Trip to Western Pennsylvania

I am wondering if some people familiar with Wesern Pa. can help me. I want to railfan that area but know virtually nothing about that part of the state. I am looking for spots where I can photograph trains as part of industry, especially what is left of the steel industry. I am particularly interested in any short lines or regionals as I get plenty of CSX and NS here around Philly. I can venture into Eastern Ohio to get some good photos if necessary. Thanks for any help you can give me.

Check into:
Buffalo&Pittsburgh
Western New York and Pennsylvania
Bessemer
Allegheny Valley
Union RR

The only directly "steel" RR of this list would be the Union. I have never fanned it or the AVR, but can help with the others. I think shooting the steel mills on the Union is rather limited, and you may get chased off. I am pretty familiar with the B&P, and the Oil City Branch of the WNYP. The Bessemer is pretty much hit or miss. Let me know what you might be interested in, and I will give you more info if I have it.

Thanks, EMT. Actually any of that looks good. I am not familiar with any of those shortlines or regionals. I will be just railfanning, no other business or family so I can go to whatever spots you recommend. I am not limited to some particular location. That thumbnail photo you have is great. Is that from one of those areas you are taliking about ? Any location at any time is ok for me. I can use the Bing maps to get myself around if I just know that that town or mill is a good one. Thanks again.

EMT, I just looked at your pictures and I can see a number of interesting places. The picture I liked best was the train crossing a wooden trerstle in Chicora, Pa. I would like see that train on that trestle myself. I found Chicora on a map but `I have no idea what time a train might come by. Is there any kind of schedule that train follows ? Also I think I will try for Oil City. That looks pretty good. Any particular time when I might see some activity ? Thanks.

kevikens wrote:EMT, I just looked at your pictures and I can see a number of interesting places. The picture I liked best was the train crossing a wooden trerstle in Chicora, Pa. I would like see that train on that trestle myself. I found Chicora on a map but `I have no idea what time a train might come by. Is there any kind of schedule that train follows ? Also I think I will try for Oil City. That looks pretty good. Any particular time when I might see some activity ? Thanks.

BPRR

The Chicora/Petrolia train (BPRR BT-3) is normally a Monday-Friday job. I haven't chased it in over a year (need to do that), but the call time then was 0900. I can hear the DS talking to them from home, and I would guess that 0900 is still the case. They don't usually leave Butler until 1000 at the earliest. What I usually do is head to New Castle before daybreak and chase the BPRR BTNC (my avatar/Ellwood Tunnel) back to Butler. This is an overnighter, returning in the early-mid morning. I then hang around and chase the BT-3. It makes a nice (long and worthwile) day.

The WNYP-

They just changed the schedule for this job (ME-1) It goes from Meadville, PA to Falconer, NY and back on M-W-F. It goes down the Oil City Branch T-R, and sometimes Sunday. The last call time that I heard was 0600. If you would like a chase partner, let me know, and hopefully we can work something out.

check out butler, pa....they have a nice variety of b&p and b&le there. not sure what time the trains run through there, but its an interesting spot for sure.

How about the Conway Yard, north of Pittsburgh along the Ohio river?

For steel mill stuff, head down to Duquesne on Rt. 837. Pull in at the 7-11 store and shoot the USS Braddock steel mill and the RR's down below. A step ladder helps to get high enough. I usually just sit on top of a step ladder and get all of the action down on CSX, NS, and the Union.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=304228