Saturday, January 28, 2023
The Pusher Engine at the Carrie Blast Furnaces. Photo by Kevin Scanlon.
Industrial Transportation

We live in an era of content creators and influencers. How much can an individual actually digest? And how relevant is that content to those who consume it? As much as we might not want to admit it, this newsletter shares some commonalities with the social media popstars—our stories contain content that we hope you take the time to enjoy.

The differences lie in our frequency, motivations, and outcomes. Our clicks don't equal revenue; they create opportunities to share what's going on in our communities, to extend knowledge and perspectives. Like any publisher, we do have stories we want to tell, but we also like to share more about what you're interested in . . . and without overwhelming you with constant communications!

Which brings us to today's theme: industrial transportation. As it turns out, some of the most popular content on our website are stories about steamboats, railroads, barges, and early automobiles. So, let us oblige—here's a Top Five list on the topic.

And in the spirit of giving the people what they want, we thought you'd enjoy an update on the restoration of the #101 Pusher Engine at Carrie, a story we first shared in 2020.

Back then, when many of us were looking forward to when we could travel again, we also penned a number of transportation-themed driving itineraries to highlight attractions within the Rivers of Steel Heritage Area. Check out the collection of them here and start planning your weekend road trips for this spring!

That's all we have to share with you today. However, if you have story ideas that you'd like to share with us, send us an email—and we'll see what we can do!
The Pusher Engine prior to restoration.
FEATURED STORY
Restoring the Pusher Engine—A Volunteer Story
In our recent story on The Historic Preservation of the Carrie Blast Furnaces, we mentioned that much of the early cleanup onsite was done with the help of volunteers. Keith Clouse and Kevin Scanlon are two individuals who have donated their time and expertise with us in many ways, including acting as tour guides, since that time. In recent years, they have led the efforts at Carrie to restore the Pusher Engine, a General Electric 80-ton locomotive . . .
CURATED CONTENT
Top Five Industrial Transportation Stories
Since Pittsburgh was founded nearly 265 years ago, its topography has influenced its development. While industries have waxed and waned, industrial transportation over this land has shaped its legacy. Here are our five most popular stories on that theme.
ROUTES TO ROOTS
Things to Do in the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area!
Travel is the very means of human connection, opening up throughways between different people and their cultures. Digging into the history of southwestern Pennsylvania and sharing themed itineraries filled with museums, attractions, collections, and sites, Rivers of Steel crafted a series of articles that offer innumerable ways to explore the Heritage Area.
Help preserve our region’s industrial and cultural heritage! Your tax-deductible contribution will help ensure that Rivers of Steel can continue to offer vital, engaging, community-based arts, education, and heritage programs for the residents of southwestern Pennsylvania and beyond.
Catch up with Rivers of Steel! Read our most recent newsletter or prior updates.