Skip to main content

Lest you think that I'm only fixated on the bridge across the Ohio (yeah, we all know the truth.  ), here are some photos of culverts and bridges on the PRR Panhandle from the river towards Colliers, WV.

Below is Harmon Creek and in the background, what used to be the center of the Revolutionary-era village of Holliday's Cove, WV.  In the foreground is the bridge (automobile) across the creek that led from Holliday's Cove to Colliers, WV.

DSCN2374

Better shot of the bridge abutment. 

DSCN2373

That road to Colliers went under the Panhandle at what was commonly called "the rat hole", a narrow tunnel or culvert originally built to accommodate horse-drawn wagons and later Model T sized automobiles.  It was used well into the 20th Century by cars until a new road was built and the property was acquired by the lumber yard.

DSCN2372

At that point, the "rat hole" was partially filled in (floor was raised) and dedicated to drainage use.

DSCN2371DSCN2370

Note the Pennsy hairpin railings. 

DSCN2369

The "Standard Railroad of the World" had standard handrails.

DSCN2368

This is the Panhandle roadbed looking east towards Colliers, WV and Burgettstown, PA.  It is now a rail trail.

DSCN2367

PRR Panhandle looking west.

DSCN2366

There is a Geodetic survey marker here atop the culvert.

DSCN2362

Further east is another bridge across Harmon Creek.  I refer to it as "the three arches" - it doesn't have a real name as far as I know.  Harmon Creek originates in Pennsylvania and flows into the Ohio River at Holliday's Cove (roughly east to west).  It parallels much of the Panhandle at this point.

DSCN2378

The "three arches" bridge is constructed of stone, as older photographs prove.  Some time ago, the stone was faced with concrete, but you can still see the underlying stone here and there.

DSCN2377DSCN2376DSCN2375

We didn't actually visit here on this trip, but I thought I would include it for completeness.  To get here, you would travel east through the village of Colliers (on the "new" road).  Just on the other side of bridge, the pavement becomes gravel.

Ancient Low Bridge

Hope you enjoyed the travelogue.

George

Attachments

Images (15)
  • DSCN2374
  • DSCN2373
  • DSCN2372
  • DSCN2371
  • DSCN2370
  • DSCN2369
  • DSCN2368
  • DSCN2367
  • DSCN2366
  • DSCN2362
  • DSCN2378
  • DSCN2377
  • DSCN2376
  • DSCN2375
  • Ancient Low Bridge
Last edited by G3750
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

PRRMiddleDivision posted:

George,

Thank you for posting this. Yes, I clearly share your love of the great "STANDARD RAILROAD OF THE WORLD!" I enjoy biking the Panhandle trail, and hope to bike the segment west of Burgettstown later this year. Can't wait to see your new layout.

Thanks Neal.  You've set a very high bar for modeling the Pennsy.  I hope the new Panhandle is half as good.

George

rtr12 posted:

I enjoy the pictures. Pretty neat that you know something about each item in the pictures and were able to find the information as well. I have had trouble finding any info at all on an old abandoned thing or two around here. 

Thank you, but I am the beneficiary of a ton of reference material.  I also did this trip with my classmate and friend, Dennis Jones.  He is the director of the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center and knows a ton about the area.  The museum is a treasure-trove of historical materials.

George

Add Reply

Post
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×