Re: (erielack) Erie Split Mains

["Walt Fles" <eriewalt_@_hotmail.com>]

In addition to this question, how "wide" did he split main get?  Here in
Indiana it was 6 rods according to old maps, ie, 99 feet.

- ----- Original Message -----
From: "A Samostie" <quahog_@_sprint.ca>
To: <erielack_@_lists.railfan.net>
Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2002 4:52 PM
Subject: (erielack) Erie Split Mains


> Dear Group,
>
> We've discussed clearances and Erie/EL's reputation as the "high and
> wide" route quite a bit.  However, I'm only familiar with the standard
> width right-of-way east of Akron.
>
> My question is, at what point did the widely-separated "split mains"
> begin?  Were there places where the two mains came close together
> (through towns, at grade crossings, etc.), then split apart again
> through the countryside?
>
> The Erie must have gotten a really cheap deal on land when building the
> West End... but given present-day property tax rates, I can see why
> Conrail would try to get rid of it, even if it had higher traffic
> levels.  Too bad, really... I imagine property tax rates in Indiana pale
> in comparison to those in New York State (even rural Upstate).
>
> It was really neat to see a tower *between* the split mains on the
> inside back cover of the recent issue of The Diamond... something you
> aren't likely to see on any other railroad, even in the wide-open west!
> Were there any other major structures (e.g. grain elevators) between the
> split mains?
>
> Cheers,
> Alan <quahog_@_sprint.ca>
>
>

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