This file has not been completely proofread, nor have the sources been verified, so use this material with caution.
Collected by Jim Jones, David Flogaus, Kelly Kulp-Bosler, Mike Wolford and Bob Gialanella (Spring 1995). Additional information collected by Daniel Cleary, John Morrison, Scott Harre, and Robert Troutman (Spring 1996); and by Nicole Bowman, Karin Flippin, Mary Kurtak, Kelly McVeigh, Wendy Smoker, and Brian Toombes (Spring 1997). Last edited by Jim Jones (August 9, 1997).
Special thanks to Don Callander of the West Chester Railroad Company for providing notes, photocopies and other materials.
1907/03/04 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (March 4, 1907), in CCHS clipping
file: "West Chester Transportation, PA. RR 1905-
1909."
The PB&WRR management circulated a notice to employees
concerning the procedure for rule changes. This article
seems to suggest that there was labor unrest and the
management was trying to head it of. It mentions that a 10%
wage increase became effective on December 1, 1906, but it
was not accepted by the union. Instead, it led to
negotiations and finally, the following salaries:
Yard day conductors (33 cents/day); yard night conductors
(34 cents); yard day brakemen (28 cents); yard night
brakemen (29 cents). Passenger conductor wages rose from
$4.01 to $4.42 with a further proposed increase of $4.72.
Passenger baggagemaster (2.42-2.66), passenger brakemen
($1.92-2.11-2.30). Freight conductor (3.35-3.68-3.96),
freight flagman (2.20-2.42-2.75), freight brakeman (2.09-
2.30-2.64).
------------------------
1907/0302 "Narrow Escape" in DAILY LOCAL NEWS (March 2, 1907), in
CCHS clipping file: "West Chester Transportation, PA.
RR 1905-1909."
Two unidentified young men were injured while trying to hop
a moving passenger train at the Barnard Street bridge
------------------------
1907/04/11 "Take Notice, P.R.R." in DAILY LOCAL NEWS (April
11, 1907), in CCHS clipping file: "West Chester
Transportation, PA. RR 1905-1909."
This is one of many articles that complains about the lack
of toilet facilities for patrons at the PRR station.
------------------------
1907/06/04 "Engine's Big Load" in DAILY LOCAL NEWS (June 5,
1907), in CCHS clipping file: "West Chester
Transportation, PA. RR 1905-1909."
Freight switching engine no.91 set a record by hauling 12
loaded cars up the grade from Union Street to Maple Street.
the conductor was Frank A. Finegan, engineer W. C. Johnston,
and fireman Arthur Hughes.
------------------------
1907/07/13 "Work on the Central Division of the P.B.&W.R.R.
Is Pushing ahead" in DAILY LOCAL NEWS (July 13,
1907), in CCHS clipping file: "West Chester
Transportation, PA. RR 1905-1909."
Two new tracks were added between Union and Nields Street by
filling in the low land along Goose Creek. The new tracks
will provide room to make up freight trains. The fill work
was performed by the firm of Corcoran brothers.
------------------------
1907/07/17 "Will Cars Be Run By Electricity?" in DAILY LOCAL
NEWS (July 17, 1907), from the CCHS clippings
file: "Transportation, Pennsylvania Railroad,
Frazer Branch"
The PRR-Frazer received electric signaling equipment so that
the railroad could be operated on the "block system." In
West Chester, a signal was installed near the present
watchman's box at Market Street station, and a signal box
was installed near the Chestnut Street bridge. There was
also a tower installed on a boxcar at Morstein station, and
other material was deposited at Frazer and Kirkland
stations.
------------------------
1907/07/17 "Locomotive Disabled" in DAILY LOCAL NEWS (July
17, 1907), from the CCHS clippings file:
"Transportation, Pennsylvania Railroad, Frazer
Branch"
A locomotive of the PRR-Frazer became disabled near
Phoenixville and was hauled to a siding in that town by a
second engine until engineer Bloomer could repair it.
------------------------
1907/07/27 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (July 27, 1907), in CCHS clipping
file: "West Chester Transportation, PA. RR 1905-
1909."
Engine no.91, which shifted freight cars in the West Chester
yards, was operated by engineer William Johnson and
conductor John Sollenberger.
------------------------
1907/07/31 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (July 31, 1907), in CCHS clipping
file: "West Chester Transportation, PA. RR 1905-
1909."
This article describes activity at the roundhouse near the
east end of Lacey Street. The house maintained seven
passenger and one freight locomotive, all of which arrived
throughout the evening and left the next morning.` The
roundhouse was supervised by W. C. Hayes and A. J. Hamilton.
They did not repair engines, but merely kept the fires going
and prepared them for their morning runs.
A locomotive consumed 3000 gallons of water on its 27-mile
run to Philadelphia. It also carried 12 tons of coal, which
was enough to complete two round trips between West Chester
and Philadelphia.
A locomotive sitting on the turntable presented a weight of
48-50 tons, yet the table was so well balanced that a single
worker could turn the engine by hand.
------------------------
1907/08/22 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (August 22, 1907), in CCHS
clippings file "West Goshen Township,
Transportation, Green Hill Station."
The mistress of the Green Hill station, Mrs. Florence
Wilkins, discovered that a thief had entered the first floor
of the station and stolen $60 worth on money, stamps, cigars
and other materials belonging to the Union News Company.
Mrs. Wilkins' assistant was H. C. Kelso. Wilkins, Kelso,
and Kelso's mother were asleep upstairs during the burglary.
The trackwalker, Arthur Leary, passed the station at one
o'clock (am?) but noticed nothing.
------------------------
1907/10/15 "Erecting Signal Tower" in DAILY LOCAL NEWS
(October 15, 1907), in CCHS clipping file: "West
Chester Transportation, PA. RR 1905-1909."
A new signal tower was erected just south of the Market
Street station to control the new block signal system.
------------------------
1907/10/22 "Watchbox on Foundations" in DAILY LOCAL NEWS
(October 22, 1907), in CCHS clipping file: "West
Chester Transportation, PA. RR 1905-1909."
The watchbox used by William McConaghy at the Union Street
crossing was placed on a new foundation.
------------------------
1907/11/27 "New Improvements" in DAILY LOCAL NEWS (November
27, 1907), in CCHS clipping file: "West Chester
Transportation, PA. RR 1905-1909."
Workmen at the Market Street station dug a 16-foot water
well to serve the new toilets, which were due to be
reopened.
------------------------
1907/12/07 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (December 7, 1907), in CCHS
clipping file: "West Chester Transportation, PA.
RR 1905-1909."
The PRR ignored a letter from the West Chester borough
council asking them to close the Adams Street grade
crossing.
------------------------
1908/02/12 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (February 13, 1908), in CCHS
clipping file: "West Chester Transportation, PA.
RR 1905-1909."
The new block signaling system went into use on the PB&WRR.
Thomas Devon runs the new signal tower by day and Clark Pyle
works the night shift. Clarence Pyle replaced Devon as the
daytime operator at the station.
"The new system is not welcomed by the shifting crew, as it
takes them about twice as long to do their work on account
of having to get a pass card nearly every time that they
move their engine."
------------------------
1908/03/02 "Operating New Towers" in DAILY LOCAL NEWS (March
3, 1908), from the CCHS clippings file:
"Transportation, Pennsylvania Railroad, Frazer
Branch"
The new tower at the Market Street station in West Chester
on the PRR-Frazer opened for operations. It had telegraph
operators, but the signals were not yet in working order, so
trains still moved after the old fashion, responding to
human signals, although they came from the tower instead of
the station. Similar conditions existed at new towers at
Kirkland and Frazer.
The operators of the West Chester tower, Frank H. Pollock
and F. C. Sturn, were placed there temporarily until the new
jobs could be advertised. Pollock and Sturn were normally
assigned to the West Chester station; Pollock on the 5am-2pm
shift, and Sturn on the 2-11pm shift.
------------------------
1908/08/24 "No More Engines in Upper Yard" in DAILY LOCAL
NEWS (August 24, 1908), from the CCHS clippings
file: "Transportation, Pennsylvania Railroad,
Frazer Branch"
The PRR stopped storing its spare locomotives and railcars
in the yard on the north side of town, and kept everything
in the lower yard (below Market Street). This satisfied
residents of Chestnut and North Matlack Street, who
complained about the noise.
------------------------
1908/08/26 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (August 26, 1908), in CCHS
clipping file: "West Chester Transportation, PA.
RR 1905-1909."
Following a petition circulated by Charles H. Pennypacker
among the residents of the north side of West Chester, the
PRR agreed to stop firing up engines at the turntable
located near Chestnut and Matlack Streets, and to do away
with the turntable altogether.
------------------------
1908/11/10 "Returns to News Stand" in DAILY LOCAL NEWS
(November 10, 1908), in CCHS clipping file: "West
Chester Transportation, PA. RR 1905-1909."
Davis E. Townsend resumed his duties at the Union News stand
in the PRR station. He worked there for eight years [1882-
1890] but has been absent for 18 years. He returned because
the former news agent, George Wonderly, "blew out his brains
last week."
------------------------
1908/12/11 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (December 11, 1908), from the
CCHS clippings file: "Transportation, Pennsylvania
Railroad, Frazer Branch"
A track crew directed by Foreman George Dougherty was
involved with relaying the tracks along Evans Street,
despite the frost. The turntable at the North Matlack
Street yard was torn out and the hole filled with rubble,
since locomotives were turned at the roundhouse in the lower
yard. The water tower was retained to service trains on the
PRR-Frazer.
------------------------
1908/12/28 "Dignitaries Travel" in DAILY LOCAL NEWS (December
28, 1908), in CCHS clipping file: "West Chester
Transportation, PA. RR 1905-1909."
This article described a number of "Dignitaries" who visited
West Chester, including a famous opera singer, a physician,
etc. No names were given. However, it does mention that
conductor Jacob J. Polk ran the train.
------------------------
1909/03/08 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (March 8, 1909),in CCHS clipping
file: "West Chester Transportation, PA. RR 1905-
1909."
This article has several tidbits including the addresses of
three railroad employees. D. B. Colehour recently moved
from North Adams Street to 406 Dean Street. Clark Pyle and
Charles W. Pyle both live on Dean Street too.
------------------------
1909/04/16 COATESVILLE RECORD (April 16, 1909), in CCHS
clipping file: "West Chester Transportation, PA.
RR 1905-1909."
The PRR planned to station a watchman at its railroad yard
at Chestnut & Matlack Streets to prevent trespassers from
crossing the tracks. It was a favorite shortcut for workmen
heading to the Sharpless plant [separator works].
------------------------
1909/06/02 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (June 2, 1909), from the CCHS
clippings file: "West Chester Transportation,
PB&WRR (Central division).
The PB&WRR was extra busy because of a strike by workers on
the trolley car line that diverted many passengers to the
railroad. Conductor B. S. O. Wise reported that he
collected 700 tickets on his seven car train.
------------------------
1909/06/17 "Drink From the Spigot" in DAILY LOCAL NEWS (June
17, 1909), in CCHS clipping file: "West Chester
Transportation, PA. RR 1905-1909."
Passengers in the Market Street station obtain drinking
water from the spigot in the corridor between the waiting
room and the platform. Others borrow a tumbler from Lin
Bassett, the news agent, for that purpose.
------------------------
1909/06/29 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (June 29, 1909), from the CCHS
clippings file: "West Chester Transportation,
PB&WRR (Central division)."
The PB&WRR, responding to citizen complaints about the
dangerous grade crossing at South Adams Street, agreed to
reaarange the streets in that area to eliminate the grade
crossing. The South Adams Street crossing was to be closed,
and a new street on the north side of the tracks between
Adams and Worthington, called Elmer Street, was to be
constructed. They also planned to extend Worthington and
Penn Streets south to Nields Street. All of the new streets
were to be macadamized by the railroad at no expense to the
borough of WC.
------------------------
1909/07/15 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (July 16, 1909), from the CCHS
clippings file: "West Chester Transportation,
PB&WRR (Central division)."
A train operated by engineer John Hannum collided with cars
standing on the west track of the Market Street station,
injuring some passengers and caused considerable damage.
Among the injured were Edith Broomall (daughter of Harry),
J. B. Thompson, and Harvey Fitzsimmons.
------------------------
1909/11/11 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (November 11, 1909), in CCHS
clipping file: "West Chester Transportation, PA.
RR 1905-1909."
Al Hamilton was a veteran of 25 years on the railroad in
West Chester. He served in the Civil War and in the regular
army after that before coming to the railroad.
------------------------
1909/11/12 DAILY LOCAL NEWS November 12, 1909), from the CCHS
clippings file: "West Chester Transportation,
PB&WRR (Central division).
Business is heavy on the PB&WRR. Recently, a single train
pulled 62 freight cars to various locations along the line.
This train was so long that it interfered with passenger
trains at places where there was only a single track.
------------------------
1909/11/22 "New Fern hill Bridge" in DAILY LOCAL NEWS
(November 22, 1909), from the CCHS clippings file:
"Transportation, Pennsylvania Railroad, Frazer
Branch"
The new Fern Hill bridge over the PRR-Frazer, soon to be
completed, is longer and wider than the original bridge. If
necessary, there is room to lay a second line of track
underneath it.
------------------------
1909/11/26 "Want Bridge Finished" in DAILY LOCAL NEWS
(November 26, 1909), from the CCHS clippings file:
"Transportation, Pennsylvania Railroad, Frazer
Branch"
Many people asked that the railroad complete the new Fern
Hill bridge before winter sets in. Otherwise, wagon teams
hauling coal to West Chester have to detour past the
resevoir and Achell's farm to reach the coal siding. The
work to construct a modern concrete bridge has been underway
for several months.
------------------------
1909/12/08 "Shortcut for Commuters" in DAILY LOCAL NEWS
(December 8, 1909), from the CCHS clippings file:
"West Chester Transportation, PB&WRR (Central
division).
Commuters who wish to avoid walking several blocks around to
the Market Street station climb up the embankment on the
south side of Barnard Street and walk across the railroad
trestle to reach the station. The article noted that such
behavior resulted in arrest on the PRR-Main Line.
------------------------
1912/11/30 "Clock for Trackwalker" in DAILY LOCAL NEWS
(November 30, 1912), from the CCHS clippings file:
"Transportation, Pennsylvania Railroad, Frazer
Branch"
A few months ago, the railroad installed watchman clocks
along the tracks of the PRR-Frazer so that the track walkers
could record their progress as they inspected the tracks.
------------------------
1914 Schedule for the Philadelphia to West Chester Line,
Pennsylvania Railroad (January 8, 1914)
During WWI, railroad schedules were reduced. This is only
the front page, so it lists no trains, but names the
directors of the railroad. George W. Boyd was the General
Passenger Agent, W. Heyward Myers was the General Manager
and J. R. Wood was the Passenger Traffic Manager on the
Phila-West Chester line.
------------------------
1916/07/22 "Monaghan" in DAILY LOCAL NEWS, from the CCHS
clipping file.
Cornelia W. T. Monaghan died at age 63 at Chester County
Hospital. She was the widow of R. Jones Monaghan (married
November 13, 1879; died in 1897) and the daughter of Joseph
P. and Jane T. Ellicott Wilson. Her father was a leading
member of the Chester County Bar Association, Burgess of
West Chester 1855-1857, and President of the Philadelphia &
Baltimore Central Railroad. She had two children who died
as infants and two who survived: Frances E., a patient at CC
Hospital with "badly sprained ankle," and Walter E.,
employed in Philadelphia. The family were members of the
First Presbyterian Church of West Chester.
------------------------
1917/01/20 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (January 20, 1917), in CCHS
clippings file, "West Chester Transportation; PA.
RR 1915-1919."
A railroad worker "in the neighborhood of Moylan" had
acquired 300-400 records and sold them cheaply to his
colleagues. This article names many of them and describes
their musical ability, if any. It includes other tidbits
about working conditions.
Baggagemaster Roy Lyons, brakeman William Keeley, brakeman
Andrew Haggerty, and night operator Charles Mann all owned
record players.
Engineer William Buxton was a leader of the West Chester
Band and a well-known musician. Other railroad workers
played Jew's harp, violin and piano.
Conductor R. S. O. Wise was not a musician, but he liked
music. He was 66 years old, but in excellent health,
according to the physical taken by the insurance company on
June 2, 1916, following his recovery from a fall that broke
both of his wrists and gashed his head. He wore casts for
four weeks and was off-duty for ten weeks following the
accident.
Councilman Edmund H. Brown was a retired railroad engineer
and the son of a violin player. He worked as an engineer a
quarter century earlier, and had been retired for some years
by 1917.
Firemen and engineers were not able to sing or whistle while
they worked, because the coal dust dried their mouths too
much. In the summer, there was relief when they wet down
the coal to suppress the dust, but that was impossible in
the winter because the coal would stick together and freeze.
To combat the dust, the men wore mufflers about their necks,
buttoned their wristbands tight, and used twine to tie their
pants legs shut.
Edward M. Sooy, baggagemaster was a whistler, but he had
recently broken his arm. It had to be rebroken and reset,
and he wore a cast for two months already.
Conductors earned $145-150 per month and engineers earned
$4.67 a day, and as much as $5.00 a day for "through runs."
In the winter, engineers and other workmen wore gloves that
had leather palms and canvas backs. Each pair cost 35
cents, and they became soiled quickly, within two days,
requiring replacement or laundering.
William A. McMichael still visits the West Chester depot
once a month. He worked there 25 years ago with Howell A.
Gillingham and Frank P. Patton as his assistants. Mr.
Gillingham, also retired, has lived in Kentucky for several
years.
------------------------
1917/01/20 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (January 20, 1917), in CCHS
clippings file, "West Chester Transportation; PA.
RR 1915-1919."
There was a special train that carried workers from West
Chester to Eddystone each morning. It started out with 160-
185 men in West Chester and picked up more along the way.
------------------------
1917/01/23 "More Changes at Old Depot" in DAILY LOCAL NEWS,
in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester
Transportation; PA. RR 1915-1919."
An extension to the train station at Market Street was
underway in 1917. This article describes the changes in the
station during the period 1867-1917.
After through-trains began to operate in West Chester, the
passenger shed was moved to the through tracks on the east
side and freight was unloaded on the West side of the
station, where the Adams Express company had its offices and
warehouse in 1917.
------------------------
1917/01/25 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (January 26, 1917), in CCHS
clippings file, "West Chester Transportation; PA.
RR 1915-1919."
The trolley from Philadelphia operated a freight service
that was heavily used. It carried a variety of foodstuffs,
agricultural chemicals, and other goods to West Chester from
Philadelphia, and used a terminal on East Gay Streets. The
passenger terminal was at Gay and High Streets. The West
Chester Wheel Works shipped its wheels by trolley.
------------------------
1917/01/29 "Changes" in DAILY LOCAL NEWS, in CCHS clippings
file, "West Chester Transportation; PA. RR 1915-
1919."
William G. Morgan, baggagemaster at West Chester Market
Street station, was transferred to Swarthmore as the
assistant passenger agent, replacing Richard Wellers. Mr.
Morgan was on temporary night duty in West Chester,
replacing Charles Mann during his illness.
------------------------
1917/03/02 "Want Bath in Station" in DAILY LOCAL NEWS, in
CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Transportation;
PA. RR 1915-1919."
Railroad workers asked management to provide them with a hot
water heater and shower bath in the West Chester station.
------------------------
1917/03/20 DAILY LOCAL NEWS, in CCHS clippings file, "West
Chester Transportation; PA. RR 1915-1919."
Freight conductor Thomas Hall worked on the West Chester-
Frazer line for 25 years.
Freight demand was way up, especially for coal, despite the
threat of industrial strikes. Industrial consumption of pea
coal was so strong that consumers were forced to rely on
chestnut coal for home heating. The price of coal was some
$5/ton higher than it was last year.
------------------------
1917/03/20 DAILY LOCAL NEWS, in CCHS clippings file, "West
Chester Transportation; PA. RR 1915-1919."
A large derrick was at work on the tracks over the Barnard
Street overpass in an attempt to add an additional track
between the upper and lower rail yards.
Work was needed on the Union Street crossing, which was very
dangerous. However, there was neither room to go under or
over the railroad tracks.
This was an ongoing topic of contention between the railroad
and the borough. Three grade crossings had already been
eliminated [JJ: Magnolia, Lacey, Adams] and two bridges
constructed [JJ: Miner, Chestnut].
------------------------
1917/04/03 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (April 3, 1917), from the CCHS
clippings file: "West Chester Transportation,
PB&WRR (Central division).
Workmen on the PB&WRR will move four tracks fifteen feet to
the east so that trains placed on sidings at the Market
Street station will no longer block the entire railyard. At
present, the siding can accomodate only five cars. To make
the new arrangement work, the Barnard Street bridge was also
widened to accomodate a second track. Nearly a hundred men
were employed on the job.
------------------------
1917/04/05 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (April 5, 1917), from the CCHS
clippings file: "West Chester Transportation,
PB&WRR (Central division).
"A force of carpenters" extended the shed and platform at
the Market Street station almost to Barnard Street in order
to handle trains of six cars plus a locomotive at the
platform.
------------------------
1917/04/13 "Station is Abandoned" in DAILY LOCAL NEWS (April
13, 1917), in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester
Transportation; PA. RR 1915-1919."
The stop at Maple Avenue, which served the convent and
people from the north edge of town, was abandoned in favor
of a stop at the Biddle Street grade crossing.
------------------------
1917/06/02 DAILY LOCAL NEWS, in CCHS clippings file, "West
Chester Transportation; PA. RR 1915-1919."
PRR officials announced last Memorial Day, that the record
for freight shipped to West Chester was broken. This was
the climax to a year of increasing freight activity.
Traffic was so busy and the yard so congested that the
siding to "the old round house at Nields Street" had to be
used to shift cars.
------------------------
1917/06/14 Leah Schechter, editor, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A
CONTRIBUTION: THE LIFE OF WALTER T. KERWIN (West
Chester: Henderson High School AP History, 1992).
CCHS#E745.K39
p2 Walter Kerwin (Jr) was born on June 14, 1917 and grew up at
124 E. Linden Street. Walter's father was Walter T. Kerwin
(Sr), a railroad worker for the PRR. He was known as "Big
Dutch" and Walter was known simply as "Dutch."
------------------------
1917/08/23 DAILY LOCAL NEWS, in CCHS clippings file, "West
Chester Transportation; PA. RR 1915-1919."
The PRR announced that there would be no more excursion
trains to Atlantic City this year. The company normally
operated three or four each summer, and had already run one
early in the season, but "all people realized that new
conditions prevail this year and emergencies must be met."
There were a large amount of mushrooms shipped from West
Chester, even in the summer.
The express agent was Charles W. Pyle and the baggagemaster
was J. W. Walker. Thomas Winsey was an engineer.
------------------------
1917/08/27 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (August 27, 1917), from the CCHS
clippings file: "West Chester Transportation,
PB&WRR (Central division).
The work of improving the Barnard Street railroad bridge was
nearing completion.
------------------------
1917/09/07 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (September 7, 1917), from the
CCHS clippings file: "West Chester Transportation,
PB&WRR (Central division).
The PB&WRR made improvements to its line at Union Street by
constructing a culvert to carry Goose Creek under the tracks
and onto a lot recently purchased by the borough of WC.
------------------------
1918/01/01 James J. D. Lynch Jr., "The West Chester Branch"
in THE HIGH LINE, vol. 8, no. 2 & 3 (Winter-Spring
1988), 5.
On January 1, 1918, the PB&W became part of the PRR under a
999-year lease dated December 31, 1917.
------------------------
1920s James J. D. Lynch Jr., "The West Chester Branch" in THE
HIGH LINE, vol. 8, no. 2 & 3 (Winter-Spring 1988), 25.
In "later years, a stop at Nields Street, West Chester . . .
was made on a limited basis."
------------------------
1922/03/08 "Old Gates Thawed Out" in DAILY LOCAL NEWS, in
CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Transportation;
PA. RR 1920-1924."
The old crossing gates on Market Street were operative again
after they thawed out, but they were generally
unsatisfactory. They were out of service for several weeks
as a result of being frozen into a single position. The PRR
promised to replace them as soon as the weather improved.
------------------------
1922/03/30 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (March 30, 1922)
Dennis McDevitt was preparing to move from 559 South
Franklin Street to a house on Marshall Street owned by
William Chalfant Jr. McDevitt worked as the gatekeeper at
the Pennsylvania Railroad crossing on Market Street.
------------------------
1922/04/17 "Preparing for Bridge Work" in DAILY LOCAL NEWS,
in CCHS clippings file, "West Chester
Transportation; PA. RR 1920-1924."
Workmen delivered steel beams to be used in raising,
widening and strengthening the Gay Street bridge over the
West Chester-Frazer tracks of the PRR.
------------------------
1923/02/27 "Ticket Agent Change" in DAILY LOCAL NEWS, in CCHS
clippings file, "West Chester Transportation; PA.
RR 1920-1924."
M. W. Kershaw of West Chester was reassigned to the West
Chester Market Street station for the 2pm-late shift. He
had worked in West Chester before, and he returned to
replace Harvey Reynolds, who was transferred to Wilmington.
------------------------
1923/03/09 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (September 9, 1923), from the
CCHS clippings file: "Transportation, Pennsylvania
Railroad, Frazer Branch"
The new "Green Hill Flyer" came to West Chester for the
first time and was admired by many railcar was housed at
Green Hill Station under the authority of Herbert Pritchard,
the track foreman and the Flyer's chauffeur. (Pritchard
lived at Green Hill Station.) The car is painted bright red
so that other trains will see it and yield right of way.
The car is capable of speeds up to fifty miles per hour, and
can carry spares and workmen, so it will make it possible to
respond to reports of track damage much faster. Heretofore,
the track men have used a self-propelled handcar to reach
track breakages, but they arrived "fagged from exertions in
pumping the handles." [JJ: The article does not mention
this, but I suspect that the Flyer was powered by a gasoline
engine.].
------------------------
1923/03/24 DAILY LOCAL NEWS, in CCHS clippings file, "West
Chester Transportation; PA. RR 1920-1924."
The chief of West Chester police, after consulting with
taxicab drivers who used the railroad station, issued new
rules that required the cabs to back into the curb at an
angle, instead of parking parallel to the curb. This would
make it easier for the cabs to pull away without interfering
with each other.
------------------------
1923/03/26 "Booth is for Smiths" in DAILY LOCAL NEWS, in CCHS
clippings file, "West Chester Transportation; PA.
RR 1920-1924."
The T. E. Smith & Son firm got the contract from the PRR to
operate a "checking station for travelers" and had a booth
constructed for that purpose at the southern end of the
station.
------------------------
1923/03/30 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (March 31, 1923), from the CCHS
clippings file: "Transportation, Pennsylvania
Railroad, Frazer Branch"
Freight traffic has been heavy of late, but today it was so
heavy, despite the holiday, that engineer Captain Hall and
his crew had to make two trips on the PRR-Frazer to collect
all of the boxcars on sidings between Paoli and Frazer large
proportion were bound for West Chester, but many were
destined to continue on through West Chester along the
Octoraro Branch to points between West Chester and Media.
------------------------
1923/07/18 "Work is Suspended" in DAILY LOCAL NEWS, in CCHS
clippings file, "West Chester Transportation; PA.
RR 1920-1924."
The Market Street station of the PRR in West Chester
underwent extensive repairs during the spring and summer of
1923.
------------------------
1923/10/18 DAILY LOCAL NEWS, in CCHS clippings file, "West
Chester Transportation; PA. RR 1920-1924."
Following an accident where a bicyclist was crushed by a
train, the PRR announced its intention to close a walking
path located between two tracks near the Sharpless Separator
Works. The path was a popular thoroughfare for workers at
Sharpless, Schramms and the nurseries, as well as for
strollers in the evening and bicycle riders.
------------------------
1923/11/06 DAILY LOCAL NEWS, in CCHS clippings file, "West
Chester Transportation; PA. RR 1920-1924."
West Chester is served by "several motor bus lines which
give service on five different routes, reaching many
villages and boroughs at near and some distant points
connecting with other bus lines in this and adjacent
counties."
"It is not expected that these motor bus lines will
eliminate the trolley and steam roads, but will serve to
give transportation to many points without the long and
expensive detours on railways." In particular, buses
improved West Chester's connections to the north and
northwest.
Twenty years ago, the American Highway Educational Bureau
predicted that a network of roads would be constructed on
which freight and passenger service would operate. In
particular, this would allow the members of farm families`
to visit towns without taking any of their horses out of the
fields to make the journey.
As of the date of this article, there were 150 state highway
passenger lines operating on hard-surfaced roads in
Pennsylvania.
------------------------
1923/11/17 DAILY LOCAL NEWS, in CCHS clippings file, "West
Chester Transportation; PA. RR 1920-1924."
Workman using air compressors prepared to fit a new,
improved "frog" into the tracks just north of Market Street,
replacing an older one that had been damaged and repaired.
the new frog was of a different design and weighed over two
tons. The workers planned to cut the rails and insert the
new frog between trains without interrupting operations.
------------------------
1923/11/17 "Town Topics" in DAILY LOCAL NEWS, in CCHS
clippings file, "West Chester Transportation; PA.
RR 1920-1924."
Horses were still used until a few years ago, but nowadays
(1923) all freight was delivered by motor truck. Motor
trucks and trolleys had made a serious dent in the
railroad's freight service from Philadelphia.
------------------------
1923/11/22 DAILY LOCAL NEWS, in CCHS clippings file, "West
Chester Transportation; PA. RR 1920-1924."
Workers who were employed removing the brick wall between
the train sheds at the West Chester Market Street station
were laid off suddenly. There were lay-offs all over the
PRR system, including section gangs on the Main Line and
Maryland division, and mechanics at Downingtown.
------------------------
1923/12/17 "Completing the Shed work" in DAILY LOCAL NEWS, in
CCHS clippings file, "West Chester Transportation;
PA. RR 1920-1924."
Workers finally completed remodeling the railroad shed at
the West Chester Market Street station.
------------------------
1926 Charles William Heathcote, HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA (West Chester, PA: Horace F. Temple, 1926), 31.
West Chester is served by two branches of the Pennsylvania
Railroad and several bus and trolley lines. Its beautiful
homes and shaded streets make West Chester "a delightful
town."
------------------------
1928 James J. D. Lynch Jr., "The West Chester Branch" in THE HIGH
LINE, vol. 8, no. 2 & 3 (Winter-Spring 1988), 5.
(partial) list of stations on the Wawa Branch, and milages
in 1928 and 1954.
Station 1928 1954
Phiadelphia Broad Street/0/n/a
Phiadelphia Suburban Street/n/a/0
[stations ommitted by JJ]
Media 14.0 14.0
Elwyn/15.1/15.0
Williamson School/15.9/15.8
Glen Riddle/16.7/16.6
Lenni 17.4 17.3
Wawa/18.1/18.0
Glen Mills/20.3/20.2
Locksley/21.6/21.5
Cheyney 22.2 22.2
Westtown/23.9/23.9
Oakbourne/25.5/25.4
West Chester/27.5/27.4.
------------------------
1928/12/02 James J. D. Lynch Jr., "The West Chester Branch"
in THE HIGH LINE, vol. 8, no. 2 & 3 (Winter-Spring
1988), 29.
The WC&PRR line was electrified as far as West Chester by
December 2, 1928.
------------------------
1930s Leah Schechter, editor, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A
CONTRIBUTION: THE LIFE OF WALTER T. KERWIN (West
Chester: Henderson High School AP History, 1992), 2.
CCHS#E745.K39
Walter T. Kerwin (Sr) worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad,
and after the depression, became the tax collector for West
Chester.
------------------------
1932/09/24 "Making Final Run on Frazer Branch Here This
Evening" in DAILY LOCAL NEWS (September 24, 1932),
from the CCHS clippings file: "Transportation,
Pennsylvania Railroad, Frazer Branch"
Conductor Frank Moore made his last run on the PRR-Frazer
today, after over 17 years of service on this branch. He
joined the PRR in 1893 as a baggqageman and was promoted to
freight brakeman in 1895. In 1905, he became a regular
conductor on the Philadelphia to Harrisburg run. In 1915,
he was transfered to the PRR-Frazer.
In 1932, Moore, aged 63, still has seven more years to go
before he can retire. Moore was reassigned to the night
express between Philadlephia and Pittsburgh, No. 35
westbound and No. 36 eastbound.
Moore made a brief statement: "I've looked on this old run,
not only as a job-holder, but as I do say, `home.' I've
known these passengers of mine--three generations of them.
Why, when one of `my boys' and `girls,' as I call them,
failed to show up in the morning, I became anxious until I
got in again to see if they were all right. However, if
doing away with this line is intended for the good of the
service, I suppose I'll look at it from that angle too, but
I'm certainly going to miss those familiar faces every night
and morning. One thing that was intensely gratifying to me,
is the fact that I was still active on this branch when it
celebrated its 100th anniversary in the service of the
people here.
West Chester stationmaster J. Walter Keech described Moore
as having " one of the cleanest and best records in the
service." According to the article, Moore was acquainted
with General W. W. Atterbury, the president of the PRR
system.
------------------------
1932/09/24 Walter R. Farra, letter to the editor, DAILY LOCAL
NEWS (August 21, 1947), from the CCHS clippings
file: "Transportation, Pennsylvania Railroad"
Mr. Farra was the brakeman on the last three trains to-and-
from West Chester on the PRR-Frazer. He confirmed the
details offered by Mrs. Alfred Johnson, widow of the
engineer, and added that the trains were Nos. 5484-5486.
------------------------
1932/09/24 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (August 20, 1947), from the CCHS
clippings file: "Transportation, Pennsylvania
Railroad"
According to Mrs. Johnson, the last passenger train on the
PRR-Frazer ran on September 24, 1932. It was operated by
her late husband, engineer Alfred Johnson, who worked for
the PRR for seventeen years. The conductor was Frank Moore
of West Chester and the brakeman was Walter Farra of Paoli.
Mrs. Johnson recalled riding with her husband on that last
trip. He retired at the end of the day.
------------------------
1933
This writer remembered riding the PRR-Frazer from West
Chester to Philadelphia in 1931-1932. After the line was
closed, he/she took the Greyhound bus up Route 29 for the
last two years of high school.
------------------------
1937/10/27 COATESVILLE RECORD (October 27, 1937), from the
CCHS clippings file: WC Transportation, Penna. RR
1935-1937"
J. Walter Keech will retire next Sunday from the PRR after
more than 46 years of service. His replacement was Harry
Yohn, agent at Paoli. Keech, aged 65, began as a clerk in
the WC station on June 1, 1891. He received promotions to
billing clerk, accountant, chief clerk and finally station
agent. From 1917-1924, he served in Oxford. In 1924, he
became the passenger agent in WC, and in 1931, he was
promoted to passenger and freight agent in WC. He was born
in Coatesville, the son of Joseph C. Keech, who was also a
railroader.
------------------------
1938/03/01 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (March 1, 1938), from the CCHS
clippings file: "Transportation, Pennsylvania
Railroad"
PRR officials stated that they had no plans to electrify the
PRR-Frazer from West Chester to Frazer: "an improvement
would be of value only as a detour route, in the event of a
track obstruction between Frazer and Philadelphia.
Fortunately, there are four other detour routes available .
. ."
------------------------
1939/01/25 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (January 1, 1939), from the CCHS
clippings file: "Transportation, Pennsylvania
Railroad, Frazer Branch"
On Tuesday morning, the first passenger train in years
traveled over the PRR-Frazer carrying about 700 Republicans
for the inauguration in Harrisburg. It was pulled by a
steam engine as far as Paoli, where it picked up five more
cars of passengers and an electric engine for the run to
Harrisburg. Otherwise, the Frazer branch carries only
freight trains since the Pennsylvania Railroad electrified
the Media branch from West Chester to Philadelphia (PRR-
Frazer&P).
------------------------
1941/10/29 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (October 29, 1941), from the CCHS
clippings file: "Transportation, Pennsylvania
Railroad"
The PRR applied to the ICC for permission to abandon three
miles of the PRR-Phoenixville between Devault and Swedesford
Road station near Glen Loch. There had been no passenger
trains on this line for years, although the PRR still
maintains freight service between Phoenixville and Devault.
------------------------
1942/04/27 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (April 28, 1942), from the CCHS
clippings file: "Transportation, Pennsylvania
Railroad"
The 100-foot pedestrian frame bridge over the PRR-Frazer was
destroyed by fire early yesterday evening. It was thought
to have been caused by sparks from a passing train.
------------------------
1944/07/05 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (July 6, 1944), in CCHS clippings
file, "West Chester Transportation; PA. RR 1940-
1954."
A fire partially destroyed the PRR freight station in West
Chester. It also damaged rolling stock, and a spectator,
Oswald Blythe, collapsed and died from the intense heat.
Harry Yohn, the PRR freight agent, reported damages of
$40,000. The fire occurred in a freight shed along the
tracks near Hoffman Lumber and National Foam. The Fruit
Growers of Chester County suffered the most damage. In
addition, the United Dairy company lost four "mechanical
cows" and the Paoli Feed and Supply company lost materials
stored in space it rented from the railroad.
------------------------
1944/09/05 DAILY LOCAL NEWS (July 6, 1944), from the CCHS
clipping file "WC Transportation, PA.RR 1940-1954"
Fire damaged the freight station on East Union Street and
drew a large crowd that regarded the fire as a spectacle.
One spectator, Oswald Smythe of the Pennock Baker
Apartments, died from the intense heat as three fire
companies battled the blaze. The loss was estimated by
Harry Yohn at $40,000 and included the southern end of the
station and several railcars. Nearby businesses also
suffered damage, and the worst was at the Fruit Growers of
Chester County.
A. B. McCroskey, an engineer, used his freight locomotive to
pull cars out of danger.
------------------------