Sheppardsfield is a small
mountain town which resides approximately 5 miles west of Nickel City.
The town has a small siding which serves a storage and transfer
warehouse, a metal
fabrication plant and a team track. A small siding just east of
town serves the Nickel City
Mining Company's Mine No. 6. This mine produces a
moderate amount of coal on a
every other day basis.
A renovated train station
serves commuter and long distance passenger traffic for the town. Town
live seems to revolve around the comings and goings of the
railroad. It is not unusual
to see lifelong residents stop what they are doing to watch
a passing freight.
A cut of loaded coal hoppers
sit on a siding at Mine No. 6 awaiting pickup.
NCL Local engine 269 prepares
to remove a cut of loaded coal cars from the Mine 6 yard while the security guard takes time to talk with a lost
driver.
An NCL freight exits Tunnel 15 beside Mine No. 6. This
is one of the more popular railfan sights along the NCL.
Here's another photo taken by a railfan on a hill over
looking Mine No. 6. Judging from the vantage point of this picture,
the railfan is inside the mine's security fence. Sure hope the guards
are not out on patrol!
Main Street in Sheppardsfield is busy for
this Sunday afternoon in the summer.
The eastbound local passes by
town of Sheppardsfield (left) and Sheppardsfield
Storage and Transfer Company
(right) on its way to Nickel City.
A head on view of the same
eastbound local shows the dark and threatening clouds
behind the town of
Sheppardsfield. Looks like another summer storm is about
drench the town folk.
Better grab your umbrella.
Metal Fabricators is one of
the small local industries in Sheppardsfield that rely on the efficient service provided by
the Nickel City Line Railroad.
Repair crews are trying to
restore the area water supply after an old iron pipe ruptured this morning.
All the activity hasn't stopped Pennsylvania Train BF4 from going about its
business on its way towards Nickel City.
What a treat on an overcast
Sunday to see Thomas the Tank Engine pass through town. Nickel City was
proud to participate in the Day Out With Thomas program.
Parents and children alike
enjoyed a train ride with Thomas through the scenic
Allegheny Mountains. Residents of
Sheppardfield enjoyed a glimpse of the
smiling steam engine as past through town on his
way up the mountain to Canova.