Eastern Railroad Discussion > NS to eliminate derelict structures in Pennsylvania

According to posts on Altoonaworks, these 2 100+ yr. old structures at the Altoona, Pa Juniata shops are being razed this year, and other derelict and unused lineside buildings are also being planned to be eliminated.
This is the result of changes in local and state tax assessments, not known yet if this will become a NS systemwide program.
Last year was the death of the PL signals, this year will it be curtains for AR,MG, and Alto towers?
L. Myers pic



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/22/20 05:38 by bigsavage.

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These are the old Altoona Car Shops.  The near building was for all fabricating and metal forming operations.  The far building was for freight car assembly.  Cabin cars and baggage cars recieved heavy program work here too.  Even after Sam Rea was opened up the fab shop continued to supply components for program and new car construction at Hollidaysburg.

Alto tower is not on that list. It belongs to the railroaders museum accross the tracks.  

Once again, we cannot criticize the railroads for doing this for both tax savings but for the liability issues involved with trespassers and/or derelict's or homeless people using them, possibly setting them on fire or who knows what?  The railroad company is liable for someone getting injured or even worse, if someone dies, watch the family hire a lawyer.
John in White Marsh, Maryland

What little remains of ACL's Emerson Shops at Rocky Mount, NC are being razed for the same reasons.

ctillnc Wrote:
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> What little remains of ACL's Emerson Shops at
> Rocky Mount, NC are being razed for the same
> reasons.

CSX has paid taxes on unused buildings for ages because they deemed it cheaper than putting a demolition crew to work.....if we have any B&B people it'd be their work....but since they are quite few these days, they can write off the cost of a commercial demo crew in one years earnings report, but realize the tax savings every year going forward.....

Alto tower definitely does NOT belong to ARMM. It has been leased by NS to a private restoration group under conditions which are impossible to be met, therefore a so-called "Mexican Standoff".

Don't forget what remains of old tower at Capitol in Harrisburg.

Posted from Android

ClubCar Wrote:
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> Once again, we cannot criticize the railroads for
> doing this for both tax savings but for the
> liability issues involved with trespassers and/or
> derelict's or homeless people using them, possibly
> setting them on fire or who knows what?  The
> railroad company is liable for someone getting
> injured or even worse, if someone dies, watch the
> family hire a lawyer.
> John in White Marsh, Maryland

Which is why CSX torn down the ex Western Maryland shops in Hagerstown, MD years ago. The blizzards of the 90s did them in and there was a problem with the homeless...

Posted from Android

Where is the "old tower at Capitol"?  Harris is just west of the station, and is owned by Harrisburg chapter NRHS as a museum.  State is inside the station building, and is still intact.  They are the only two that I'm aware of.

I'm sure these old buildings are full of asbestos that will have to be safely removed...

PRR1361 Wrote:
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> Where is the "old tower at Capitol"?  Harris is
> just west of the station, and is owned by
> Harrisburg chapter NRHS as a museum.  State is
> inside the station building, and is still
> intact.  They are the only two that I'm aware of.

Up by the east leg of the wye to the Lurgan. Deep on NS property.

Posted from Android

Here's 3 x-PRR structures you have to wonder about...

MG Tower - 5/2013
Newport,PA. station and baggage room - 2011
WW Jenkins photos

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Local legend in Altoona says that MG contains a USGS benchmark of some sort, which (if true) precluded it from being torn down.  While I have been to MG, I did not try to force my way in to see for sure.  Even if its not true, its hard to imagine them trying to raze such a sturdy building in such an out-of-the-way location.

pennsy3750 Wrote:
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> Local legend in Altoona says that MG contains a
> USGS benchmark of some sort, which (if true)
> precluded it from being torn down.  While I have
> been to MG, I did not try to force my way in to
> see for sure.  Even if its not true, its hard to
> imagine them trying to raze such a sturdy building
> in such an out-of-the-way location.

If they were to do it, I'm wondering how long they'd have to disrupt operations to not only get the necessary equipment across the tracks to it and do everything they'd need to do? Would they have to shut down main 3 while the work is being done or just restricted speed through the area? And of course, what goes across must come back.

At least Virginia Avenue Tower in DC is safe, having been totally renovated as a community relations gesture related to the Virginia Avenue Tunnel project.  The tower is now occupied by the CSX Police.

Gordon

OHRY, thanks.  As often as I've been to H'burg and scoped out the CP Paxton area, I never knew about Capitol  I have to assume it was a Reading, not PRR tower, if where you say it is.  I'll take a closer look next time, or ask Keith L. to point itout to me.

Perhaps this will spell the end for the former PRR passenger station in Mifflin, PA, seen here in June 1981. The town of Mifflin is 48 miles west of Harrisburg and 12 miles east of Lewistown.

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onblock Wrote:
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> Perhaps this will spell the end for the former PRR
> passenger station in Mifflin, PA, seen here in
> June 1981. The town of Mifflin is 48 miles west of
> Harrisburg and 12 miles east of Lewistown.

The Mifflin station is still used by NS.  It looks to be in better shape today than the photo you posted.

https://www.redoveryellow.com/position-light/16-09-11_MIDDLE_DIVISION_EAST/PRR_Main-Line-MP-153.9-Mifflin-Sta-eb-angle-wide.html
https://www.redoveryellow.com/position-light/16-09-11_MIDDLE_DIVISION_EAST/PRR_Main-Line-MP-153.9-Mifflin-Sta-west-room-inside.html

mbrotzman Wrote:
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> onblock Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Perhaps this will spell the end for the former
> PRR
> > passenger station in Mifflin, PA, seen here in
> > June 1981. The town of Mifflin is 48 miles west
> of
> > Harrisburg and 12 miles east of Lewistown.
>
> The Mifflin station is still used by NS.  It
> looks to be in better shape today than the photo
> you posted.
>
> https://www.redoveryellow.com/position-light/16-09
> -11_MIDDLE_DIVISION_EAST/PRR_Main-Line-MP-153.9-Mi
> fflin-Sta-eb-angle-wide.html
> https://www.redoveryellow.com/position-light/16-09
> -11_MIDDLE_DIVISION_EAST/PRR_Main-Line-MP-153.9-Mi
> fflin-Sta-west-room-inside.html

The furnace broke down last winter, and NS chose not to repair it. The headquarters for the C&S maintainer at Mifflin was instead moved to Lewistown. The building has been vacant since last winter and the scuttlebutt going around was that it would be torn down.