CSX Transportation Historical Society

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Summer Vacation 2021 - Pennsy Ghosts at Renovo PA

Rail Fan Adventure --

1. Upon leaving Galeton on Wednesday, 06-23-2021, we headed south on PA 144 to Renovo. This was a long curvy road. PA road map. Port Allegheny. Williamsport. Click here for a larger image.
Upon leaving Galeton on Wednesday, 06-23-2021, we headed south on PA 144 to Renovo. This was a long curvy road. PA road map. Port Allegheny. Williamsport.

2. Renovo was the location of one of the large steam locomotive repair shops on the PRR. The others being Altoona and Columbus which were larger. Renovo started as the central shop of the Philadelphia & Erie in 1863. The shop and yard were enlarged several times, but the repair facility started its decline with the coming of diesel locomotives post WWII. PRR closed the shop in January 1968. Renovo PA ex-PRR shop.
Renovo was the location of one of the large steam locomotive repair shops on the PRR. The others being Altoona and Columbus which were larger. Renovo started as the central shop of the Philadelphia & Erie in 1863. The shop and yard were enlarged several times, but the repair facility started its decline with the coming of diesel locomotives post WWII. PRR closed the shop in January 1968. Renovo PA ex-PRR shop.

3. The roundhouse occupied the area on the left and would have blocked much of the left side of the shop. The three bays on the right were the erecting shop (a bunch of locomotives were built at Renovo). Extending to the left was the boiler shop. Berwick Forge & Fabricating used it for several years to build and rebuild freight cars. Renovo PA ex-PRR shop view 2.
The roundhouse occupied the area on the left and would have blocked much of the left side of the shop. The three bays on the right were the erecting shop (a bunch of locomotives were built at Renovo). Extending to the left was the boiler shop. Berwick Forge & Fabricating used it for several years to build and rebuild freight cars. Renovo PA ex-PRR shop view 2.

4. Boilers were often hung vertically for work. “Renovo Works Div.” Renovo PA ex-PRR shop view 3.
Boilers were often hung vertically for work. “Renovo Works Div.” Renovo PA ex-PRR shop view 3.

5. Machine Shop. Renovo PA ex-PRR shop view 4.
Machine Shop. Renovo PA ex-PRR shop.

6. Looks line a smoke stack. The passenger car shop, paint shop and transfer table and storage buildings, etc. would have covered this area. Renovo PA ex-PRR shop view 5.
Looks line a smoke stack. The passenger car shop, paint shop and transfer table and storage buildings, etc. would have covered this area. Renovo PA ex-PRR shop view 5.

7. Overhead crane between boiler shop and machine shop. Renovo PA ex-PRR shop view 6.
Overhead crane between boiler shop and machine shop. Renovo PA ex-PRR shop view 6.

8. I heard an air horn to the east and start running, careful not to trip on a few remaining rails. Renovo PA ex-PRR shop view 7.
I heard an air horn to the east and start running, careful not to trip on a few remaining rails. Renovo PA ex-PRR shop view 7.

9. The entire yard has been removed on the left. The depot would have been on my right. Sue was happily visiting the new Goodwill Store also on my right. NS 8175-9943. Renovo PA.
The entire yard has been removed on the left. The depot would have been on my right. Sue was happily visiting the new Goodwill Store also on my right. NS 8175-9943. Renovo PA.

10. NS 8175-9943 roll by with westbound #633-22 (Baltimore-Keating-R. J. Corman PA Lines) with 130 empty tubs. I hear trains on the Buffalo Line are now infrequent. Coal trains like this to Clearfield or a local out of Lock Haven to interchange with Driftwood with Western New York & Pennsylvania. NS 8175-9943. Renovo PA.
NS 8175-9943 roll by with westbound #633-22 (Baltimore-Keating-R. J. Corman PA Lines) with 130 empty tubs. I hear trains on the Buffalo Line are now infrequent. Coal trains like this to Clearfield or a local out of Lock Haven to interchange with Driftwood with Western New York & Pennsylvania. NS 8175-9943. Renovo PA.

11. Renovo PA ex-PRR coal dock.
Renovo PA ex-PRR coal dock.

12. Renovo PA ex-PRR coal dock. View 2.
Renovo PA ex-PRR coal dock. View 2.

13. PRR 498313 built in 01-1939. Looks like it is in PRR MofW yellow paint. I think Penn Central used this color also. Renovo PA.
PRR 498313 built in 01-1939. Looks like it is in PRR MofW yellow paint. I think Penn Central used this color also. Renovo PA.

14. Looks line a New Haven class NE-5 steel caboose. It probably got on the property when Penn Central was forced to include the NH. I don’t know if this faux PRR cab ever had the number 411846 under Penn Central or Conrail. Renovo PA.
Looks line a New Haven class NE-5 steel caboose. It probably got on the property when Penn Central was forced to include the NH. I don’t know if this faux PRR cab ever had the number 411846 under Penn Central or Conrail. Renovo PA.

15. Renovo PA ex-PRR coal dock.
Renovo PA ex-PRR coal dock.

16. Renovo PA ex-PRR coal dock. View 2.
Renovo PA ex-PRR coal dock. View 2.

17. There was no restaurant in town, so we bought sandwiches, etc. at the Lingles Food Store and went to the adjacent park to eat. This is a well preserved M-4 Sherman tank with a 76 MM gun. Renovo PA.
There was no restaurant in town, so we bought sandwiches, etc. at the Lingles Food Store and went to the adjacent park to eat. This is a well preserved M-4 Sherman tank with a 76 MM gun. Renovo PA.

18. Renovo PA. Sherman tank. View 2.
Renovo PA. Sherman tank. View 2.

19. Renovo PA Railroad Heritage plaque on the side of Lingles Food Store.
Renovo PA Railroad Heritage plaque on the side of Lingles Food Store.

20. Renovo PA Railroad Heritage plaque. Click here for a larger image.
Renovo PA Railroad Heritage plaque.

21. This plaque was the center spread of the PRR&THS The Keystone Summer 2020 issue. Renovo PA Railroad Heritage. Click here for a larger image.
This plaque was the center spread of the PRR&THS The Keystone Summer 2020 issue. Renovo PA Railroad Heritage.

22. Renovo PA Railroad Heritage plaque. Click here for a larger image.
Renovo PA Railroad Heritage plaque.

23. PRR Northern Region employee time-table #3, 04-28-1957. PRR Main Line Northumberland.
PRR Northern Region employee time-table #3, 04-28-1957. PRR Main Line Northumberland.

24. PRR depot. Renovo PA. Circa 1907.
PRR depot. Renovo PA. Circa 1907.

25. PRR shop. Renovo PA looking south.
PRR shop. Renovo PA looking south.

26. PRR west end yard. Renovo PA. Circa 1944.
PRR west end yard. Renovo PA. Circa 1944.

27. Renovo scene. South Renovo PA.
Renovo scene. South Renovo PA.

28. The bridge has been rebuilt a little further to the west. Renovo West end bridge 1930.
The bridge has been rebuilt a little further to the west. Renovo West end bridge 1930.

29. PRR yard Renovo PA circa 1955. Probably taken from the employee walk bridge.
PRR yard Renovo PA circa 1955. Probably taken from the employee walk bridge.

30. Renovo scene Circa 1964.
Renovo scene Circa 1964.

31. PRR Drocton PA Tower at east end of yard.
PRR Drocton PA Tower at east end of yard.

Further reading:

The Keystone, vol. 27, no. 2, Summer 1994 article “Renovo And The P&E RR”. PRR&THS magazine.

Triumph VII, Harrisburg To The Lakes, Wilkes-Barre, Oil City And Red Bank, 1827-2004, by Charles Roberts and David Messer, 398 pages.

Pennsylvania Railroad Facilities In Color, volume 7, Northern Division, by Bob Yanosey, Morning Sun Books 2010.

From Renovo we headed down the Susquehanna valley to Loch Haven, Avis and Newbury.

Train images used by permission of Everett N Young