Chapter 1: Overview of Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad

This piece marks the first installment in a three-part series focusing on the Bessemer and Lake Erie (B&LE) Railroad. Here, we will delve into the origins of B&LE, the areas it serves, its relationship with Great Lakes Transportation and Canadian National Railway (CN), its history, the railroad's founder, key name changes, challenges it faced, its connections, clientele, and its base in Greenville.

Operating as a Class II railroad, the B&LE is recognized by the Surface Transportation Board (STB) for generating annual revenues between $29 million and $250 million. Adjusted for inflation in 2021, these figures range from $42,379,575 to $943,898,958. The B&LE primarily operates in northwestern Pennsylvania and northeastern Ohio, with its headquarters located in Homewood, Illinois. Established in 1869, it has been functioning for over 150 years and utilizes a standard gauge track measuring 4 feet 8½ inches. More information can be found on the company's official site at www.cn.ca.

Chapter 2: Locations Served

The B&LE operates a route stretching 139 miles, linking the Lake Erie port of Conneaut, Ohio, to the Pittsburgh suburb of Penn Hills, Pennsylvania. Initially known as the Shenango and Allegheny Railroad, it has undergone significant changes throughout its history.

Chapter 3: The Relationship with Great Lakes Transportation and CN

The B&LE's origins trace back to rail operations that various corporate predecessors managed in 1900. In 2004, the Canadian National Railway (CN) acquired the B&LE as part of a larger purchase involving the holding company Great Lakes Transportation, which encompassed several transportation entities, including rail and water carriers, serving the steel industry.

Following this acquisition, CN has operated B&LE as part of its Bessemer Subdivision. One of the most notable changes was the repainting of B&LE locomotives to feature CN branding, with "B&LE" sub-lettering. By 2019, the B&LE continued to function under its original name, while locomotives, including former Southern Pacific SD40T-3 "Tunnel Motors," have been integrated into the broader CN network.

The iron ore transported from the Duluth, Missabe, and Iron Range lines in Minnesota is transferred to ships in Two Harbors, Minnesota, before being shipped to Conneaut, Ohio. From there, the ore is reloaded onto B&LE trains and delivered primarily to steel mills in the Pittsburgh area, especially the blast furnaces at US Steel's Edgar Thomson Plant located in Braddock, Pennsylvania.

Chapter 4: Historical Context of B&LE

The B&LE has seen significant freight traffic growth over the decades, measured in million net ton-miles—a standard metric in freight transportation. Here’s a snapshot of its freight movement:

• 1925: 2,045 million net ton-miles
• 1933: 807 million net ton-miles
• 1944: 2,675 million net ton-miles
• 1960: 1,318 million net ton-miles
• 1970: 2,462 million net ton-miles

The Pittsburgh, Bessemer, and Lake Erie Railroad Company was established in 1897 by Andrew Carnegie to transport iron ore and other goods from Conneaut's port to Carnegie Steel plants in Pittsburgh and its surroundings. On the return leg, coal from Pennsylvania was transported back to Conneaut Harbor. This railroad emerged from several smaller predecessors, such as the Pittsburgh, Shenango, Lake Erie Railroad (PS&LE) and Butler and Pittsburgh Railroad, using the heaviest rail found on any American line to accommodate heavy conventional locomotives.

Chapter 5: The Transition and Challenges

In 1900, the company was rebranded as the Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad, which saw Carnegie Steel securing a 99-year lease on the PS&LE. This lease was later acquired by U.S. Steel when it took over Carnegie Steel in 1901. By the end of 1925, B&LE managed 228 miles of railroad over 631 miles of track, with mileages adjusting to 220 and 489 by 1970.

In 1988, the B&LE became part of Transtar, Inc., a privately held transportation holding company with various freight operations. By 2001, it transitioned to Great Lakes Transportation, LLC, before being acquired by CN in 2004. Despite these changes, iron ore and coal remain the primary freight commodities on this route.

Chapter 6: Connections and Clientele

B&LE connects with other railroads, including Norfolk Southern Railway at Wallace Junction and Shenango Yard in Greenville. The Union Railroad, a Class III switching railroad, links at B&LE's southern terminus in Penn Hills' North Bessemer Yard, serving major clients like the USS Mon Valley Works.

Additionally, CSX connects at Shenango Yard, while the Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad links at Calvin Yard in Butler, Pennsylvania. Previously, B&LE also had interchanges with the New York Central System and later with Penn Central Railroad and Conrail until the line's abandonment in 1988.

Chapter 7: Greenville as the Hub

Greenville, Pennsylvania, serves as the primary rail yard, along with locomotive and car shops for the B&LE. The railroad invested in early diesel electric switching locomotives, initially painted in black with yellow accents. In 1950, they adopted vibrant orange and black for their locomotives and equipment. Hopper cars designated for transporting iron ore were painted rust-colored to minimize visible stains.

Conclusion

This article concludes the first part of our three-part series on the Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad, covering its foundational history, operational routes, affiliations, and challenges. We hope this exploration has been insightful and encourages you to follow along for the subsequent articles that will further illuminate the story of B&LE.