Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad – P&LE

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Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad: ‘The Little Giant’

Historical Origins and Development

Centered in Pennsylvania’s industrial heartland, the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad (P&LE), chartered on May 11, 1875, and operational by 1879, became a cornerstone of the region’s steel economy. Nicknamed the “Little Giant,” it handled one percent of national freight tonnage on just 0.1 percent of U.S. rail mileage, moving coal, coke, iron ore, limestone, and steel to connect Appalachian resources with Pittsburgh’s mills. Frustrated by the Pennsylvania Railroad’s high rates, William McCreery and associates founded P&LE, with funding from steel titans like Andrew Carnegie and New York Central (NYC) affiliates. Construction began in 1878, opening a 64-mile line from Pittsburgh to Youngstown, Ohio, in 1879. By 1883, it leased the Pittsburgh, McKeesport & Youghiogheny Railroad, reaching Connellsville by 1901. NYC took control in 1887, granting operational autonomy. The line thrived during World War II but faced decline post-1940s as steel production waned. After NYC’s 1968 Penn Central merger, P&LE avoided Conrail absorption in 1976 due to profitability, but mill closures led to its 1992 sale.

Key Features and Operations

P&LE’s efficiency stemmed from its compact yet robust network, spanning roughly 230 route miles at its peak. The main line ran from Pittsburgh’s South Side Terminal along the Ohio, Beaver, and Mahoning Rivers to Youngstown’s Haselton neighborhood. Key branches included the Youghiogheny (58 miles to Connellsville) and Monongahela (54 miles to Brownsville), enabling interchanges with B&O and NYC. Notable facilities included the 200-acre Gateway Yard in Youngstown (a 1957 hump yard), McKees Rocks maintenance shops, and a Beaver Falls roundhouse. Freight dominated, powered by steam locomotives like 2-8-4 Berkshires and 2-8-2 Mikados, later replaced by diesels such as EMD GP7s and GE U28Bs in the 1950s. Passenger services, though secondary, included up to 50 daily trains pre-1930s and commuter runs until 1985, with B&O trackage rights for routes like the Capitol Limited until 1971. The standard-gauge line, often four-tracked in busy sections, was designed for heavy-haul freight.

Modern Legacy and Current Status

The P&LE ceased independent operations after its 1993 acquisition by CSX Transportation, briefly operating as Three Rivers Railway before full integration. Today, its main line persists under CSX, handling freight like chemicals and intermodal cargo. Sections from New Castle to Youngstown have been abandoned, with some converted into trails like the Great Allegheny Passage. Gateway Yard has been dismantled, but McKees Rocks is eyed for CSX intermodal upgrades. The Pittsburgh Terminal now thrives as Station Square, a historic commercial hub. In 2024, CSX introduced a heritage locomotive honoring P&LE, preserving its legacy. Though no longer a distinct entity, P&LE’s infrastructure remains integral to Appalachia’s modern rail network, adapting to contemporary logistics needs.

For More Information – Sources and Resources

The following are excellent resources for those of you wanting to explore and learn more about the history and operation of the Appalachian Railroads. These sources of information also serve as reference and historical materials for Appalachian-Railroads.org. Much of the collective railroad history data points on this website are verified across multiple sources.

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