Special Stories of Genealogy and Historical Interest
(Please share similar stories with us)
Bennett's Valley, its Railroads, and the "Hoodlebug"
Contributed by Rich Levine and Bob Nay
The Hoodlebug and the Valley
Memories of the Railroad in Bennett's Valley
Because of its growing coal and lumber industry, railroads became an important part of the Valley's economic life.
And up until the mid 1930s, visitors and residents could travel daily from Driftwood to DuBois on the light rail
passenger trains known as the "Hoodle Bug".
This article is the platform for a series to remember and commerate the railroads and its people in Bennett's Valley.
You have the opportunity to share these stories and memories of this special railroad history- either passenger or
freight trains. Please contact Bob Nay or
Rich Levine to share your stories, memories, history, pictures, etc.
This could be a unique story of the past and may set some directions of the future. Also this is only a beginning
step for the history of the railroads here. If you see any mistakes or corrections please let Bob Nay know
In the Valley it all
began with the Low Grade section of the Allegheny Valley Railroad in 1869. The railroad -
later known as the Pennsylvania Railroad, then the Conrail Line- went from Driftwood to Dubois and beyond the stations.
Intermediate stations were located along the way at Grant, Summerson, Benezette, Caledonia, Weedville, Cardiff's
Major Station, and Penfield.
The Pennsylvania line was on one side of the Bennettt's Branch and another line of the B & O ( previously the
Buffalo & Susquehanna)was on the other. This
line provided passenger and freight services to principal stations in Medix Run, Summerville, Brookville, Reynoldsville and 14
minor stations, including one in Falls Creek. The B&O would use the B&S tracks from DeBois to Sinnemehonig,
where a new 73 mile line would be built parallel to the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks, to connect to the Reading
Railroad at Williamsport, PA.
Railraod stations were placed all along these lines often on both sides of the creek.
Several smaller railroads connected to the Pennsylvania and B & O lines for special commerical purposes such as
hauling coal. These included the Shamut Railroad, the B & S Railroad,, the Dents Run Railroad, and the Winslow
Colliery Railroad to name a few.
Railroad Memories
In researching this story, I heard from a people who spent their youth in the Valley and said they watched the
trains go by but were never allowed to go near them. Some of there rememberances follow:
They remember a grandfather bringing chicken eggs from his farm to put on the B & O to go to the hatchery
in Reynoldsville, and also chicks coming back on the train for grandpa to pick up.
Some of their personal trips were to get on the Pennsylvania line and go to DuBois to see the doctor or
dentist. Neither remember going to St Marys much because the train didn't go that way easily.
The Hoodlebug as I know it was used to provided transportation between Dents Run and Wilmer. Wilmer
at one time was a thriving coal town that now has been become a ghost town. The Dents Run railroad and the rail
lines running to through Dent Run from Driftwood and DuBois and beyond did connect to one another. The
person who last run the Hooldebug was Sam Snook, and in his absentness Bill Harrison.
The village of Dry Saw Mill was renamed Grant, as the railroad installed a siding here in preparation for
President Grant's visit here in 1870. They named the siding Grant, and the town became known as Grant.
A Listing of Current Stories
This last paragraph gives us a little insight to the railroad experiences in the Valley. Other stories that are
contributed would be identifed below and linked to that story:
Please share your Stories and Memories of the Valley's Railroads
You have the opportunity to share these stories and memories of this special railroad history- either passenger or
freight trains. Please contact Bob Nay to share your stories, memories, history, pictures, etc.
All materials located on this website are the sole
property of the Mt. Zion Historical Society and its contributors. Contact us for permission to use
beyond your individual non-commercial purposes
In the Valley it all
began with the Low Grade section of the Allegheny Valley Railroad in 1869. The railroad -
later known as the Pennsylvania Railroad, then the Conrail Line- went from Driftwood to Dubois and beyond the stations.
Intermediate stations were located along the way at Grant, Summerson, Benezette, Caledonia, Weedville, Cardiff's
Major Station, and Penfield.