Re: (erielack) Erie Split Mains - egg on face Question

[Smtimko_@_aol.com]

Between Corry, PA and Jamestown, NY lies NE Jct (Niobe, NY) and CM Jct 
(Columbus, Pa).

The EL had two routes between NE Jct (MP 47.0) and CM Jct (MP 56.2).  The 
Main Line, so to speak went over Bear Lake Hill (Bear Lake, PA), and as you 
can see from the above, the "Bear Lake Line" was 9.2 miles long.

The Columbus & Erie RR (C&E RR) ran AROUND Bear Lake Hill, to the South 
between CM and NE and was 13.2 miles in length, passing through Lottsville, 
PA.  The C&E RR had it's own MP, starting at Niobe (NE JCT) MP 0.0 and ending 
at CM Jct MP 13.2.  The NY/PA State line was at MP 1.57 on the C&E and MP 
49.2 on the Old Line.

Both lines were CTC but the C&E was usually used for EB trains and the Old 
Line or the Bear Lake Line was used for WB Trains.  If trains were too heavy, 
they had to go C&E, but usually was not a problem.  Eastbound trains were 
usually heavier on EL.

Conrail abandoned and removed the Old Line so the C&E remains and is in use 
by the Western New York & Pennsylvania RR.

Salamanca, NY was MP S-0.0 and Meadville was MP S-102.5.  Back in the days of 
the 100 mile day for crews, the crews made 2.5 extra miles running between 
the above points.  If the train operated via C&E RR, they made an additional 
4.0 miles.  Sometimes, the EB passenger trains were run Old Line......this 
resulted in a 30 MPH crossover at CM and a 30 MPH crossover at NE.  The crew 
made 4 miles less pay also.

Hope this helps you understand the arrangement.

SMT

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