Down by the River - Part 2

[G3750]

Speaking of barges and towboats...

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Here's a closer view, with Steubenville in the background. Note the victorian houses in the top center-right of the photo - part of Steubenville's Historic Victorian district on North 4th Street.

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And now for something completely different - these barges were permanently moored to the bank and have become part of it.

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George

[Tom Dempsey]

On the Columbia, sometimes they push sometimes they tow. I assume that the Captain determines method depending on what the job is.

[rogruth]

I never saw a tow being pulled on the Ohio River.
That does not mean it did not happen.

[rogruth]

George,
The last time I was in Steubenville, @ 2002, the historic district was not looking to great. The only relative I still have in Ohio lives
on top of the hill in Steubenville. (Don't remember the names of hills and other features any more.) I will try to ask her about that
area next time I talk with her. From my younger days I remember a rather beautiful and diverse area.

[G3750]

George,
The last time I was in Steubenville, @ 2002, the historic district was not looking to great. The only relative I still have in Ohio lives
on top of the hill in Steubenville. (Don't remember the names of hills and other features any more.) I will try to ask her about that
area next time I talk with her. From my younger days I remember a rather beautiful and diverse area.

Roger, unfortunately my last drive through the historic district (a few months back) showed essentially the same thing. Those old houses are a mixed bag. Some are in great shape and obviously being maintained. Sadly, others are deteriorating.

The Steubenville marina has undergone significant changes as well. I remember that No. 9 lock was there, but it's gone. Then a number of docks were in place. There were several PRR / Conrail cabeese on the dock and one in town. I think those are gone as well.

George

[healey36]

My understanding is that the Wheeling & Lake Erie had a branch that ran to Steubenville...do you guys recall what facilities, if any, were operated by the W&LE at Steubenville? Station, yard, roundhouse, etc.?

Thanks.

Healey

[G3750]

My understanding is that the Wheeling & Lake Erie had a branch that ran to Steubenville...do you guys recall what facilities, if any, were operated by the W&LE at Steubenville? Station, yard, roundhouse, etc.?

Thanks.

Healey

I only know of the PRR station in Steubenville. I will defer to Roger.

George

[rogruth]

The W&LE had a small yard in the mill at Steubenville and had yards and a roundhouse and other facilities at Mingo Junction. They also had access
to the mill there although the PRR was the main connection. There was a passenger station at Steubenville. The passenger stations are gone but the freight facilities are still there. Hope this helps.

[healey36]

The W&LE had a small yard in the mill at Steubenville and had yards and a roundhouse and other facilities at Mingo Junction. They also had access
to the mill there although the PRR was the main connection. There was a passenger station at Steubenville. The passenger stations are gone but the freight facilities are still there. Hope this helps.

Thanks for that Roger. It looks like Mingo Junction is 4-5 miles south of Steubenville...that's helpful. You speak of passenger 'stations'...did the W&LE have their own depot or was it a single 'union' station with the PRR?

[rogruth]

The stations were separate.
Their main yard in this area was on the north side of Martins Ferry.
I think all of the towns along the river had their own stations for each railroad.

[G3750]

The stations were separate.
Their main yard in this area was on the north side of Martins Ferry.
I think all of the towns along the river had their own stations for each railroad.

Very informative! Mingo Junction was also a major engine facility for the PRR. Locomotives for this part of the Panhandle were serviced and dispatched from MJ.

[healey36]

Yes, very. Doing a bit of research on the W&LE which was purchased by Rockefeller interests in 1915 or 1916 with the intention of merging or operating it in conjunction with the Western Maryland. Of course this presumed they could bridge the gap between Connellsville PA and the easternmost point of the W&LE (maybe Steubenville). Amazing how much money Rockefeller (and Gould before him) burned up trying to get past the PRR/B&ORR/NYCRR chokehold at Pittsburgh.

[J. S. Bach]

Mingo Junction was also a major engine facility for the PRR. Locomotives for this part of the Panhandle were serviced and dispatched from MJ.

From what I recall, Mingo was the home of the last of Conrail's big 6-axle ALCO Centurys.

[rogruth]

Mingo Junction was also a major engine facility for the PRR. Locomotives for this part of the Panhandle were serviced and dispatched from MJ.

From what I recall, Mingo was the home of the last of Conrail's big 6-axle ALCO Centurys.

Yes. I think they were used for iron ore trains from the lakes to the river.