Pittsburg and Shawmut Railroad

Railway line

Pittsburg and Shawmut Railroad

Overview
Headquarters| Kittanning, Pennsylvania
Reporting mark| PSR
Locale| Brockway, Pennsylvania to Freeport, Pennsylvania
Successor| Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad
Technical
Track gauge| 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge

P&S Mainline[1]

Legend

| Milepost
(Dist. from
Brockway) |  |

|  | Landmark
(as they were
in 1960)

|
|
|
|

|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  | Erie Interchange
0.0  |  |

|  | (Brockway)
|  |

|  |
0.7  |  |

|  | BR&P
Lanes Viaduct  |  |

|  |
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |
6.0  |  |

|  | Beechton
7.2  |  |

|  | Sugar Hill
|  |

|  |
18.3  |  |

|  | Little Mill Creek Viaduct
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  | Brookville Yard & Shops
20.0  |  |

|  | PRR Interchange
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |
21.0  |  |

|  | Brookville Viaduct
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |
22.9  |  |

|  | Rayard
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |
24.4  |  |

|  | Norman
Conifer Branch  |  |

|  |
|  |

|  | Tait
28.5  |  |

|  | Knoxdale Tunnel
|  |

|  |
29.2  |  |

|  | Knoxdale
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |
33.2  |  |

|  | East Branch
|  |

|  |
33.7  |  |

|  | East Branch Viaduct
|  |

|  |
35.6  |  |

|  | Coulter Tunnel
|  |

|  |
36.4  |  |

|  | Coulter
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |
38.0  |  |

|  | Sprankle
|  |

|  |
38.4  |  |

|  | Sprankle Mills Viaduct
|  |

|  |
39.5  |  |

|  | Mauk Tunnel
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  | Mauk
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |
42.0  |  |

|  | Mines at Dora
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |
44.6  |  |

|  | Timblin
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  | Markle
|  |

|  | McWilliams
|  |

|  | Volomite
51.3  |  |

|  | Mudlick Bridge
|  |

|  | Nitro
51.9  |  |

|  | Sugar Camp Bridge
|  |

|  | Putneyville
|  |

|  | Oakland
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  | Mahoning Bridge
55.4  |  |

|  |
|  |

|  | Colwell Cut Viaduct
|  |

|  | Colwell
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |
60.3  |  |

|  | Mahoning
Widnoon Branch  |  |

|  |
|  |

|  |
62.4  |  |

|  | Mahoning Tunnel
|  |

|  | Henley
|  |

|  |
63.3  |  |

|  | PRR
|  |

|  | Reesedale Bridge
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  | Reesedale
|  |

|  |
66.0  |  |

|  | Dickey
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  | BR&P
|  |

|  |
69.0  |  |

|  | Bridgeburg
|  |

|  | Limestone Jct.
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |
71.0  |  |

|  | Mohican
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |
73.5  |  |

|  | Kittanning
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |
79.0  |  |

|  | Cadogan
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  | Clinton
|  |

|  |
85.2  |  |

|  | Walker Hill
87.2  |  |

|  | Turntable
|  |

|  |
88.0  |  |

|  | Freeport Jct.
|  |

|  | PRR Interchange
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |
|  |  |  |  |  |

The Pittsburg and Shawmut Railroad (reporting mark PSR), also known as the Shawmut Line, was a short line railroad company operating passenger and freight service on standard gauge track in central and southwestern Pennsylvania. Since 2004, it has been operated as part of the Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad,[2] which is owned by Genesee & Wyoming Inc.

## History

[edit]

The Pittsburg and Shawmut Railroad is often confused with the similarly named Pittsburg, Shawmut and Northern Railroad from which the P&S had its origins. Further adding to the confusion is the fact that both were nicknamed the Shawmut Line, both operated in roughly the same geographic area, and both used similar diamond logos during their history. In fact the two were separate and unrelated companies after their 1916 split.[3]

The P&S operated on a single-track main line, with approximately 88 miles (140 km) of standard gauge track extending from Brockway, Pennsylvania to Freeport, Pennsylvania.[4] The railroad operated using timetable and train orders without block systems until at least 1950.[4] The main shops were located in Brookville, Pennsylvania.[5]

### Beginnings

[edit]

The Pittsburg and Shawmut Railroad Company began life on July 21, 1903, as the Brookville and Mahoning Railroad, leased by the Pittsburg, Shawmut and Northern Railroad.[3] When the PS&N declared bankruptcy in 1905, the B&M was spun off into a separate entity and was renamed in 1909 due to confusion with the Boston and Maine Railroad's initials.[3] Coal was the principal commodity for the line for its entire existence.[6] Doodlebugs and passenger trains ran on the route in the early years but had all been eliminated by 1939.[3]

### Recent History

[edit]

By 1986, the Pittsburg & Shawmut had interchanges with Conrail at Brookville and Freeport, and with the Chessie System at Dellwood and West Mongrove.[6]

The company acquired a ten-mile (16 km) section of Conrail track running from Sligo to Lawsonham in 1989 and reorganized it as the Red Bank Railroad[citation needed]. On December 31, 1991, the company purchased about 110 miles (180 km) of the Low Grade Secondary track from Lawsonham to Driftwood, Pennsylvania from Conrail and organized it as the Mountain Laurel Railroad.[citation needed]

The company began using the red Shawmut Line logo in the 1970s. It was identical to the old PS&N RR logo in everything but color.

### Spelling of Pittsburg

[edit]

The spelling of Pittsburgh as Pittsburg derives from the company's origins in the Pittsburg, Shawmut & Northern Railroad. That company was chartered in 1899 when the name of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was commonly spelled without the h. The United States Board on Geographic Names advocated the h-less spelling from 1891 to 1911 in an effort to standardize the spelling of place names in the United States.[7]

## Management

[edit]

Logo used after the takeover by G&W

The Arthur T. Walker Estate Corporation had direct control of the company until 1996, when the railroad was acquired by the Genesee & Wyoming.[6][8] The Genesee & Wyoming operated the Pittsburg & Shawmut Railroad under its own banner until January 1, 2004, when it was absorbed into the Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad, another G&W company. Simultaneously, a new company with the same name was created to purchase the property, which is now operated by the BPRR.[2] (The P&S also acquired the residual common carrier obligation on the lines.) Several portions of the main line were abandoned before the absorption and several others since.

## Locomotive Roster

[edit]

The Pittsburg & Shawmut operated with steam power until the entire steam roster was scrapped in favor of dieselization in late 1953.[9][10] After 1953, motive power consisted of a fleet of EMD SW9 switcher locomotives and, later, EMD GP7s.

In the 1970s, the Pittsburg & Shawmut modified several aspects of the fleet to celebrate the United States Bicentennial: the warm yellow and red color scheme was replaced by red, white, and blue to resemble the nation's flag; locomotives were renumbered in honor of significant years in American history; and the locomotives were nicknamed after American historical figures and arms manufacturers.[9]

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (April 2025)

|

Pittsburg & Shawmut Locomotive Roster [11] Last Engine No./Old Engine No.'s (Name)  | Year built  | Builder  | Type  | Wheel arrangement | Notes  | Image

|
|
|
|
|
|

PS 104  | 1920 | American Locomotive Company | E-1-S Class Atlantic | 4-4-2 | Scrapped November 1938[3] |
PS 105  | 1920 | American Locomotive Company | E-1-S Class Atlantic | 4-4-2 | Scrapped November 1938[3] |
PS 200  | 1911 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | J-Class Mikado | 2-8-2 |  |
PS 201  | 1911 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | J-Class Mikado | 2-8-2 | Scrapped November 1938[3] |
PS 202  | 1913 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | J-Class Mikado | 2-8-2 |  |
PS 203  | 1913 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | J-Class Mikado | 2-8-2 |  |
PS 204  | 1913 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | J-Class Mikado | 2-8-2 |  |
PS 205  | 1913 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | J-Class Mikado | 2-8-2 | Scrapped November 1938[3] |
PS 206  | 1913 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | J-Class Mikado | 2-8-2 |  |
PS 207  | 1913 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | J-Class Mikado | 2-8-2 |  |
PS 208  | 1913 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | J-Class Mikado | 2-8-2 |  |
PS 209  | 1913 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | J-Class Mikado | 2-8-2 |  |
PS 210  | 1913 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | J-Class Mikado | 2-8-2 |  |
PS 211  | 1913 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | J-Class Mikado | 2-8-2 | Scrapped November 1938[3] |
PS 212  | 1914 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | J1-Class Mikado | 2-8-2 |  |
PS 213  | 1914 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | J1-Class Mikado | 2-8-2 |  |
PS 214  | 1914 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | J1-Class Mikado | 2-8-2 |  |
PS 215  | 1914 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | J1-Class Mikado | 2-8-2 |  |
PS 216  | 1914 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | J1-Class Mikado | 2-8-2 |  |
PS 217  | 1914 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | J1-Class Mikado | 2-8-2 |  |
PS 226  | 1911 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | H-Class Consolidation | 2-8-0 |  |
PS 227  | 1911 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | H-Class Consolidation | 2-8-0 | Scrapped November 1942[3] |
PS 228  | 1911 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | H-Class Consolidation | 2-8-0 | Scrapped December 1940[3] |
PS 229  | 1911 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | H-Class Consolidation | 2-8-0 | Scrapped November 1938[3] |
PS 570/MON 570  | 1929 | American Locomotive Company | J4 Class Mikado | 2-8-2 | Acquired from the Monon Railroad in 1947.[11] Scrapped in 1953.[10] |
PS 571/MON 571  | 1929 | American Locomotive Company | J4 Class Mikado | 2-8-2 | Acquired from the Monon Railroad in 1949.[11] Scrapped in 1953.[10] |
PS 572/MON 572  | 1929 | American Locomotive Company | J4 Class Mikado | 2-8-2 | Acquired from the Monon Railroad in 1949.[11] Scrapped in 1953.[10] |
PS 573/MON 573  | 1929 | American Locomotive Company | J4 Class Mikado | 2-8-2 | Acquired from the Monon Railroad in 1947.[11] Scrapped in 1953.[10] |
PS 574/MON 574  | 1929 | American Locomotive Company | J4 Class Mikado | 2-8-2 | Acquired from the Monon Railroad in 1947.[11] Scrapped in 1953.[10] |
PS 575/MON 575  | 1929 | American Locomotive Company | J4 Class Mikado | 2-8-2 | Acquired from the Monon Railroad in 1947.[11] Involved in a 1950 collision with a motor-truck in Timblin, PA, killing one employee and injuring one employee.[4] Scrapped in 1953.[10] |
PS 577/MON 577  | 1929 | American Locomotive Company | J4 Class Mikado | 2-8-2 | Acquired from the Monon Railroad in 1947.[11] Scrapped in 1953.[10] |
PS 579/MON 579  | 1929 | American Locomotive Company | J4 Class Mikado | 2-8-2 | Acquired from the Monon Railroad in 1949.[11] Scrapped in 1953.[10] |
PS 1775/PS 231 (Independence)  | 1953 | EMD | SW9 | B-B | Sold to the Lycoming Valley Railroad[12] |
PS 1866/PS 232 (Oliver Winchester)  | 1953 | EMD | SW9 | B-B | As of April 28th, 2025, PS #1866 serves as AERC #1866 on the Albany & Eastern Railroad in Oregon.[13] |
PS 1774/PS 233 (Ben Franklin)  | 1953 | EMD | SW9 | B-B |  |
PS 1891/PS 234 (John Browning)  | 1953 | EMD | SW9 | B-B |  |
PS 1851/PS 235 (Sam Colt)  | 1953 | EMD | SW9 | B-B |  |
PS 1865/PS 236 (B. Tyler Henry)  | 1953 | EMD | SW9 | B-B | As of May 24th, 2025, PS #1865 serves as JVRR #2106 for the Juniata Valley Railroad in central Pennsylvania.[14] |
PS 1949/PS 237 (Bill Ruger)  | 1953 | EMD | SW9 | B-B |  |
PS 1816/PS 238 (Eliphalet Remington)  | 1953 | EMD | SW9 | B-B | Sold to the Lycoming Valley Railroad[12] |
PS 1776/PS 239 (Betsy Ross)  | 1953 | EMD | SW9 | B-B | Sold to the Lycoming Valley Railroad[12] |
PS 357/RDG 608 (Dan Wesson)  | 1953 | EMD | GP7 | B-B | Rather than a year, this locomotive's number is a reference to the .357 Magnum, invented by Dan B. Wesson. Locomotive purchased from the Reading Railroad in 1975, set aside in 1981, and scrapped in March 1986.[9] |
PS 10/CR 5672/PC 5672/NYC 5817  | 1953 | EMD | GP7 | B-B | Purchased from Conrail in 1981. First in service for the P&S in 1982.[9] |
PS 11/CR 5818/PC 5818/NYC 5818/C&O 5720  | 1951 | GMD | GP7 | B-B | Purchased from Conrail in 1981. First in service for the P&S in 1985.[9] |

## External links

[edit]

* railways portal

* Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad
* The Shawmut Line
* Pittsburg, Shawmut & Northern Railroad Company

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Untitled" (Track Chart). Pittsburg & Shawmut Railroad Co. Jan 1, 1960.
2. ^ a b U.S. Department of Transportation (2004). "Pittsburg & Shawmut Railroad, LLC-Acquisition Exemption-Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad, Inc". U.S. Federal Register. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Allen, C. F. H. (1944). "The Pittsburg & Shawmut Railroad Co". The Railway and Locomotive Historical Society Bulletin (64): 42–44\. JSTOR 43517388. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
4. ^ a b c Bartel, W. P. (1950). Report of the Accident Investigation Occurring on the PITTSBURG AND SHAWMUT RAILROAD, TIMBLIN, PA (Report). United States. Interstate Commerce Commission. doi:10.21949/1509510.
5. ^ Burns, Adam. "Pittsburg & Shawmut Railroad, "The Shawmut Line"". American-Rails.com.
6. ^ a b c Lewis, Edward A. American Shortline Railway Guide. Kalmbach Publishing Company. p. 170.
7. ^ United States Board on Geographic Names (1892). First report of the United States Board on Geographic Names. 1890–1891. U.S. Govt. Print. Off. p. 34. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
8. ^ U.S. Department of Transportation (1996). "Pittsburg & Shawmut Railroad, Inc. Acquisition and Operation Exemption Rail Lines Controlled by Arthur T. Walker Estate Corporation (The Pittsburg & Shawmut Railroad Company, Red Bank Railroad Company and Mountain Laurel Railroad Company) [9544]". Retrieved 16 April 2025.
9. ^ a b c d e Backenstose, Paul (1–8 August 1993). The Pittsburg & Shawmut Railroad. NMRA National Convention. Valley Forge Express, Inc.
10. ^ a b c d e f g h i Gidel, Roy M. (May 30, 1954). "A Cordial Welcome to the Members and Guests of Midwest Chapter, National Railway Historical Society, Inc. on the Occasion of Their Visit By Special Rail Fan Train on SUNDAY, MAY 30, 1954" (Document). Kittanning, PA: Pittsburg & Shawmut Railroad Company.
11. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville 2-8-2 "Mikado" Locomotives in the USA". steamlocomotive.com. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
12. ^ a b c Adams, Richard; Klapp, William; Van Derveer; Walker, Craig. "Lycoming Valley Railroad". thedieselshop.us. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
13. ^ "About Santiam Excursion Trains | Lebanon Oregon". santiamexcursions.com. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
14. ^ "Juniata Valley Railroad: Route, Roster, Operations". american-rails.com. Retrieved 24 May 2025.

* v
* t
* e

Class I railroads of North America

Current|

| United States|

* AMTK
* BNSF
* CN (GTC)
* CPKC
* KCS
* SOO
* CSX
* NS
* UP

|

Canada|

* CN
* CPKC
* CP
* VIA

Mexico|

* CPKC
* KCSM
* FXE

Former|

| 1956–present|

* AA
* ACL
* AC&Y
* AGS
* ASAB
* AT&N
* AT&SF
* AUT
* A&WP
* B&AR
* B&M
* BN
* B&O
* CAR&NW
* CB&Q
* C&EI
* CG
* CGW
* C&IM
* CNJ
* CNO&TP
* C&NW
* C&O
* CPME
* CR
* CRR
* C&S
* CS
* CSPM&O
* CV
* C&W
* C&WC
* DH
* DL&W
* DM&IR
* D&RGW
* DSS&A
* DT&I
* D&TSL
* DW&P
* EJ&E
* EL
* ERIE
* FEC
* FW&D
* GA
* GB&W
* G&F
* GM&O
* GN
* GS&F
* GTW
* IC
* ICG
* ITC
* KO&G
* L&A
* L&HR
* LI
* L&M
* L&N
* L&NE
* LS&I
* LV
* MEC
* MGA
* MI
* MILW/CMStP&P
* MIS
* MKT
* MN&S
* MON
* MP
* M&STL
* NC&STL
* NH
* NKP/ NYC&StL
* NYS&W
* NO&NE
* NP
* NS
* N&W
* NWP
* NYC
* NYCN
* NYO&W
* PC
* P&LE
* P&N
* PRR
* PRSL
* P&WV
* RDG
* RF&P
* RUT
* QA&P
* RI/CRIP
* S&A
* SAL
* SBD
* SCL
* SD&AE
* SI
* SIRT
* SLSF
* SLSFTX
* SN
* SOO/MStP&SSM
* SOU
* SP
* SP&S
* SSW
* TC
* TFM
* TM
* T&NO
* T&P
* TP&W
* VGN
* WA
* WAB
* WC
* WM
* WP

|

pre-1956|

* A
* AB&A
* AB&C
* AC
* A&D
* A&STL
* BA&P
* BC&A
* B&G
* BRI
* BR&P
* B&S
* BSL&W
* C&A
* CA&C
* C&C
* CCC&STL
* C&E
* C&G
* CH&D
* C&I
* CINN
* CI&S
* CI&W
* CL&N
* CM
* CM&PS
* CNE
* CNNE
* CNOR
* CP&STL
* CPVT
* CRI&G
* CR&NW
* CRP
* CVRR
* DGH&M
* D&IR
* D&M
* DM&N
* DNW&P
* D&SL
* EP&SW
* E&TH
* F&CC
* FJ&G
* FS&W
* FW&RG
* GC&SF
* GH&SA
* GM&N
* GR&I
* G&SI
* HE&WT
* H&TC
* HV
* ICRY
* IGN
* KCM&O
* KCM&OTX
* LA&SL
* LE&W
* LS&MS
* MC
* MD&V
* M&I
* M&NA
* M&O
* MSC
* MTR
* MV
* NCRY
* NJ&NY
* NN
* NOT&M
* NYP&N
* OCAA
* OE
* OR&L
* OSL
* OWRN
* PB&W
* PCC&STL
* PCO
* PE
* P&E
* PM
* PRDG
* P&S
* P&SF
* PS&N
* SA&AP
* SB&NY
* SD&A
* SFP&P
* S&IE
* SJ&GI
* SLB&M
* SLIM&S
* SOUMS
* SSWTX
* T&BV
* T&FS
* T&N
* T&OC
* TSTL&W
* U&D
* UTAH
* VAND
* VS&P
* WJ&S
* W&LE
* WPT
* WSN
* WV
* Y&MV

Timeline|

* 1910–1929
* 1930–1976
* 1977–present

Railroads in italics meet the revenue specifications for Class I status, but are not technically Class I railroads due to being passenger-only railroads with no freight component.

* v
* t
* e

Railroads of Pennsylvania

Common carriers|

* Aliquippa and Ohio River Railroad
* Allegheny Valley Railroad
* Belvidere and Delaware River Railway
* Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad
* Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad
* Brandywine Valley Railroad
* Canadian Pacific Kansas City
* Chestnut Ridge Railroad
* Central New York Railroad
* Columbia and Reading Railway
* CSX Transportation
* Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad
* Eastern Berks Gateway Railroad
* East Erie Commercial Railroad
* East Penn Railroad
* Everett Railroad
* Gettysburg and Northern Railroad
* Juniata Valley Railroad
* Kasgro Rail Lines
* Kiski Junction Railroad
* Lehigh Railway
* Luzerne and Susquehanna Railway
* Landisville Railroad
* Lehigh Valley Rail Management: Bethlehem Division
* Lycoming Valley Railroad
* Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad
* McKeesport Connecting Railroad
* Maryland Midland Railway
* Mittal Steel Railways
* Nittany and Bald Eagle Railroad
* New Castle Industrial Railroad
* NDC Railroad
* New Hope Railroad
* New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway
* Norfolk Southern Railway
* North Shore Railroad
* Oil Creek and Titusville Railroad
* Pittsburgh, Allegheny and McKees Rocks Railroad
* Pennsylvania Northeastern Railroad
* Pittsburgh and Ohio Central Railroad
* Pennsylvania and Southern Railway
* Pennsylvania Southwestern Railroad
* Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad
* R.J. Corman Railroad/Allentown Lines
* R.J. Corman Railroad/Pennsylvania Lines
* Stourbridge Railroad
* Steelton and Highspire Railroad
* SMS Rail Lines
* Strasburg Rail Road
* Shamokin Valley Railroad
* Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad
* Towanda–Monroeton Shippers Lifeline
* Tyburn Railroad
* Union County Industrial Railroad
* Upper Merion and Plymouth Railroad
* Union Railroad
* Wellsboro and Corning Railroad
* Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway
* Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad
* York Railway
* Youngstown and Southeastern Railroad

Passenger carriers|

* Amtrak
* NJ Transit Rail Operations
* SEPTA Regional Rail

Private carriers|

* Cumberland Mine Railroad
* EASX Railroad
* Philadelphia Belt Line Railroad

Heritage railroads|

* Allentown and Auburn Railroad
* Colebrookdale Railroad
* Duquesne Incline
* East Broad Top Railroad and Coal Company
* Electric City Trolley Museum
* Fayette Central Railroad
* Johnstown Inclined Plane
* Kiski Junction Railroad
* Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad
* Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad
* Monongahela Incline
* New Hope Railroad
* Oil Creek and Titusville Railroad
* Pioneer Lines Scenic Railway
* Pennsylvania Trolley Museum
* Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
* Rockhill Trolley Museum
* Strasburg Rail Road
* Tioga Central Railroad
* West Chester Railroad
* Wanamaker, Kempton and Southern Railroad

* See also: Former carriers in Pennsylvania
* List of United States railroads by political division

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template