Touring the Indian Creek Valley Railroad

Harry has arranged for us to chase the Capital Limited on this mild autumn day. The sun is low in the sky and the shadows have begun to lengthen. The Capital is pulling out of the Connellsville station. She's powered by a BNO Q4B Mikado number 4403 and a P1D Pacific number 5066. Leaving Connellsville, the Capitol slips by the huge freight yard. In the background is the Riverview Hotel, the site of logger frivolities. Seems the men get a bit desirous for female companions after six months in the woods. The observation is named after Harry's grandfather, Simon Geiger, who was burned to death in a railroad accident. Most of the buildings here are based on structures that stood at Cass, West Virginia. This is East Connellsville. The stockyard is affiliated with the Wilson Packing Company. The new water tank is a sure sign that steam will remain the main power for years to come. The double header shake the soot in the Green Junction Bridge. Here are the Davis & Coke Oven, the biggest employer in the area. The coke is used by the mills in Pittsburgh. Below is the Parine coal mine, another source of revenue freight for the ICV. We are approaching Yoder now. Yoder is just a coal tower and water tank along the uphill climb to the spectacular Casselman River crossing. A highway bridge above us leads to Davison Patch, one of the many company towns in the Pennsylvania mountains. Leaving Yoder, the Capital Limited crosses the Green Junction Bridge and heads for the old main line. This was the line's original route. The lower two-track main was added later because the highline grade was too steep for long, heavy freights. A tunnel gets us to the Casselman River Bridge. This is one of the most exciting views on the railroad. We're crossing a steel arch bridge. In front is the stone arch bridge with the new main line. We're climbing now toward Meyersdale. Below is the B&O tunnel to Sand Patch. Here at Meyersdale, number 4403 and 5066 cross the Casselman River again. This time on the Salisbury trestle. The new main is hundreds of feet down in the valley. What a panorama as we approach Indian Creek. The Capital Limited drops behind the Deer Park Hotel, a major resort. It'll soon be on the same grade as the new main. The double headers pass to Cass sawmill before making an entrance into Connellsville.