Andrico PA

north of New Alexandria,

with many bridges and mines !

The journey to Andrico begins in 1973 west of New Alexandria with the early discovery of the old US 22 bridge and the railroad bridge that went overhead. ( Back then we cruised the “old roads” that were displaced by new 4-lane construction; we were looking for abandoned gas stations and stores because we were collecting old metal signs ). We knew a railroad spur went somewhere north, but that was it. Once we had access to the 1900's USGS maps in 2006, we could more easily determine what to look for.

The 1908 USGS map shows the New Alex branch of the PRR and the spur to the Salemville / Shieldsburg coke ovens. The end of the branch was where the station was ( and where we walked in woods and saw the old foundation ). It was too early for the Andrico mines, of which there would be six or more ( ten ?).

In the 1986 USGS map, the mining around Andrico is evident. The remnants of the PRR branch can be seen. Take note of the Loyalhanna Creek crossing. That will be our first photo.

In this 2008 aerial photo, the PRR branch and spurs are marked in light blue. The PA 981 route marker is next to the remaining homes of Andrico the town.

Ok, enough mapping. Headed north from New Alex, here are the first PRR bridge abutments as found in 2009 by STG Boy no.4, known online as “Medium Roast”. He is not afraid to get the boots on and walk deep into the wilderness to find this stuff. Keep it up, Johnny boy !!!

STG Boy no.4 is going to have to review these following pics for exact locations along the Andrico branch. But for now, enjoy.

R.L. Ackerman has documented the Andrico mines in detail. The PRR branch ended at Tipple no.4. Inclines and small gauge tracks were used to move the coal to the PRR.

This map will be used to plot the location of the photos.

Now try and match this 1939 aerial photo to the drawing above. The aerial begins just above Tipple no. 3. The PRR tracks are in blue. The true north of each does not line up. Sorry.