WNY&PA Trackcar Run

On Saturday the 28th, we ran from the Olean engine house almost into Hornell, about 126 miles round trip, under perfectly clear skies through the beautiful mountainous terrain dotted with side hill farms where the cows all have one pair of legs shorter than the other side. I was quite surprised to see that the trees were just starting to bud in the southern Tier while at home our leaves are 3/4 full yet I am at least 120 miles to the north of Olean. The budding colors, while they are muted, are reminders of the fall. This segment is on clickity-clack stick rail and we averaged about 22 to 25 mph on that.

Starting out on a frosty Sunday morning we ran from Olean to well past Emporium on welded rail, typically maintaining an average speed of 25 to 30 mph. A nice pace that helps keep you on your toes. The crossing gate system in this section is set up so that the gates go down as a large steel object passes over a metal plate in the gauge. Our cars are mostly aluminum but the wheels and axles still occasionally set off the gates. This is a nasty situation as a gate can come down on an automobile suddenly. We have a rule concerning shunting to avoid that gate problem so it was a relief when we were told by the railroad that it was not someone's car setting off the gates, but the odd system they use to trigger the gates.

It appears the WNY&PA does a considerable tank car business as there are strings of tanks all over their lengthy yard. Unfortunately we did not see any "train" activity operating on the line as we did last year when we were treated to a freight hauled by 3 ex-QNS&L ALCo's. There was a string of ALCO's behind the enginehouse and a couple of old Russell plows and a dump car as well as several Union Pacific coaches and one from Atlantic Railcar that looked pretty snappy.

After the run, we all load up our cars on trailers, say goodbye to many many friends, thank the railroad crewmen for their help (and we give a "good" tip to our guide in addition to the railroad fee and his regular pay BTW). Railroad crews acting as our pilot usually bring along their family to enjoy the unique experience. It's fun! Most of the riders and operators are more "railroad-wise, educated tourista" than railfans which always seems odd to me but at least I am not fighting for a place in the photo-op lineup and I get shots that only railroad crews can get.

William "Maddog" Kozel