(erielack) Re: Youngstown Perishables

[Smtimko_@_aol.com]

Paul, Steve, and list..........
 
There was a significant amount of perishable traffic in Youngstown  right up 
to the end of the EL.
 
The B&O had a move from their Hazelton Yard (different spelling  than the EL 
and PRR Haselton) to a stub end team track in  downtown Youngstown near Front 
and Market Streets.  They served it  daily with meat and produce.
 
The EL had Kaleel Produce along West Commerce Street near Belmont  Avenue, 
actually right along the North Avenue Coach Yard.  Kaleel was a  major player in 
the potato business along with other produce.  The  place was switched at 
least once a day, sometimes more.
 
The EL also had an A&P warehouse near Albert Street which was east  of Valley 
Street Tower.  A yard crew ran from Youngstown in the middle  of the night to 
the NYC interchange (physically North of Valley St) and pulled  produce for 
the A&P.  I seem to recall it was on a long lead,  up a steep hill.  That job 
was called the "Banana Run."
 
There were (and still are) a couple of food warehouses on the Wickliffe  
Branch (Y&A RR) that received perishables also.  I believe the Ohio  Central has a 
dedicated crew with an SW-1 at this location presently serving a  potato 
warehouse.  
 
Also, while not directly in Youngstown, but served out of Niles, there  was a 
warehouse in the Austintown Industrial Park off of the N&L Branch  at West 
Austintown owned by Tamarkin Foods.  Tamarkin was the owner  of Valu King 
Supermarkets, which became Giant Eagle (and later Phar-Mor)  and are now 
headquartered in Pittsburgh and served by the P&OC.  Have  seen refers at the Tamarkin 
Warehouse years ago but don't know if it was  produce or frozen. 
 
(As a note--I believe Railpace mentions in the current edition that the  Y&A 
and the lead to West Austintown off of the N&L Branch connected at  one time.  
That is not correct.  They are several miles apart.)
 
Finally, Sharon was big in the perishable traffic market.  There were  meat 
packing plants and well as grocery warehouses (Golden Dawn).   Hopefully Cal 
Banse, a former Sharon resident will provide more detail on this  area.
 
SMT



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