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KV Takes Over M&CC Passenger ServiceAs 1926 rolled around, the automobile was taking a big bite out of passenger revenues for many railroads. One hit especially hard was the Mifflin & Centre County Railroad (AKA PRR's Milroy Branch), which ran from the PRR main line in Lewistown up through Reedsville and on into Milroy. It not only had the automobile and buses to contend with but the trolley as well. The M&CC's passenger traffic had thinned out so dramatically that, in the summer of 1927, PRR applied to the Pennsylvania Public Service Commission to completely withdraw all passenger service between Lewistown and Milroy.When the directors caught wind of this, they met with several local PRR officials to discuss the possibility of the KV replacing PRR's passenger service between Reedsville and Lewistown. The Pennsy was very responsive to this offer, for this made it possible for the Commission to approve the withdrawal application. A mutual agreement was soon reached. PRR drew up a contract which the director accepted. Milroy was completely cut off in the deal. Neither railroad could afford the time or expense of running a 13-mile (21 kilometers) round trip from Reedsville station in hopes of finding a few passengers standing on the Milroy platform. Buses had already reached that town and would take over the mail and express as well. The Pennsy freight train, however, continued to visit Milroy on a less regular basis, since its traffic from the Naginey quarries was still a good paying proposition. On Friday, January 20,1928, the KV took over where Pennsy had left off, expanding its service the additional 6.5 miles (10.5 kilometers) between Reedsville and the PRR main line at Lewistown Junction, making a total run of 16.1 miles (25.9 kilometers) from Belleville, three times a day. (See Mifflin & Centre County Railroad Route for a timetable.) Passengers were not the only commodity that the KV picked up between Reedsville and Lewistown; mail, paper consignments, express and baggage were also on its list. The latter included through shipment of milk, which was a booming business along the branch. It had been a big factor in covering the Pennsy's expenses for so long, and would help the KV as well. Since milk spoils quickly, daily service was essential, and it was only practical that KV be authorized to carry it. Although the contract called for KV to supply its own passenger equipment, PRR agreed to furnish refrigerated cars needed for this service. The KV paid the PRR a trackage-rights fee of 25 cents per train-mile; but this, combined with equipment maintenance and operation, was the only cost to the KV while on the Milroy Branch. Because Pennsy was still using the line for freight service, it continued to maintain its tracks and roadway. As an added bonus, PRR employees loaded and unloaded KV trains at M&CC stations at no additional charge. To cut costs even more, Getter sought and received permission for the train to fuel up each day at the PRR coal wharf at Lewistown Junction. The KV paid market price for the coal, but its engine crew was relieved of shoveling the coal in by hand, which had to be done when fueling in Belleville. |
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