CONWAY, Pennsylvania (CONWAY YARD)

Work on the Conway Yard Project, the largest single active construction project on the Pennsylvania Railroad, was started February 23, 1953 and has now been under construction for 4½ years.

The eastward yard and supporting facilities were placed in service early in 1956 and construction was continued on the westward facilities. A portion of the westward receiving yard and 30 tracks in westward classification yard were placed in service in April 1957 with 15 additional tracks for a total of 45 tracks in service August 1, 1957. About 30% of westward advance and relay yard was placed in service in September 1957. The entire project, which will represent an investment of 37 million dollars ($37,000,000), is now about 89% complete with final completion scheduled for summer of 1958.

The operating economy resulting from completion of the entire yard and related improvements and the elimination or reduction of other yards made possible thereby, with other incidental economies, will effect a saving of $10,700,000 annually, or 31% on the investment.

The project will greatly improve the service of the railroad to its patrons. Savings of 12 hours are now possible on some eastward schedules. When all of the westbound yard is placed in service in 1958, savings in time will be increased from 2 to 24 hours.

Many new methods and devices make Conway one of the most modern freight classification facilities in the world. The completed eastward yard facilities comprise a receiving yard of nine tracks with a capacity of 1,107 cars, a 54-track classification yard holding 3,557 cars, 9 advance and relay tracks with a capacity of 1,146 cars, and 7 shop tracks for 236 cars; total capacity-6,046 cars.

The ultimate westward yard facilities will include: receiving yard of 9 tracks, capacity 1,269 cars, of which 6 tracks, capacity 902 cars, were placed in service in April 1957; classification yard of 53 tracks, capacity 3,511 cars, of which 30 tracks, capacity 1,745 cars, were placed in service in April 1957 with an additional 15 tracks, capacity 1,276 cars, in service in August 1957; advance and relay yard of 10 tracks, capacity 1,162 cars, of which 3 tracks, capacity 455 cars, were placed in service in September 1957; total capacity-5,942 cars.