Wheeler Bottom PA

west of South Connellsville, north of Dunbar

The STG Boys first found this half of a railroad arch six years ago when tracing the West Penn Railways south out of Connellsville to Dunbar. Back then we did not have access to the USGS maps to understand what railroads where there. Now we know that the PRR, the Western Maryland RR, the B&O RR and the odd O&B shortline all wound through here, topped off by a crossing over by the West Penn Railways. Below is how it appeared as we look south. ( STG Boy No.1 loves his 'panos'; his new digital camera does panoramic shots automatically.)

On the modern Google map ( although it retains railroads long gone ) you can see the tangle of tracks. The arch is in the red circle. The logos are for fun.

This is a gem of a photo from the Dunbar Historical Society that shows the as noted O&B shortline. This is from south of the arch looking to the nortwest. Look closely at what the train is carrying.

Here is a recent attempt to match the photo. Too many trees.

This is a closeup view from the south side.

Remnants of the other bridge abutments are strewn about. See maps below.

Up on the hill are more abutments of some purpose.

This 1906 USGS map shows the bigger area with coke ovens in Wheeler Bottom, at Sitka, Uniondale, Dunbar, Mahaney, Pechin and Leisenring to the west. Note that the Western Maryland did not exist yet.

Let us try and zoom in to see the O&B shortline ( in blue ) which went to the Sitka ovens and to Fayette and on to Leisenring.

This USGS map is updated and is from 1938. The Sitka ovens appear to be gone, but not the railroad tracks. The O&B appears to live on. Look at the huge railroad yard that the Western Maryland built ! So we still have the tangle of the PRR, the B&O, the O&B and now the WMRR. Also by this time 30 years later, US highways are everywhere; US 119 now appears in red.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, the West Penn Railways interurban streetcar line is in place ( since about 1909 ). It had the cross over the three railroad lines with trestles which are now gone.

And a 2008 aerial. The arch is at the far left. Any one know why the B&O abandoned the southern bridge ?

This panoramic shot adds a slight bend to the arch.

All in all, a cool place to visit. Watch for the more extensive Dunbar West Penn Railways page for the same area.