standard Jct with downtown Butler in the background. That CN spartan cab 60 looks right at home to me. Those of us that follow the B&LE knew it was only a matter of time before changes would take hold, but if the loss of "pure" B&LE power is a result of the need for more power to handle new traffic, that's the kind of change I can embrace!

Thanks for looking.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/15/14 20:36 by PittsburghMike.

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Nice photos, really like that last shot.

Great shots as always Mike. That grungy 40-2W always spoils the B&LE lash ups but that standard cab SD60 looks OK with the orange units. If they need more power for the increased traffic maybe they could get a brace of those and keep them together. I know that's wishful thinking but hell I don't think anybody expected to see pure B&LE power sets in 2014 ten years ago after CN took over. You never know...

Good story-telling, and it is history, good or bad. I wish they'd bring the B&LE units home that are on the DM&IR before they send CN stuff to the B&LE, but that apparently is not in the cards.

toledopatch Wrote:
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> Good story-telling, and it is history, good or
> bad. I wish they'd bring the B&LE units home that
> are on the DM&IR before they send CN stuff to the
> B&LE, but that apparently is not in the cards.


My understanding is that the B&LE power that went to the Missabe was subsequently modified for service up there, but I don't know for sure it that is the case...my impression is the appearance of the CN power has allowed for some of the B&LE units to be shopped for some needed work...As the cycle the CNs through the shop, hopefully we will end up with at least one pure consist. They were really stretched thin for a while when the coal started running.the 5422 seems to lead a lot, while the battered 40-2 seems to usually be a middle unit...thank goodness.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/15/14 20:49 by PittsburghMike.

Great update and photos Mike

Posted from iPhone

Great shots Mike. Randy

Good info and great pictures Mike. I am planning on taking a two week trip to that general area of the country in early October and B&LE is on my list along with many of the other awesome shortlines and regionals yall have.

SUPER pics!!!

Thanks for the update Mike. Your third shot is a real winner. Do you know if this coke run is also new business?
John

jmbreitigan Wrote:
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> Thanks for the update Mike. Your third shot is a
> real winner. Do you know if this coke run is also
> new business?
> John

John, its definitely new, but I don't know if it was a one time move or will be an ongoing traffic lane.

jmbreitigan Wonders:
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> ...Your third shot is a
> real winner. Do you know if this coke run is also
> new business?

Cole almost surely from USS Clairtron coke works, on the Union Railroad. Could be a regular move to another mill -- US Steel or other -- or a spot purchase by some mill, which occurs from time to time in the steel business.

Somewhat off topic, I am trying to find out how passenger service was provided to Conneaut Lake Park, PA. I recall in the early 50's, trains being parked at the Park. They had a station and even in times past they had several tracks for several trains to accommodate passengers.

I recall, back in the fifties, passenger trains coming into Conneaut Lake Park, Pa for a railroad convention. I think they came in on B&LE tracks. Certainty recall B&LE tracks just a few miles from the park. Did B&LE ever have passenger service? Or was it another line with passenger service connecting to Conneaut Lake Park? In fact, CLP even had short steam excursion service for a few years as a park attraction. Thank you for any info.

raydrs Wrote:
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> Somewhat off topic, I am trying to find out how
> passenger service was provided to Conneaut Lake
> Park, PA. I recall in the early 50's, trains being
> parked at the Park. They had a station and even in
> times past they had several tracks for several
> trains to accommodate passengers.
>
> I recall, back in the fifties, passenger trains
> coming into Conneaut Lake Park, Pa for a railroad
> convention. I think they came in on B&LE tracks.
> Certainty recall B&LE tracks just a few miles from
> the park. Did B&LE ever have passenger service? Or
> was it another line with passenger service
> connecting to Conneaut Lake Park? In fact, CLP
> even had short steam excursion service for a few
> years as a park attraction. Thank you for any
> info.


B&LE had a branchline serving the park and icehouse there. Trains came up from Pittsburgh for people to enjoy the park. If you know where to look, you can see the grade coming from the north to loop around the lake and reach the amusement park.

Thanks for the photos, my father's family is from Sharon and many worked for the Bessimer. One of my earliest railfan memories is my grandfather carrying me into a yard to show me how a knuckle coupler worked.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/19/14 13:43 by nicknack.

Thanks for the CLP info. It really helps clear up some things.

And thanks for the photos, very nice and enjoyable! No 1 especially took my fancy.

raydrs Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Somewhat off topic, I am trying to find out how
> passenger service was provided to Conneaut Lake
> Park, PA. I recall in the early 50's, trains being
> parked at the Park. They had a station and even in
> times past they had several tracks for several
> trains to accommodate passengers.
>
> I recall, back in the fifties, passenger trains
> coming into Conneaut Lake Park, Pa for a railroad
> convention. I think they came in on B&LE tracks.
> Certainty recall B&LE tracks just a few miles from
> the park. Did B&LE ever have passenger service? Or
> was it another line with passenger service
> connecting to Conneaut Lake Park? In fact, CLP
> even had short steam excursion service for a few
> years as a park attraction. Thank you for any
> info.

The branch left the mainline at Meadville jct...presently called MD north. IIRC, this branch passed though the Conneaut lake area and went to Meadville.

Nice photos, PittsburghMike! I never seem to be able to catch the B&LE/CN trains in and out of the North Bessemer yard here in Penn Hills. Do you know about when these trains arrive/depart?

SantaFeRuss

IOTD! Nice!

Posted from iPhone

YES! IOTD!

Congrats Mikey!

~RGDave