Comments on: The Pittsburgh, Harmony, Butler, and New Castle Railway

By: Wayne Palke

Wayne Palke — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:42:12 +0000

Dear cool folk’s of OUR transportation past! I want to extend each and every one of you Holiday greetings, and to yer family’s as well. God Bless YINZ!! Wayner is doing his own research on the Harmony Route as it was known before April 1931. I have interviewed a great personal friend of mine, George who is 88 years old, served during WW 2 in the 3rd wave over Normandy Beach. Wayner won’t reveal his name, but all I’ll tell ya for now is that he related to me his memorie’s of riding the line from Keown Station, where Babcock Blvd Meet’s 3 Degree Rd. The Electronic’s store that is on that corner at the signal light, and for your information, it was one of two power transforming buildings that converted alternating current to 1,600 volt’s Direct current, on that line. If all of you purchase Mr. Cole’s book, Ghost Rail’s 4, you find out most of the info! Wayner highly recommend’s it. I also could not think of better reading material, with the cold cabin fever setling into our SouthWestern PA region!

By: Peter F

Peter F — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 02:15:51 +0000

Hi Fred,

It looks like we grew up in the same area. I used to use the same trails as you. I lived in the big white house on the bend on Stoup road. The shortline ran right past our house. Remeber the big cleared circle area ontop of the one hill right above the shortline? We used to call it the knob. And that big lake that was down the hill from the old dance hall? The guy that had it built, dug the old line up to put it there. I wonder if we knew each other.

By: justin

justin — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 03:40:24 +0000

I used to live on smiley stop road in wampum pa. just wondering if that was one of the old stops the trolley made and also info on a robbery that occured there in 1909

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:05:59 +0000

Currently, only two people remain alive who owned The Ranch when the trolley car was inside of it. Neither have ever given interviews or discussed the trolley car with anyone outside of immediate family.

Ironic, isn’t it? I mean, so many are writing about this trolley car – yet, no one has actually spoken to either of them.

By: Mark Barnes

Mark Barnes — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:48:16 +0000

Josh, email me…. I can tell you plenty about the Harmony Line and where the tracks ran. Mark.
My email: trainwreck63@gmail.com

By: josh ehrenberg

josh ehrenberg — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 05:55:07 +0000

im 16 years old and the harmony short line ran through my back yard on what is now called hollow road what could you tell me bout it im interested in learning more bout it

By: Wayne Palke

Wayne Palke — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 19:25:55 +0000

Hi Caroline,
The Pa Trolley Museum in Washington, PA has the book. They have a website, and car 115 from the Harmony Line. It needs major restoration, but they are planning to do it. Your next move would be to visit the museum, ride the restored trolleys & have fun checking our nation’s transportation past!
Wayne

By: admin

admin — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 18:18:23 +0000

Hello, pertaining to the P.H.B.& N.C trolley line, by far the most informitive and illustrated book is “Ghost Rails VI Harmony Route – Pittsburgh Harmony Butler & New Castle Railway” – very good book. I am not sure where you can buy it physically but the book is available online.

By: Caroline Young

Caroline Young — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 21:32:56 +0000

I would like to purchase a book on this rail system. Does one exist. Thank you.

By: Fred

Fred — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:26:41 +0000

Butch, I grew up in Mars and can give you by current road the Path of the short line. From Mars towards butler it traveled, down clay ave, on to Dobson Rd, Through McDonals Lake,Rohre’s Pond, I was told that a station was there, and also a Dance Hall on top of the hill (Ive been in it).It crossed Stoup road, Then Valencia road. This is The area I used to ride motorcycles and knew the area well. I don’t know of anyone with the names you Mentioned . Good luck in your search.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:46:25 +0000

I live in Ross township, close to the old station on McKnight road. In my backyard there are old bridge piers that span the valley. I believe they were part of the Harmony line.

By: Butch Davis

Butch Davis — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:31:30 +0000

Hi,
As a kid my family had friends named Kelly or some version of the spelling, who had been neighbors in Harwick, Pa. The family purchased a farm near Mars, Pa and we used to visit there, and often hunted small game there. I can only recall that the son was possibly named Homer and I think Mrs. Kelly was named Mary. I have been curious about finding the farm for many years, and the only clue I have is that the Harmony short line ran through a portion of their acreage. I guess I’m getting sentimental and want to reconnect with some of the places that hold fond memories. If any one has a map showing more clearly the Mars area routing, that could be compared to existing road maps, I would greatly appreciate knowing where to look for the maps, and the farm. Better yet, If anyone knows of the family or the farm, pleasse let me know.
Another clue might be that there was a small stone bridge (abandoned) that my uncles help the family build when they moved, to better get them into the farm. In later years, as the roads changed, they had another lane laid in. The railbed, in my memory, passed near the bridge.
Sincerely,
Butch Davis