In its heyday, the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western was a super railroad. Visionary management rebuilt and modernized the line in the early years of the 20th century, spending vast amounts of private capital on massive line relocations characterized by massive concrete viaducts.
I can only imagine what the railroad would have been like with its multiple track mainline, numerous signal towers, and a steady flow of freight and passenger trains.
On the afternoon of October 17th, Pat Yough and I revisited the DL&W line over Pocono Summit, and explored the area around Slateford Junction and Portland, Pennsylvania.
I made these views of the old Lackawanna infrastructure. While the old ‘Lackawanna Cut-off’ built in 1908 was abandoned by Conrail in the 1980s, other portions of the DL&W in the area remain active, although it’s a shadow compared to the intensively traveled mainline of a century ago.
Yet, the decayed vestiges of this once super railroad remain a fascinating testimony to the earlier era. A time when coal was the railroad’s life blood, and the dull roar of interstate highways and jet aero planes was still far in the future.
Coming soon: the DL&W Lives on with Norfolk Southern and Delaware-Lackawanna freights.
Tracking the Light Posts Daily!
Thanks! Cheers,
Brian
Great pictures and great post (as usual)! I grew up near the Lackawanna cutoff, and always loved walking and riding my bike along the old right-of-way. There was (and is) still much to see from old buildings to signal posts, mileposts, tunnels, you name it! Some much more difficult to get to and more hidden than others which makes them more interesting in my mind. These ‘Ghosts’ continue to remind us of better times, and your shots brought that out well. Excellent work!
Also, as a side point, I guess you could say some of these ‘ghosts’ may become ‘zombies’ as NJ Transit slowly works to restore portions of the old Lackawanna cutoff! 🙂
Terrific pictures of a fascinating line. No sightings of Phoebe Snow though!
Wonderful old subjects. I always admired the D.L.& W. trains , roadbed and stations . I wish I had more chances to ride the Lackawanna before
and after the E-L merger .