Ridgeway-PRR depot

In 2010 I rode the Toby bike trail out of Ridgeway. The BR&P depot was occupied and in very good shape. The PRR depot on Rt219 was deplorable and unoccupied. Going back and forth to Dubois, Pa, I kept passing the PRR depot and clearly not recognizing it. I thought, this can't be the depot in ruins....this looks to nice. So this past week I passed it again. But this time, I drove over to the BR&P depot to confirm that was the good one. Happy to report it is still standing and in good shape although it is no longer occupied. Up for sale.

This is the BR&P taken this past week: https://i.postimg.cc/RZvVfVrQ/IMG-1255.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
No significant changes in appearance so far.

But here is the before and after pictures of the PRR depot. After having lost 2 computers I was surprised that I have memory sticks that had these pictures.
The first two pictures were via my arm through the busted door and just pointing the camera.

Before/inside 1: https://i.postimg.cc/QxHqDsYm/PRR-Depot-inside1.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Before/inside 2: https://i.postimg.cc/j5S7hQGc/PRR-Depot-inside2.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Before/outside 1: https://i.postimg.cc/26y1WjZX/PRR-Street-side.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Before/outside 2: https://i.postimg.cc/T325xcP6/PRR-Track-side-view.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The depot is occupied by a painting contractor or something near to that. I tried to go in to get permission to look around by the doors were locked and nobody answered. Outside pics only.

Outside [northerly view]: https://i.postimg.cc/rsdgfLvf/IMG-1258.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Outside [easterly view]: https://i.postimg.cc/FRwn5RbM/IMG-1259.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The condition of this depot to me is amazing compared to 9 years ago. I thought for sure somebody was going to tear it down it was so bad.....at least I thought so. So happy to see it standing in great shape.

That is amazing it was rehabbed. I used to drive by that on trips between State College, PA to Buffalo NY. Great story with positive ending.

Funny, I always thought it was "Ridgeway" and would have swore to that, until I looked at the picture just posted and saw the plaques on the station that had "Ridgway". https://i.postimg.cc/FRwn5RbM/IMG-1259.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Or maybe I'm just geezing. I had to double check on Google maps to see which was right.

I just did one of my short hops to Dubois for Doolittles Depot. Pretty quiet but glad they were open.

I came upon this post and reread it today. I had to laugh that I spelled it incorrectly. I'll pay attention the next time.

I also rode the Toby trail. Its hard to believe its been 10 years since I've been on it. At that time, I only rode to where the B&P crosses back over to the other side. About 8.8 miles from RIDGWAY.

For whatever reason, I got it in my head that "they" ripped up the track that runs along side the trail. So the other day, I rode my bike from RIDGWAY to about 6.5. I was happy to see that the track is still in place and in use. Sad to see the signals turned away. Not being in the best of shape along with it getting cold, I headed back to Ridgway and then down to Dubois. I found a hotel along a track along Rt219. Best Western. No luck on trains passing the hotel.

The next day, I rode the trail again except I started in Brockway. Made it to 8.8 where the track meets the trail. This is the first time I explored this section of the trail. The pictures that are posted along the trail in nearly the same spot as the camera man did 100 years ago is fantastic. The captions beneath the photo's are excellent. My favorite spot was Grove ghost town, stone crusher and the photo.

BTW, I did catch a northbound train near a camp ground. I never did see the locomotive but I assume it was B&P. Thank god for Fall conditions because you wouldn't see the train if the trees were full of leaves.

If you haven't been on this rail to trail, I recommend it highly. Best I've been on so far.

Made my first visit to Ridgway a few days ago. What railroads operate the active rails? There are active rails on the east side of the Clarion River (which, since the sign at the depot says Pennsylvania RR, I assume it used to be the PRR, but who operates trains on the rails now? Same question for the rails on the west side of the Clarion River, the sign says the station was originally Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh RR, but who operates trains on the rails now?

I'm not entirely familiar with Ridgway. I did see a train northbound along the bike path but I never caught the lead locomotives [buried in trees]. I made the assumption they were B&P.

Other posters will have to chime in.

dj_paige wrote: ↑Sun Oct 18, 2020 10:45 am Made my first visit to Ridgway a few days ago. What railroads operate the active rails? There are active rails on the east side of the Clarion River (which, since the sign at the depot says Pennsylvania RR, I assume it used to be the PRR, but who operates trains on the rails now? Same question for the rails on the west side of the Clarion River, the sign says the station was originally Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh RR, but who operates trains on the rails now?

Both lines are operated by Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad. The former Pennsy later became Allegheny RR after Conrail with a section between Jburg and Irvine operated by Sloan Cornell's Johnsonburg, Kane, Warren, and Irvine during CR in the early 80s.
The other line is former Buffalo Rochester and Pittsburgh, B&O.

Great information, @EMTRailfan. Thanks!

I took advantage of the snowfall, and drove down to Ridgway this week. I took Rt949 to where the bridge crosses over the B&P and drove down Game Commissions Rd [T318] and parked at the Conservation Corp parking area for the trail. Perfect spot for me as it is only about 1 mile from where the live track meets the trail. I xc skied from the parking area to about trail marker 6. This is where the live track gets separated from the trail so I stopped there, rested and returned.

As always, I had hoped to catch a train. I was lucky. A northbound B&P came through the area about 12:10pm. I was at about trail marker 8 when it went by. Although I could see it, the trees were thick and wasn't worth getting a picture. I had hoped to be in the clearing from 7.5 to 6 when it passed. I had to cut my own xc ski trail going northbound and made only about 1.25mph. But I was up to 2mph on the return leg in my own track.

I stopped to take in the sites at marker 8 and guess who shows up? B&P southbound rolls through the area at 3pm. I could see him but trees blocked a good picture.

This picture is facing northbound track. Probably around marker 7:

On the other end of the Conservation Corp parking area, I switched to snow shoes. A really nice day. The next time I'll make sure I leave enough time to catch those two trains.
I don't know what this site likes to rearrange my pictures. But when you click on them, they come out fine.

Those are very nice pictures and a nice report. Thanks!