MAIN LINE-EASTERN, PART II: CONRAIL AND NORFOLK SOUTHERN ON THE EAST END OF THE PRR’s PITTSBURGH, FT. WAYNE, & CHICAGO, 1988-2009

April Program Overview By Dr. Fred Ripley The Pennsylvania Railroad’s four-track main line east from Pittsburgh is justifiably one of, if not the, most famous and photographed pieces of railroad in North America. Less well known, but just as fascinating, are the “Lines West” main lines from Pittsburgh to Chicago and St. Louis. In August of last year, we looked at the very busy operations of Conrail and Norfolk Southern from just northwest of Pittsburgh to the PA-OH state line.

In this program, we’ll start at the former mid-Ohio division point of Crestline, and follow the former Pittsburgh-Chicago main line as it heads through eastern Ohio, passing through varying topography and locations of both scenic beauty and industry.  As the line approaches the eastern end of the state, it becomes the modern-day main line of Norfolk Southern between the east coast and Chicago, and is an impressively busy railroad.  Given the fact that the PRR traditionally ran a significant amount of tonnage via a low-grade freight line, bypassing this section of the main, the railroad east of Alliance, OH, has more freight traffic presently than it ever has.

With an eye towards the history, we’ll see lots of action from the last ten years of Conrail and NS of recent years- big trains in great scenic main line settings, with lots of PRR position light signals, in all seasons and weather. Anyone with an interest in the PRR and its successors, or who just enjoys contemporary big-time railroading, won’t be disappointed.

Refreshments by Donnie and Betty Knight