rail and river traffic in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, early 20th century

The Monongahela River — often referred to locally as the Mon — runs 130 miles (210 km) on the Allegheny Plateau through north-central West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania. It joins the Allegheny River to form the Ohio River at Pittsburgh.

In 2006, the navigation system, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, was reported to have nine dam-locks along the river which overcame a change in elevation of about 147 feet (44.8 metres).

The train is likely but not necessarily one of the Pennsylvania Railroad.