Last Runs of the Bessemer Bullet: March 5, 1955

Update- May 22, 2014:
I'm very sad to report that the creator of this film, Mr. Ron Kendig, died on May 20, 2014 at Millcreek Community Hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania following a brief illness. Arrangements are incomplete at this time but will be handled by Edder Funeral Home in Girard. RIP.
This film, shot by Ron Kendig of Girard, depicts the final runs of the Bessemer Bullet on March 5, 1955. B&LE 801 and 802 are shown pulling the regular consist for several runs followed by the "last" train pulling three passenger coaches and a combination car. Film was taken in Girard, Fairview Township, and Erie, Pennsylvania; includes rare footage of the Bessemer track formerly located on West 12th Street in the City of Erie. I'm told this was the only line in the country where trains had to stop for (regular) vehicular traffic lights! The film ends at the Erie Terminal of the B&LE, located where the Times Publishing Company now stands at the intersection of West 12th Street and Sassafras Street.

[@geralddore8393]

I am so glad he filmed this I wish he filmed more thanks

[@james6275]

Look at that no one looking down at their phones!!!

[@railsofthenorthland1181]

The Bessemer is one of my favorite railroads. Behind the DM&IR.

[@warrencleversy2773]

Railroads were the way to move the masses. But then the automobile became the economical way to get around. Thus killing off passenger train services in many parts of our country. But those who have never ridden a passenger train to the big city have missed the rail thrills that made riding a train easy to get from point a to b and beyond.

[@billconserva1461]

So sad what has happened to the railroad passengers service. I think Eisenhower put highways first instead of sharing equal investments in both.

[@sandrasaliga4299]

My daddy, Peter Kemling, and uncle,Ed Kemling let my brotherPete and myself ride in the last car....bright red caboose with pot belly stove and sleeping bearths. What fun from Girard to turning around in Erie and back. Still love the sounds of the rails and the Bessemer's horn was awesome! Such fond memories!

[@pauls.8080]

My maternal grandfather was a B&LE employee, Mom's family would ride to Erie from Greenville on a Saturday to shop in Erie and return. It was easier than getting to Sharon or Youngstown though they went that way a few times too. This was in the 1920s and 30s. In summer, they would spend a few hours at Waldameer. Mom says they went there as often as going to Conneaut Lake Park. On the Greenville end, the final runs [as reported] had to detour along the KO line, train had to go south to KY then head north on the KO line due to flooding of Old Main at Osgood. And the reverse on the return. When they were still running steam [up to Nov.1952] the Nickel Plate asked them to speed it up on the NKP tracks that the B&LE ran on from Wallace Jct to Cascade. Seems they were holding up those NKP 700s and their fast freights. These trains #12 & #13 were daily except Sunday as was their counterpart #1 & #2 [North Bessemer-Greenville] which ended a couple years before. It had been since early 1930s they had a train that ran the length of line, actually IIRC it used the BR&P/B&O to reach Pittsburgh at one time. I will have to check references later. I only got to see those B&LE 800's [801-3] run passenger when they ran the annual B&LE Veteran Employee specials to Conneaut Lake Park from the south. That ended about 1965. The only B&LE passenger equipment was one combination coach-baggage, three business cars. The rest of the train were Erie Stillwells borrowed from the Erie/E-L; the last year it was PRR coaches.

[@kleetus92]

Wow... thank you for posting!

[@qmopar]

Great peek into a bygone era. Thank you for sharing this!

[@jamessteadman6157]

Thank you for posting. That was amazing!

[@PhillipMcCallum]

thank you

[@BessemerLakeErie902]

Awesome! My grandpa has told me stories when he ride this train from Girard to Erie. He used to live on Olin Avenue which is very close to the station!

[@Westerner78]

Notice mail and express was gone! That killed thousands of trains. GM got this done, and the railroads thought it would stay on their freights! B&LE has a major highway in that corridor. Pittsburgh to Erie it should have passenger service today. All trains have reservations on them today in intercity service to keep people from standing in the aisles!

[@jasonlane8739]

it would be nice if had that back again😇

[@CharmainMeaow-er8hs]

even the ephemeral scenes, who would think to film a gas station? but now, after all of these years, it is gold.

[@Paleoferrosaurus]

@Jerry Dore -- nearest roundhouse on the B&LE was located at the Albion Yards, about eight miles south of Girard. That was torn down sometime in the late 1950's to mid-1960's. There was an "Armstrong" (Human Powered) turntable at the Erie Terminus where the Times Publishing Co. is currently located. Glad you liked the video -- I'll pass that on to Mr. Kendig who shot it.

[@BessemerLakeErie902]

+Micheal McCabe He is still alive?

[@mikeenssle7259]

Too bad there wasn't more shot from the 50s through the 80s really neat to see what did and did not change around the railroad!

[@denniesdore]

I still love this

[@DanielPRails]

I was thinking of retracing this route all the way to downtown as a little video project for myself. I am curious if you would allow me to use some segments from your video to help compare past and present. I grew up in Girard and although it was long after this video was shot I love tracking down history in this area. Thank you for this either way

[@Paleoferrosaurus]

Ron Kendig, the late creator of the original film, was most interested in preserving the memory of the Bessemer Passenger trains. I'm sure he would be honored to allow such a use. Post a link when you're done!

[@DanielPRails]

Thank you for the response and I can certainly do that!

[@hughc.buckel9553]

Great video! Wish there was more of it out there showing Erie's rich railroad past.

[@er1073]

I did not know that B&LE had a passenger service. I was soon to be three years old when this was filmed. Thank for the video. Where was this filmed at?

[@Paleoferrosaurus]

The opening sequence is set in Girard Borough, the video ends at the B&LE Terminal at W. 12th and Sassafras in Erie (the present location of the Times Publishing Co.)

[@denniesdore]

i love this video

[@billconserva1461]

I am always fascinated of passenger service on these lesser know railroad lines. Does anyone have input on Union Railroad of western Pa. passenger service?

[@toddferguson549]

Don’t believe the Union ever had any passenger service...

[@jodysmith7934]

This was so awsome!!!!

[@bobgallo2178]

Cool, thanks for being hunting this one down.

[@defaultname2498]

Very nice? What are the songs? More info plz!

[@jbscustomartwork]

Great Video! Best Regards

[@willnic9437]

Nice music too! :)

[@AlcoLoco251]

Who is the music from

[@denniesdore]

ws there a round house around there

[@StanleyStallion87]

I would pay anything to see the glory days of the Bessemer....... sure, I railfan the B&LE now south of Butler but these were the days I'd love to see....

[@denniesdore]

is there anyone still alive from this erea

[@BessemerLakeErie902]

+Jerry Dore Yeah! My grandpa rode this train as a kid and he is only 70.

[@danielboone3770]

😍

[@danielboone3770]

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