Some of the required reading for my classes is difficult for me to get through, with my attention span. I start reading a paragraph only to find that I have zoned out and have to reread the last paragraph. So I have been scouring the Internet for free audio books. It is not easy, every one I have looked up is either free to sign up for a free trial, or they are free but don't have the book your looking for. I have to read "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" Oh what fun it is to read about Ivan Denisovich tonight!
Speaking of stories I've got one of my own.
There are some days when I just need to get out and explore, I've been asked around to see if there are any hiking or biking areas within walking distance. I found out that I could follow some train tracks that were right next to the college and find a bike trail. So I find out that you have to go down this hill to the schools rugby field. Cut diagonally across that and there will be this path to the tracks. Follow those and you'll find a bike trail. Sounds easy enough.
WHEN IT'S NOT WINTERING OUT!
Well this "hill" is more like a slope. With packed down snow, it was clear that someone was using it to snow board down because about half way down I saw one of those skateboard ramps and a snow board left near it.
 |
| The "Hill" |
OK first challenge conquered. Next the Rugby field. Not to difficult.
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| The Rugby Field |
|
|
Now where is that path? Oh here it is.
Doing good so far found the path and the train tracks.
I think I'll follow these for a while.
Oh look a train!
Wait, what's this?
An abandoned train station?! COOL!
Reminds me of the one back in CT but I am always driving past it and never think to look inside.
I think I'll poke around.
Guess I'm not going to the bike trail ^-^
To those who know me well this will come as no surprise, but I was drawn to this like a mosquito to a bug lamp; just without the electrifying conclusion.
Fair warning:
There were cans of spray paint around and it was evident that people had been using them. I apologize if anyone finds anything offensive. I was exploring and not really paying much attention to what was written/depicted.
Now I was a little leery to enter because of the decrepit state, and the drops in the floor.
As evident: Here
And here
These are some cool shots!
I did not feel brave enough at the time to go in because the wood floor had some holes in it. I had on a backpack and some heavy boots, I may be a light person but I did not feel lucky.
Perhaps I might go in on day when I'm feeling a little more bold, and it's a little warmer.
Well...thoughts racing I went back to school and looked up what I had found.
Here's what I found.
College Hill Station
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| College Hill |
College Hill Station
|
| Station statistics |
| Platforms |
2 |
| Tracks |
1 |
| Other information |
| Opened |
1910 |
History
The College Hill Station was constructed in 1910 by "The Little Giant", and was mostly used by
Geneva College students and community members of College Hill. Between the 1950s and 1980s, many railroad stations in
Western Pennsylvania,
and across the United States began shutting down. Unlike many stations
in the area, College Hill did not close down and survived well into the
1980s. During this time, the P&LE ran a commuter train between
Beaver Falls and
Pittsburgh
with the College Hill station located at the north terminus. On July
12, 1985, the P&LE made its last commuter run, making College Hill
the last station to be used by passengers on the railroad. This would
also be the final passenger train for the station. By 1993, the P&LE
was bought by
CSX Transportation, and the station was abandoned.
Current status
The station building is still standing as of 2012, but is slowly
deteriorating after being closed for more than twenty years. It is also
located at the bottom of a large embankment along the
Beaver River near the
Eastvale Bridge. Because of its locale, the station can easily be missed. Many students at
Geneva College are unaware that the station even exists. As of 2012, there are no plans to restore the structure.
The End?
