As described in this video, • [4K60] Four AVR SD60Ms... , starting in early 2022, the Homer City Generating Station began receiving coal from the Nelms 2 mine in West Virginia. In February 2023, Homer City announced that it was ending coal-fired operations, citing several factors. Consequently, this late January 2023 move would prove to be the last of the AVR coal trains. I took time off from work and drove up from Washington, DC, at night. When I stopped by the interchange to make sure the train had arrived, I happened upon WE delivering the consist, featuring the GP35 - SD40 trio that these trains tended to use. The following morning, myself, @NS5350 and @ConwayProductions would chase the run from Bruceton to Mars, PA. I had to get back to work, but they would record the light power returning to Pittsburgh.
These trains originated on the Wheeling & Lake Erie, were interchanged to the AVR, and then handed off to the Buffalo & Pittsburgh for final delivery. The AVR portion of the routing was the only portion that consistently ran in daylight, and was also the closest to my house. Besides the all-shortline routing, I was obsessed with the AVR runs because they often required helpers, and because they were the only trains to use the Pittsburgh & Western subdivision in daylight.
(0:00) Intro
(0:15) W&LE delivers the train at Bruceton
Consist: GP35 100, SD40-2s 6989, 3048, 6354
(2:41) AVR-E running light to Bruceton
Consist: SD60Ms 6002, 6003, 6004
(4:11) AVR-E coupling to their train
(6:09) Departing Bruceton
- Run 8 action!
(12:31) Streets Run
(13:10) Glenwood Yard
(13:44) Departing Glenwood
- Added GP59 4551
(14:53) Crossing the 33rd Street Bridge
(17:49) Etna Tunnel
(18:55) Bakerstown Grade
(19:52) Valencia, Downieville Rd.
(21:46) Light power south at Mars