coal loading on the Bullskin Branch         
You see coal trains everywhere but how often do you actually get to see them being loaded? A collaboration of four different railroads team up on this train of SOM (Somerset Railroad Corporation) coal gondolas. A duo of Michigan brand front end loaders was kept busy for about 8 hours filling the train. This line has only recently started being used again to load coal trains. Right now they are doing one train a week/four a month. Im told this train is bound for New York. Back in the 80s was the heyday for this coal yard when the tracks were owned by Conrail and I can still remember the Conrail blues roaming these tracks almost daily. Im taking photos now to make up for the ones I didnt get back then.
Date: 5/27/2011 Location: Connellsville, PA Views: 473 Collection Of:   Curt Beal
Author:  Curt Beal
coal loading on the Bullskin Branch
Picture Categories: RollingStock,Action This picture is part of album:  Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad and Allegheny Valley Railroad (SWP and AVR)
Share
User Comments
Name Type Comments Date
Dave Curtis General This great! Like you said...watching it being loaded. I recognized them SOM coal cars right away because I've spotted them in Lansing, NY before. Norfolk Southern sometimes hauls them to an electric generating facility on the east shore of Cayuga Lake just north of Ithaca, NY. 9/23/2011 9:51:47 PM
Dave Curtis General This IS great, I should say. 9/23/2011 9:54:46 PM

Link to this page: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2557005