Knox and Kane Era of the Kinzua Bridge

.With my love of the Knox & Kane Railroad and the Kinzua Viaduct, I have produced this concept video. It is my hope that sometime in the future this can be incorporated into a theater at the Kinzua Visitors Center at the Kinzua Bridge State Park for the public to enjoy. The video presents historic 8 mm film of the train crossing the Kinzua Valley and later crossings by trains of the Knox and Kane Railroad..

[@ElementofKindness]

Man . . . . I do miss the 80's and 90's.

[@danielmcfadden1]

Had the privilege of riding on the Knox and Kane railroad several times, Sloan Cornell was an amazing man!

[@danielfoster3642]

Nice history lesson about the B&O Marienville branch, the Knox and Kane Railroad, and the Kinzua Viaduct. I only rode the K&K once, in August 2003, exactly a month after the tornado destroyed the viaduct. You could only view the damage from the lookout at the south end of the viaduct. The part of the viaduct that was not destroyed by the tornado has since been reopened, with the stub end being converted into an overlook. As for the Knox and Kane Railroad, unfortunately, they were not so lucky. The railroad tracks were removed in the early 2010s, and is now a rail trail, also called the Knox & Kane. The 58 is now at the Valley Railroad in Connecticut, while the 38 is at the Everett Railroad in Altoona, Pennsylvania. She is currently stored in the Everett Railroad shops awaiting a rebuild and return to steam. The Everett Railroad does have an operating steam locomotive, however. They recently restored former Bath & Hammondsport No. 11 to service, and she pulls occasional excursions during the year.

[@bendover9411]

We rode an excursion in the early 2000's from Marienville, Pa to Clarion, Pa & back. It was a miracle the cars stayed on the tracks!

[@redram5150]

I have fuzzy memories of seeing this locomotive cross the Kinzua bridge in 1990. I was six. It was something else.

[@downtoearthconstruction7768]

My family has a cabin in tionesta when I was 6 (1992) my grandparents took me on the Knox and Kane over the gorge and also road I believe it was called the Sheffield RR on a tour when I was very little.

[@AllanLoveJr]

THIS REALLY BREAKS MY HEART :( RIP K&K RAILROAD.

[@AlphaWasSpotted]

I'm from Cleveland Ohio and the K&K railroad was a significant part of my childhood. It's a tragedy what happened to them.

[@CaseyJones16239]

Very Sad,. The bright side was the refurbishment of the fire damaged No.58 by the Valley Railroad in Essex Connecticut to become 3025. You might be interested in a new 2 hour video I just released called Trains Across the Kinzua Bridge. It has a much broader scope in time and the railroads discussed.

[@ScottTaipaleRail]

Thanks for the memories. I had the pleasure of riding in 1997, long before I started filming unfortunately!

[@mikegross6107]

I walked across the Kinzua bridge in 1968 while living in Warren and moved shortly thereafter. Would have LOVED to have taken that train across the bridge. Was saddened immensely to learn of the tornado damage but hopefully will return to walk to the skywalk and once again see that lovely view afforded everyone that goes there.

[@CaseyJones16239]

The view of the Kinzua Valley is breathtaking. The Skywalk can be windy and cold sometime. I think you would enjoy the visitors center as well.

[@OilHist]

I too visited the Kinzua bridge in 1968 with my parents. I was 7 years old and the railings were over my head. No wire fencing on the sides then. I have pictures.

[@bendover9411]

Very close to this bridge was an airliner crash in 1969, Allegheny Airlines flight 736

[@brucetharpe762]

The ending to the Knox and Kane made me shed a tear. What a horrible thing to happen to a little railroad.

[@DonTerhune1200cc]

Nothing says it better than a steam powered locomotive. Except a steam powered locomotive going across the Kinzua Bridge.

[@douglasskaalrud6865]

Says what better?

[@caribman10]

My wife and I twice spent long weekends in one of the Knox, Kane & Kinzua's cabooses and I'm sorry no mention of this was made. For those of you who don't know, you could rent a caboose for the weekend/however long you wanted; they would take you out as part of the consist for the ride, back you into a siding about 1/2 mile from the Bridge and leave you there. Next day, you became part of the experience, as regular riders passed you on the right of way on their way to the Bridge. The caboose was fully operational and could sleep up to six. More if you double-slept. There was a firepit on the sideline over which you could cook, and the caboose had a gas stove. At night, the silence was magical, and the stars were like pinholes in velvet. By the way, we RODE across the viaduct. It was a raw shock when we got news of the tornado damage, and worse when we heard about the disgruntled employees who torched the rolling stock. There will never be anything like it again, sadly.

[@CaseyJones16239]

Caribman10. Thanks for the excellent comment. While I was aware of this special service on the Knox and Kane, it was not a part of my experience and thus got overlooked. I have been working on a rather ambitious project the last four years called "Trains Across the Kinzua Bridge" and hope to release the two disk project latter this year. To make amends for this oversight there is still time to add the information about renting the caboose. I could use the information you have provided or anything else you would like to add. Do you have any clips or pics you would be willing to share? Mike -- Mikado Productions.

[@caribman10]

We still have our "Casey Jones" hats with the Knox, Kane patch on. Lydia is wearing her Knox, Kane t shirt right now, oddly enough. I'll take a look in the archive and find the photos we took on that great weekend. We'll be away for a couple of weeks but that will be a top-of-the-list item for when we get home. We actually stayed at the Kane View Motel and saw the train go by before we had our ride. One quick highlight - no, two. First, when we went out on the run, we were asked if there was anything we needed but didn't have. Lydia said, "We could use a quart of milk" . The next day, the train approached, slowed and stopped - and the young trainman (stoker?) came down off the loco and handed Lydia a paper bag with a quart of milk in it. You cannot make this stuff up!The passengers were a mix of bewildered and applausive. Second: we rejoin the consist after the long weekend and as we get back to the trainyard we hear a car horn - ours. Lydia had set the alarm, so of course every time the trains moved, the old Bonneville set off its alarm. Three days of that, wow.

[@CaseyJones16239]

Caribman10. I would like to include your story about the caboose stays in the upcoming release of the video "Trains Across the Kinzua Bridge". Could you befriend me at Mike Adams on facebook, This would permit us to talk about it off line through messenger. Thanks. Or send me a friend request.

[@CaseyJones16239]

When I had my cab ride as a teenager Marienville to Kane on the B&O the crew attached an extra box car so they could haul a four by eight plywood sheet to Kane which one of the crew had purchased in Marienville. When we got up in Allegheny Forest, near Russell city but way out in the wilderness, the train stopped to deliver a newspaper to a hermit. I look forward to your information about the caboose stay when you get back. The timing is perfect.

[@d.christmassnow1113]

I remember the "Caboose rental" on the Knox Kane Kinzua Railroad". A friend of mine did it back in 1995. I remember him saying it was "heaven on earth". Absolutely marvelous. I also remember it being advertised in a pamphlet that they sent out. That's how we knew about it. What a shame the tornado put all this to an end. I, at least got to ride the train across the viaduct before this tragedy happened.

[@donnadreyer2580]

Beautiful bridge with an amazing view

[@evanf1293]

Interesting fact Yard Goat Images was able to make all the Berkshire Production programs available on dvd and Knox & Kane is one of them.

[@stevepowell6896]

Very nice video. Such a sad ending to what must have been a great tourist railroad. Wish I would have had the chance to see it myself.

[@CaseyJones16239]

Hi Railroad Films. The short answer to this is "No." Mr. Cornel passed in March 27, 2010 and the 3025 rolled out in November of 2011. What I am researching is how aware he might have been of the events in 2008. The fire and auction. I have a vague recollection that he had a car accident that put him in an nursing home but that he monitored/directed the events from there. I'll report back when I get more information. Mike.

[@OilHist]

Here is Mr. and Mrs. Cornell's graves: www.findagrave.com/memorial/51458821/sloan-cornell

[@Dragon204]

the number 38 is currently undergoing restoration in Hollidaysburg pa by the Everett RR that got its name from owning the last the Huntington and Broad top RR even though that line is now gone in a away the number 38 is returning home

[@stevemason5173]

A place well, well worth visiting!!!

[@CoalCrackerCummins]

I know it will never happen but I would love to rebuild that bridge

[@MicroSoftner]

I was thinking the same thing, although it's interesting seen the bridge on the ground. It would be beautiful crossing a new bridge!

[@nicholasmedovich6729]

@@MicroSoftnerbridge will be rebuilt but tourist attractions won’t happen

[@ericschmidt7359]

The best part was staying in the caboose overnight at the bridge.

[@nicholasmedovich6729]

The D&H coach was scrapped after the arson attack. Also scrapped was a rare rs36. It was melted down and Same with a Penn Mountain coach and a caboose

[@michaelhudecek2778]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@nssteampunk4865]

That's the first time I have heard the 5 chime whistle from China and the air horn. I really like that B&M 6 chime it had; it was the same manufacturer Nathan valve. That was the also same type used on Santa Fe, Southern Pacific, maybe N&W. It almost sounded like Grand Canyon Railway #4960's ATSF whistle. I wouldn't prefer the 5 chime much but the 6 chime would sound nice on our #3 at Hocking Valley Scenic Railway.

[@CaseyJones16239]

Erich. That is new information about the whistle. Thanks. I did not like that blew the horn in addition to the whistle on the loco. I always wondered if it was required by the state. Take a listen to the old 58 after the restoration in CT in the video "Locomotive Not Die". I think it is a different whistle.

[@nssteampunk4865]

Mike Adams I heard rumors that the 6-chime whistle that it wore at K&K got burned, but from what I learned prior to the fire, someone saved the whistle and kept it in his barn. Maybe if we know who owns it we could get it for our #3 steam locomotive. Unfortunately, I don't think the original bell survived, but at least we have a bell for our steam locomotive.

[@royreynolds108]

Mike Adams It is interesting that Chinese steam locomotives have horns and whistles. The way I understand is the whistle was used out on the line and the horn when switching.

[@nssteampunk4865]

Roy Reynolds The 6 chime it wore almost sounded like ATSF #3751, GTW #6325 and Grand Canyon #4960.

[@nicholasmedovich6729]

Sloan Cornell IMO had a hit or miss record. Think about the horrific incident on the Gettysburg Railroad in 95. I believe the K&K may have acquired the double decker open car from Gettysburg in the mid 90s. I think. Also both open cars were scrapped if i correctly remember. No thanks to the fire. 3 coaches went to Heber Valley. Not sure about the others.

[@rem-so1ly]

I agree with you. Two locomotives, 1278 and ex-Mississippian # 76, were so poorly maintained by the Gettysburg they will likely never run again. I'm actually surprised they were allowed to continue operating the Knox & Kane after what happened with the Gettysburg. I'm surprised they didn't lose their insurance

[@douglasskaalrud6865]

So the anchors holding the bridge to the piers cracked. Hate to say it but maybe it was good that the tornado knocked it down when nobody was going to get hurt.

[@RailPreserver2K]

What happened to engine 38 is it still in existence

[@shanedolan5614]

The Knox and Kane is what got me into trains and railroads. I plan on making an HO scale of #58. But I do have a question which I hope can be answered. Since the auction did away with everything I was wondering who owns the roundhouse in Marienville and if there are any plans for it.

[@PittsburghAndLakeErie9405]

I also was thinking of an HO scale 58 😊

[@nicholasmedovich6729]

whatever happened to that 5 chime 1658 wore?? hope it didnt get scrapped

[@brucetharpe762]

May I ask, what do you think would’ve happened to the Knox & Kane if the fire never happened despite 2003?

[@CaseyJones16239]

Its hard to say, but I think that the deck was stacked against the KKRR. The 49 miles of track from Marienville to the Kinzua Bridge was deteriorating and the KKRR was not earning enough revenue to adequately maintain it. The tracks had been well maintained up through 1982 when the B&O abandoned the line. So it had been 20 years without extensive maintenance. But this is just conjecture.

[@MicroSoftner]

What was the motive for the arson?

[@williamou417]

I prefer this Chinese locomotive to be black and red than gray and black. Today's whistle doesn't match with it. I would like this locomotive sounds with whistle and horn

[@NHCX]

did the KKRR owner see how 3025 looks now

[@CaseyJones16239]

CONNECTICUTLEGORAILROADFILMS Sadly he did not. I think he was aware of the fire. Thanks for comment.

[@jamesmorvay9017]

Is it possible to buy the video.

[@CaseyJones16239]

James. The you tube video is based on a one hour video called "The History of the Knox and Kane and B&O Railroad as Well as the Kinzua Bridge". I am selling them for $10 and $5 shipping for one or $18 and $7 shipping for two. Please send a check to Mike Adams, Mikado Productions, 3840 Reinwood Drive, Dayton OH 45414. Please give the address to which to mail them. Let me know, [e-mail]. Thanks.

[@ericparola9264]

At about the two minute mark, is that a funnel cloud in the background? A few seconds more and it looks like there are two of them.

[@PereMarquette1225]

***** You're seeing sky between two white clouds. It was obviously a bright sunny day.

[@Zanenoth]

You bring up a good point considering the railway was hit by a tornado. It very easily could be blue sky between two clouds and then the same thing again. Yet, it does eerily appear like a couple of funnel clouds. Really the only way to tell would have been to look at the rest of the sky. See if the rest of the clouds were part of a supercell or storm system. You would see an inflow tail and a wall cloud lowering if they were funnel clouds.

[@Chunkman128]

The railroad should have never been removed. Screw kovalchick for tearing it out for scrap on top of the other rail lines they've ruined

[@TexasRailfan21-RailfanRyan]

Whatever happened to Baldwin 2-8-0 38 after the railroad closed?

[@nssteampunk4865]

It is at the Everett Railroad

[@CaseyJones16239]

ConnecticutFilms. Here is the rest of the answer regard Sloan Cornell provided by a family member. Mr. Cornell had a car accident which broke his hip. It slowed him down. He was informed of the arson fire. (Must have broken his heart). But he did not know of the restoration of the SyS 1658M. I conclude that since he did know of the restoration and who bought it, he must not have been aware of the Oct Auction.

[@RailPreserver2K]

Mike Adams I'm sure Pennsylvania could have rebuilt the bridge, sure it would have cost alot but they would not have lost a very profitable and well loved Railroad

[@jeremylando40]

The guy who owned those railroads must have had awful luck

[@CaseyJones16239]

Sloan Cornell was the owner and founder of the Knox and Kane Railroad. Prior he owned the Gettysburg Railroad and his initial was a tourist railroad on his farm. He was a great visionary to have connected his railroad in Mt Jewett to the Kinzua Bridge. It was a very popular tourist attraction. Once the bridge was destroyed in 2003 the trains could only come up to the edge of the damaged bridge. Revenues plummeted and the trains stopped in 2004. In my opinion the Knox and Kane RR was coming to an end anyway. The B&O had maintained the 49 miles of track well when the sold it to Mr Cornell. Mr Cornell did not have the money to maintain that much track. But after more than 20 years without maintained the ties were deteriorating and trains were beginning to derail. This was true down around Shippenville when Mr Cornell was trying to haul freight. The other Major factor was the this was a late in life effort by Mr. Cornell. There was no one to take over. His son had been badly injured in a boiler explosion when he was an engineer on the Getty. I don't have the facts on this. At some point latter Mr. Cornell was involved in an auto accident. But I don't know much about this either. It could be viewed as bad luck when the prized locomotive, No. 58 was severely damaged in an arson fire in Kane. But a number of positive things came out of this. No. 58 was bought by a railroad in New England and after a three year effort was fully restored. I have had the privilege's of engineer it for an hour in 2012. A remnant of the bridge has become the Sky Walk a wonder tourist attraction the allow the tourists to come out to the center of the Kinzua Valley and look at the beautiful forest. In the fall the colors of the trees are spectacular. The Knox and Kane is becoming a scenic recreational trail when the track was removed. While only parts have been finished there are sections of it that have been well developed The segment from Lantz Corner to the Kinzua bridge is a beauty ride with an exceptional developed trail built with TNC by a group of enthusiastic volunteers who live around My Jewett.

[@jeremylando40]

@@CaseyJones16239 what I mean was he owned both the Knox and Kane and the Gettysburg and one had a steam explosion and the other had the bridge get destroyed

[@jasonblake1908]

Ilkthisvedovereynic

[@tomrogers9467]

Does Mommy know you’re playing with her i-pad?