Meyersdale Public Library - Photographs

Active Filters:
  • Subject = Railroad tracks

About This Collection

The Meyersdale Public Library photograph collections contain approximately 2,000 photographs. From the total collection, about 320 will be selected for digitization based on the selection criteria. The photographs that will be selected for online display are significant because they provide a broad overview of life immediately before, during, and after the Progressive Era in the Allegheny Mountains region (mostly Somerset Co., PA & northern Maryland). The photographs capture families & individuals both in portraits and in natural settings, military men, coal mines, mills, railroads, transportation, education, and African American families. Our photographs have been used in Somerset Magazine and in the book "Allegheny Passage Companion, Guide to History & Heritage Along the Trail" by Bill Metzger. Accessibility to the collection will be enhanced because the images will be searchable online. Currently the photographs are accessioned on paper but are not included in our library catalog. Digitization would allow users easy & free access to historical photographs that would otherwise essentially be hidden in a closet.

Displaying 19 items
Filter
United States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale, Bridges, Railroad bridges, Railroad tracks, Railroads, Sand Patch
This view of a railroad bridge shows huge concrete structures supporting the rail line that leads to the bridge. The train crosses through a rocky hillside that is near Sand Patch. 5 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. black and white postcard.
Western Maryland Viaduct, United States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale, Railroad tracks
To aid in the construction of the Western Maryland Viaduct, a temporary railroad was built along the base of the trestle. With the railroad going over the Casselman River, supplies could be transported faster. The main railroad runs across the top on a trestle supported by towers of steel beams. The towers are reinforced at the base in concrete. Transcribed from the front 'Western MD. R.R. Viaduct, near Meyersdale, Pa.' 5 3/8 x 3 3/8 in. black and white postcard.
Steam engines, Railroad tracks, Railroads
Engine #847, with a steaming smokestack, is rolling along the tracks. The engine is barrel shaped with a light and bell on top. The engineer is in the cab, and a cowcatcher is attached to the front of the engine. Old railroad ties lay alongside the tracks. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Cook, Harry, Steam engines, Railroad tracks
Harry and another man walk along the gravel beside the train tracks, as the massive engine comes roaring by. Transcribed from the album page ‘Near Geo Werner's.’ 4 5/8 x 3 3/4 in. black and white photograph.
United States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale, Railroad tracks, Railroads, Bridges, Railroad bridges, Sand Patch
Train tracks leading past a rocky hillside cross over an iron bridge. A 'one mile to Sand Patch' sign stands beside the entrance to the bridge. There is a small building to the left. Transcribed from the front 'In the mountains railroad bridge over gorge, Meyersdale, Pa. Clayton Walker.' 5 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. black and white postcard.
United States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale, Railroad bridges, Railroad tracks, Railroads, Western Maryland Viaduct
Viewing the Western Maryland Viaduct from left to right, it seems to run endlessly off in the distance. Casselman River is seen flowing under the viaduct. 5 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. black and white postcard.
Railroad cars, Railroad tracks
The pathway that was cut through this rocky mountain for the railroad is very steep. Two rail lines run down the mountainside. An engine with freight cars is rolling down the tracks on one side, and two men are standing on the other tracks watching it. A building sits at the top of the hill. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Railroad tracks, Cameras
There is no danger to the gentleman standing on the train tracks. Repairs are being made and the railroad ties are not connected to the rails. A second completed track runs on the other side. The man wears a suit and bowler hat and he holds a camera. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Railroad tracks, Railroads, Railroad cars
Old Maud, the largest engine in the world, is seen in Meyersdale. A man standing by the engine is only as tall as the wheel. The front of the engine looks like a long barrel. The smokestack is near the front of the engine, and a pipe is over the middle of the barrel part. A section with windows located at the end of the huge barrel is for the engineer; ‘2400’ is printed on this section. Behind the engine is a B & O coal car. Transcribed from the front ‘Old Maud (Largest Engine in the World), Meyersdale, Pa.’ 5 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. black and white postcard.
Rivers, Railroad tracks
The trees reflect beautifully into the river. We cannot say for sure if it is the Casselman, but the train tracks follow along the river. 3 1/4 x 3/1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Houses, Railroad tracks, Fences
The two story house has trees in full bloom in the yard, and a picket fence runs along the edge of the yard. Railroad tracks are directly in front of the picket fence. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Steam engines, Railroad tracks, Railroads
Blowing steam full force, this mighty steam engine on the scenic line in the Allegheny Mountains is heading into Meyersdale. Transcribed from the front 'Night drawing her shades on the Scenic Line (WM R.R.) Allegheny Mts. Meyersdale. Pa. photo by Clayton Walker.' 5 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. black and white postcard.
Steam engines, Railroad tracks, Railroads
Billowing white smoke is seen as a steam engine chugs through a rocky mountainside toward Meyersdale. The track is cut through a rocky part of the mountain, and on the viewer’s right side, the steep hill has bare rocks with a few small trees. A small shed on the left is sitting on a rocky surface, and a few bushes grow nearby. Transcribed from the front '1911.Coming to Meyersdale, Pa.' 5 3/8 x 3 3/8 in. black and white photograph.
Steam engines, Railroad tracks, Railroads
This is one of the earliest steam engines. The front of the engine has a smoke stack that rises over a barrel type main body. Located on top of the barreled part is a bell and several cone shaped items. Attached to the rear end of the barreled part is a small cabin structure for the engineer. A man in a dark suit with a derby hat stands with his hands in his pockets. Dark outfits are worn by three ladies, and their dresses are long and black. Each lady is holding a hand muff, and wearing a unique large hat. 3 1/4 x 2 1/2 in. black and white photograph.
Werner’s Bridge, Bridges, Steam engines, Railroad tracks, Railroad bridges
A train is crossing Werner’s Bridge. The bridge name was not identified on the album page, but from the accession sheet. Transcribed from the album page ‘Same.’ 4 5/8 x 3 3/4 in. black and white photograph.
Hills, Railroad tracks
This hill is a lonely sight. Bare, slender trees stand tall at the top, and boulders and trees extend to the train tracks below. 5 3/8 x 3 3/8 in. black and white photograph.
Railroad bridges, Railroad tracks, Cameras
Two men in suits and bowler hats are standing next to a bridge in a very unsafe place. One of the men is holding a camera. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Railroad tracks, Rivers
Very high on a hilltop, a river is seen through the trees. A train track is visible behind the river. 3 1/8 x 4 1/2 in. black and white photograph.
Water towers, Railroad tracks
Along all the rail lines where steam engines ran, a water tower was a necessity. Here one is located on one side of the tracks near a wooded area. A small building across from the tower may house a keeper of the tower. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.