Wikipedia:WikiProject Trains/ICC valuations/Pittsburg and Shawmut Railroad

Interstate Commerce Commission Valuation Reports, Volume 31

Pittsburg and Shawmut Railroad

Location and General Description of Property

The railroad of the Pittsburg & Shawmut Railroad Company, herein called the carrier, is a single-track, standard-gage, steam railroad, located in western Pennsylvania. The main line extends southwesterly from Erie Junction to Freeport, 87.971 miles. There are several short branches, the most important of which project from Norman to Conifer, Oakland Junction to Seminole, and Tidal Junction to Chickasaw. The carrier owns 101.637 miles of main track and 49.904 miles of yard tracks and sidings. Its road thus embraces 151.541 miles of all tracks wholly owned and used. In addition, the carrier jointly owns and uses with other carriers 0.594 undivided mile of yard tracks and sidings; its portion thereof, based on ownership, being 0.297 mile.

The property of the carrier was operated from February 2, 1908, to August 31, 1916, by the receiver of the Pittsburg, Snawmut and Northern Railroad Company, under lease agreements, and by the carrier's own organization from September 1, 1916, to December 31, 1917. The carrier's common-carrier property was taken over for operation by the United States Railroad Administration on January 1, 1918, and was so operated on date of valuation.

Introductory

The carrier is a corporation of Pennsylvania, having its principal office at Kittanning, Pa. It was originally incorporated as the Brookville & Mahoning Railroad Company, which was later changed to Pittsburg & Shawmut Railroad Company and later, changed to the present name. The carrier is controlled, through ownership of about 98.8 per cent of its capital stock, by Thos. H. Hubbard & Company, of New York City. The carrier does not control any common-carrier corporation, but controls the Allegheny River Mining Company through ownership of its entire capital stock except directors' qualifying shares.

Physical Conditions Affecting Construction

The country traversed by this road is mountainous. Between Erie Junction and Mahoning the line lies in the Red Bank Creek and Mahoning Creek drainage. After crossing the Allegheny River at Mahoning the line follows the west bank of that stream to Freeport. The soil is clay and gravel overlying shale and sandstone, with some limestone.

Economic Conditions Relating to Traffic

Agricultural development in this territory is quite general. The best farms are located on the higher land, away from the line.

The principal industry of this locality is the mining of bituminous coal, there being many mines along the line.

Physical Characteristics of Road

The grading is heavy, averaging about 63,000 cubic yards per mile, of which about 40 per cent is classified as solid rock.

There are five tunnels on the road, with an aggregate length of 6.68S feet. All tunnels are driven and lined throughout with concrete or timber.

Metal bridges in general are of the deck-plate girder or I-beam type. The most important structure is the crossing of the Allegheny River at Mahoning. This bridge is 1,123 feet long and consists of three 237-foot and one 397-foot through-pin truss spans on two concrete abutments and three piers. There are also a number of concrete arches on the road.

About 8 per cent of the crossties in the main tracks are treated. The untreated ties are chiefly oak and chestnut. The number of ties per mile of main track is about 2,650. The main track is laid principally with new 85-pound rail. The tracks are ballasted with gravel, broken stone, and cinders.

Corporate History

The carrier was incorporated July 21, 1903, under the general laws of Pennsylvania. It was incorporated originally as the Brookville & Mahoning Railroad Company, but changed its name to Pittsburg & Shawmut Railroad Company on August 28, 1909, and to its present title on January 3, 1910. The carrier perfected its organization on July 26, 1903.

Development of Fixed Physical Property

The carrier acquired its owned mileage by construction, which was begun in April, 1905, and completed in sections from 1907 to 1917. The first completed sections were opened for operation, February 2, 1908. The years when the various portions of the road were constructed are indicated in the following table.

Erie Junction to Port Barnett, Pa. Mileage 19.5

Constructed under contract by the Miller Construction Company, June, 1906, to January, l908.

Port Barnett to Tait, Pa. 8.0

Constructed by company forces, April, 1905, to July, 1908.

Tait to Mahoning, Pa. 36.0

Constructed under contract by James H. Corbett, December, 1909, to December, 1911.

Mahoning to Freeport, Pa. 24.5

Constructed partly by company forces and partly under contract by James H. Corbett. Construction was begun in June, 1905, and suspended in February, 1907; resumed by Corbett in September, 1909, and suspended in May, 1911; again resumed by Corbett in 1912 and completed by him in sections, 1913 to 1917, inclusive.

Various short branch lines, aggregating. 15.0

Constructed partly by company forces and partly by contract, various dates.

Total recorded mileage. 103.0

Difference between total recorded mileage and mileage inventoried as of date of valuation. 1.363

Mileage inventories as of date of valuation. 101.637

The records reviewed do not indicate what affiliation, if any, existed between the carrier and the contractors mentioned.