MP 18 - McDonald

Montour Railroad

Milepost 18 McDonald Viaduct and Transfer

The McDonald Viaduct is a 960 foot span that crosses over the old Panhandle line. The Montour had an interchange track with the Pennsylvania Railroad here. Construction was started in 1913 and completed in 1914. During World War II the viaduct was under constant protection, which included flood lights, to prevent sabotage. The coal shipped over the viaduct was vital to the war effort.

Here at McDonald is the Viaduct in late fall foliage. A whopping 960 feet long. According to the Montour RR Bridge Diagram book. Excavation began on September 2, 1913. Masonry work started on September 8, 1913. Masonry work finished on December 2, 1913. Steel erected August 1, 1914. As for steel work, Girder spans and braces 973,932 pounds. Towers 340,525 pounds. 175 foot through truss. 575,918 pounds. A total of 1,890,375 pounds of steel. Gene P. Schaeffer

Here Montour engines 79, 76, 78 and 83 cross the viaduct, 80, 77 and 74 are below on the McDonald Transfer tracks. Photo courtesy R.J. Lane.

This was taken on a 1976 Saturday, spring afternoon. We had been called out for a gapped switch at East end of Peacock. Seems the Coal Run into Westland earlier that morning had made a setout there of a bad order and noticed the switch defect. The Section #1 foreman was not found and Section #2 got the call. Foreman Schmidt and myself were the only ones available, so out we came. After setting the Hi-rail truck (RH-2) on at Gilmore Jct. crossing we ran up to Peacock. We repaired the switch in time for the Westbound train to pass while we watched the movement. The foreman decided since we were out why don't we continue west by rail and check up on a track repair we had done at McAdams siding earlier in the week. Well there was no argument from me, being that I was driving the truck, this was another chance to ride the rails. Besides the railroad was going to be paying me to enjoy the trip, any other time I would have done it for free! We caught up to the westbound at the Viaduct, once again I got the trusty 110 camera from my lunch bucket and shot this picture, you can see the caboose at the far end of the bridge. Notice also, my work gloves on the dashboard to the right and the on the left, the back of a speaker we used with the am/fm battery powered radio. Not exactly company issue, but it passed the time away when needed. At this point the foreman said to back off a little and allow the train to get away for fear of being questioned on the "carpet" of proper company time usage. I was only starting my second year of employment and still listened to what I'm told. Fortunately I had other opportunities to hi-rail close to moving trains like this, even got a few more pictures at a closer range. I will try to share those sometime. Tim Sposato

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