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A scenic railroad operation should be up and running from Negley to Darlington, Pa., by the middle of next summer, PL&W Railroad President Reno Davis said this morning.
PL&W, a newly-organized Ohio corporation, announced Saturday that it had reached agreement with Youngstown and Southern Railway Co. to purchase the 13-mile Smith's Ferry Branch railway line. The line runs from Negley to Glasgow.
PL&W currently is negotiating an agreement to purchase the seven-mile stretch from Negley to Darlington. The Negley Darlington stretch will be operational before the Smith's Ferry Branch line because of necessary construction.
No rail operations have been conducted over the Negley Glasgow line for more than 20 years. The cost to renovate the Negley-Glasgow and Negley-Darlington lines has been estimated at $5 million, Davis said.
"Future agreements also are pending north to Youngstown," Davis said.
The Little Beaver Creek Valley Railroad, a non-profit organization, will rent the tracks from PL&W and conduct a tourist railroad operation. Davis also serves on the Little Beaver Creek Valley Railroad and Historical Society's board of directors.
Negley will serve as an important stop on the railroad line, Davis said. PL&W has purchased about seven buildings near the line in Negley and will renovate them in "turn-of-the-century" style, he said. The buildings will be leased as shop space, he added.
PL&W has been attempting to make the land acquisition for the last three years, Davis said. "Its been an on-going venture we started three years ago, and its taken us this long to get started," he said.
'Me Smith's Ferry Branch line winds its way from Negley through Frederickstown and Beaver Creek State Park to Glasgow on the Ohio River. A 2-1/2-mile stretch also travels through Beaver County, Pa.
"It's probably the most scenic property in the state of Ohio," Davis said.
The Smith's Ferry Branch line includes a 1,300-foot-long, 75-foot-high bridge, and a 1,300-foot-long curved downhill tunnel.
New tracks and railroad ties need to be laid on the Negley Glasgow line, Davis said, creating a significant amount of jobs for the area. About 100 workers will be employed to renovate the line, and 50 people will be needed to operate the scenic railroad, he said.
Because of the amount of renovations required, the Smith's Ferry Branch line will not be operational for three to five years, he said.
The Little Beaver Creek Valley Railroad already has purchased a diesel locomotive, cabooses, and passenger cars to begin operation, Davis said. The passenger cars will be able to transport about 200 people, he said.
This item appeared in the Salem (Ohio) NEWS on September 9, 1991, and was written by Rick Armon. Reprinted by permission.
Webmaster's Note. As of 2000, this project has completely fallen apart. It ran between Rogers and Negley Ohio for a few years before disolving. The railroad tressle in Fredrickstown has also been torn down.