PRR Car Shops

Norm:

I’m at work and can’t check now but; I don’t recollect any mention of car shops in that area in the Charles Roberts book on the Pittsburgh Division.  I believe PRR did have a shop complex in Derry, PA at the eastern end of the Pittsburgh commuter train territory but; would need to review in the book to say for certain.

Cutt

Norm,

When I was about 12,  in 1956, we kids would hitch-hike to Irwin from Forest Hills, Pa. then go to  Isaly's Dairy store for ice cream, and then  we would walk the PRR main tracks to Shafton, Biddle, etc. 

Just past the Turnpike bridge, we came across (I think) an abandoned power station with  generators and motors still in tact. There were with big breaker panels on the walls and all manner of things laying about. 

There was a stream running parallel to the tracks. where the water pooled a bit so we decided to go skinny dipping. After getting out of the water and not yet dressed a long passenger train came by.   oops! 

We really enjoyed railroads a lot, one time we walked the 4 track main from Irwin to Radebaugh where PRR had a water reservoir  (to us kids it was just another swimming hole) by RG tower which is now named Rade. Fun times for sure!! Of course in those days it was pretty common to use the tracks to walk to our destination as it was the easiest way in otherwise very hilly terrain.

Great memories.  I remember that abandoned building with all of the equipment.  We kids spent a whole bunch of time playing along the tracks and old buildings.  That creek is called Brush Creek.  It meets up with the Turtle Creek in Pitcairn/Wilmerding to flow into the Mon.  There is a whole bunch of Indian lore and local history associated with those creeks.

I hate to tell you that back in those days,Brush Creek was terribly polluted:acid mine drainage and many other nasty pollutants.  We kids called it the "Sulfur Creek" due to it's color and smells.  Now it supports aquatics and even stocked trout at times.  I think that there are still 2 mines that have an effluent that sometimes pollutes the creek.

We may have unknowingly crossed paths along the Mainline back in the day.

I am still searching for info on those old car shops.

Norm

I remember some long type buildings on the right side of the tracks looking east. I think they were lower elevation than the tracks but I vaguely recall a spur leading to the buildings.  Don't recal seeing any cars there though. They seemed to be occupied and active.I could not find any info either about those buildings. 

Thanks for the info about Brush creek. I grew up around coal mines and sulfur streams so I was usually familiar with the smell and sight. I am thinking now that the passenger train came before we went in the water or we knew not to go in but we  had  already undressed. I remember being embarrassed watching  the passenger train go by. Perhaps that train saved us from harming ourselves.

My grandfather worked for the New York Central maintenance in Indianapolis durning the 1930's.  Does anyone know what Class 4 Repairs entail.  This engine was repaired in 4 days

boiler47 posted:

My grandfather worked for the New York Central maintenance in Indianapolis durning the 1930's.  Does anyone know what Class 4 Repairs entail.  This engine was repaired in 4 days

From the Locomotive Cyclopedia
Class 1: New Boiler or back end, flues, new or reset
Class 2: New firebox, one or more shell course; or roof sheet, flues new or reset; tires turned or new
Class 3: Flues all new or reset (superheater flues may be excepted), necessary repairs to firebox and boiler, tires turned or new
Class 4: Flues part of full set, light repairs to boiler, machinery and tender
Class 5: Tires turned or new, necessary repairs to boiler, machinery, and tender; one or more pairs of driving wheel bearings refitted

All classes include general repairs to machinery: driving wheels removed, tires turned or changed, journals turned, and all driving boxes and rods overhauled and bearings refitted, and all other repairs necessary for full term service.

Rusty

Rusty, thank you for the information.  The photo has been in our family for many years and I always wondered what Class 4 repairs were.

Michael

Your best bet re the PRR shops is looking in the Triumph series of books for that area.