Done, Dirt Cheap
Monday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Welcome back to Pittsburgh, where a humble narrator recently took a short walk in search of a couple of pints of beer and passing locomotives.
Norfolk Southern’s tracks ride on an elevated berm in this area, carven out of the cliff face of Mount Washington itself. The opening, beneath that trestle it’s riding on, is the transit tunnel normally used for buses and the T light rail. Said tunnel has been undergoing a rehabilitation project for the last few months.
I heard a train coming, and managed to capture a quick peek of #4462 when it appeared in a break through the verge.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
It was about 4-5 in the afternoon as I was moving through this zone, and vehicle traffic was beginning to stack up, in the approaches to various bridges, and tunnels, and the on-ramps to high speed roads.
Me? I was in a mood.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Nothing specific was wrong, in terms of triggers, just woke up unhappy and easily angered by minor stimuli. Like an asshole. I’d been trapped by obligation and climate for nearly a week, and really needed a day off.
This post is being written mid month, incidentally, whereas you’re receiving it at the end of July. I’ve managed to rebuild my ‘lead time’ here at Newtown Pentacle in the last month or so, and hope that I’m able to maintain a two to three week ‘ahead of schedule’ posture moving forward. Hate publishing a post when the ‘the pixels are still wet.’
I always strive for lead time here, but it seldom works out.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The brewery I haunt, in this area, is found alongside a set of CSX’s Pittsburgh Subdivision tracks and it’s one of the choke points for that rail outfit’s operations here. If one of their train sets is coming through the city, heading east or west, it’s quite likely going to be moving past this spot. What? You’ve never gone fishing? You go where the fish are forced to go and drop the hook there.
That structure on the left is part of a concrete company.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
CSX #7030 appeared, and I wanted to get a slightly different point of view for this photo than I normally do when at this spot.
It was the only train that appeared while I was there.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The locomotive was heading westwards, likely into Ohio at some point, after passing through McKees Rocks, where the company has one of its corporate outposts. I imagine there’s crew turnover there, but I’m just guessing. This is the POV I normally use when here, as a note.
Back tomorrow.
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The Newtown Pentacle 
Any possibility to grab some photos of the brewery’s you haunt? I have a list of Pittsburgh dive bars, and would like to add to that list. Pittsburgh is the epi-center of dive bars.
Todd Weidman
July 28, 2025 at 1:47 pm
Well, that’s a mission if I’ve ever heard one… lol. Sly Fox isn’t really a dive, truth be told, but you can find it here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/anth4i9UZgUadexXA?g_st=ipc I’d love to see the list, btw.
Mitch Waxman
July 28, 2025 at 3:03 pm
I have a dream to fulfill that mission, but needs to wait until i retire. Still slogging at 61, but I don’t want to spend the energy too much longer. Too many interests to chase, and I’m counting the days.
Sharing my list for Pittsburgh here.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/PtfuKBHh7Nvcd2Y19
Please note it includes several Elks Lodges. I’m the Treasurer of an Elks Lodge, and always get a kick out of visiting out of town locations. You get a warm reception.
Lastly – been following your blog religiously for several years. Love your writing and photography – thanks for what you do.
Todd Weidman
July 29, 2025 at 9:57 am