Disused rail line in Pittsburgh overtaken by nature

News or chat about railroad info that pertains to the entire United States, another state, or country.
mach69
Railroadfan...fan
Posts: 122
Joined: Thu Jun 25, 2020 3:35 pm

Disused rail line in Pittsburgh overtaken by nature

Unread post by mach69 »

Just found this fragment of rail line in Pittsburgh's south side. It's located near Saw Mill Run Boulevard and also has a bridge crossing over Interstate 376.

Anyone know what the backstory behind this is?

User avatar
AARR
Incognito and Irrelevant
Posts: 39006
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:39 pm
Location: Washington, MI

Re: Disused rail line in Pittsburgh overtaken by nature

Unread post by AARR »

I don't see the pictures.
PatC created a monster, 'cause nobody wants to see Don Simon no more they want AARR I'm chopped liver, well if you want AARR this is what I'll give ya, bad humor mixed with irrelevant info that'll make you roll your eyes quicker than a ~Z~ banhammer...

User avatar
sparrow24
Railroadfan...fan
Posts: 727
Joined: Wed Mar 10, 2021 11:02 am
Location: South Lyon, MI

Re: Disused rail line in Pittsburgh overtaken by nature

Unread post by sparrow24 »

I thought maybe I needed to adjust my vertical/horizontal hold... but that didn't do it.
"Sparrow24 could be described as a mediocre railfan, as he is generally disinterested in horn types and couldn't tell you one locomotive from another."

mach69
Railroadfan...fan
Posts: 122
Joined: Thu Jun 25, 2020 3:35 pm

Re: Disused rail line in Pittsburgh overtaken by nature

Unread post by mach69 »

Here are the pictures.
Attachments
Screenshot from 2024-05-11 07-50-04.png
Screenshot from 2024-05-11 07-49-50.png

User avatar
Standard Railfan
Railroadfan...fan
Posts: 1822
Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 7:25 pm
Location: Marquette, MI

Re: Disused rail line in Pittsburgh overtaken by nature

Unread post by Standard Railfan »

I believe the line in question is either the West Side Belt RR or the Pittsburgh and West Virginia. The P&WV was part of the Wabash and bought the WSBRR out of bankruptcy in 1908.

These two lines ran near each other but at different elevations.
I do not know which line is still in service and the two lines may have been combined at some point.

To the east near the Pittsburgh Salt Department you can see the grade through the Wabash tunnel which ran to the Wabash station on the north side of the river.

User avatar
Michael
Stuck in mud
Posts: 11451
Joined: Sun Sep 12, 2010 2:52 pm
Location: Plymouth, Michigan

Re: Disused rail line in Pittsburgh overtaken by nature

Unread post by Michael »

https://www.abandonedrails.com/west-end-branch
Good website for abandoned rail lines

User avatar
DT&I
Commodore Perry
Posts: 2975
Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2011 4:26 pm

Re: Disused rail line in Pittsburgh overtaken by nature

Unread post by DT&I »

Former P&WV/NKP/NW/WE West Belt Branch, came off at West Belt Jct near milepost 52, went down to the river and connected to the P&LE and was abandoned in the mid-1990’s after the CSX takeover due to interchange traffic being completely shifted to Connellsville.
I'm just here to put in time claims and complain

brianpwestgate
Railroadfan...fan
Posts: 10
Joined: Mon Oct 02, 2023 5:02 pm

Re: Disused rail line in Pittsburgh overtaken by nature

Unread post by brianpwestgate »

A couple years ago or so I saw some people walking across the West Side Belt bridge. I don't think I've ever seen any trains on the P&WV high bridge there, but would often see them further down 376 on the high bridge over the expressway heading out of Rook Yard.

Post Reply