The Byrnesville Snow Train

From page 227 of the Centennial History of Barnesboro, Pennsylvania: 1894-1994...

On a winter's night around 10:00 P.M. in January, 1928, Angelo Dominic, track laborer on the Barnesboro crew, was called out to work. Strong winds, snow, sleet, and freezing temperatures were causing problems on the line from 10th Street in Barnesboro through Byrnesville, Allport, and Cymbria. Mr. Dominic was the only man called out and his assignment was to open up rail crossings, switches, and crossovers on the three mile section of track. After reaching Cymbria, the entire line had to be cleaned over again because of the blowing snow. This job needed to be done thoroughly so the trains could reach the loaded cars at the various coal mine sidings without having problems.
The tools used by Angelo on this job were a pick, shovel, and broom. The time-and-a-half rate of pay was 59¢ per hour.

Bartock, Jack. Centennial History of Barnesboro, Pennsylvania: 1894-1994.
           Barnesboro: The Committee, 1994.

Photo Credits: The photograph has been digitally manipulated for illustration. Use
           permission from Gary Mittner's Pennsylvania Railroad Homepage Photos.