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Finding the Finest Railroading in the Electric City- Scranton, PA

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Finding the Finest Railroading in the Electric City- Scranton, PA
Posted by Harrison on Friday, January 13, 2023 6:52 PM

Ever wondered what Scranton, PA hold for railfans? I had a couple of hours to find out back in October, and my report is below.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ws8HYNBLtdE&feature=shares

Harrison

Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.

Modeling the D&H in 1978.

Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"

My YouTube

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Posted by MidlandMike on Friday, January 13, 2023 9:41 PM

You were wondering about Tobyhanna; it has had an Army depot for many years.

Also you were asking about input on other area rail subjects.  Have you been to the Tunkhannock Viaduct.

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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, January 14, 2023 7:04 AM

MidlandMike

You were wondering about Tobyhanna; it has had an Army depot for many years.

Also you were asking about input on other area rail subjects.  Have you been to the Tunkhannock Viaduct.

A few miles north of Tunkahannock Viaduct at Nicholson is the Martins Creek viaduct, Tunkahannock's little brother.  You'll pass through Hop Bottom on the way.

And a few miles further north, on the other side of I-81, is Starrucca Viaduct at Lanesboro.

Neither route is particularly busy, traffic-wise, but they're all worth the visit, if just for the scale.

LarryWhistling
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Posted by Harrison on Saturday, January 14, 2023 7:42 AM

tree68

 

 
MidlandMike

You were wondering about Tobyhanna; it has had an Army depot for many years.

Also you were asking about input on other area rail subjects.  Have you been to the Tunkhannock Viaduct.

 

A few miles north of Tunkahannock Viaduct at Nicholson is the Martins Creek viaduct, Tunkahannock's little brother.  You'll pass through Hop Bottom on the way.

And a few miles further north, on the other side of I-81, is Starrucca Viaduct at Lanesboro.

Neither route is particularly busy, traffic-wise, but they're all worth the visit, if just for the scale.

 

I had hoped to include NS-Sunbury Line in my afternoon, but the daily freight 11Z had only just left Binghampton when I was leaving the area. I hope to chase 11Z down the very scenic Sunbury Line (and at the Tunkhannock Viaduct) this year when I make my celebratory trip of the D&H's bicentennial. 

Harrison

Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.

Modeling the D&H in 1978.

Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"

My YouTube

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Posted by Backshop on Saturday, January 14, 2023 9:07 AM

tree68

 

 
MidlandMike

You were wondering about Tobyhanna; it has had an Army depot for many years.

Also you were asking about input on other area rail subjects.  Have you been to the Tunkhannock Viaduct.

 

A few miles north of Tunkahannock Viaduct at Nicholson is the Martins Creek viaduct, Tunkahannock's little brother.  You'll pass through Hop Bottom on the way.

And a few miles further north, on the other side of I-81, is Starrucca Viaduct at Lanesboro.

Neither route is particularly busy, traffic-wise, but they're all worth the visit, if just for the scale.

 

Yes, Tunkhannock is impressive.  To think that a mid-size railroad could build it makes it moreso.

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Saturday, January 14, 2023 12:51 PM

Backshop
Yes, Tunkhannock is impressive.  To think that a mid-size railroad could built it makes it moreso.

When concrete construction was perfected in the early 20th Century the Lackawanna jumped into it with both feet and spared no expense doing so!  The old Lackawanna was a class act!

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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, January 14, 2023 1:23 PM

Flintlock76
When concrete construction was perfected in the early 20th Century the Lackawanna jumped into it with both feet and spared no expense doing so!  The old Lackawanna was a class act!

I've heard that the concrete used by the Lackawanna was in a class by itself - apparently superior to what was otherwise available at the time.  

That possibility notwithstanding, one can find evidence of spalling on the ground under the structure.

On my visit to Tunkahannock, we chose to drive north on US 11 instead of returning to I-81 (we'd also visited Steamtown, including a stop at the Bridge 60 tower, home of GVT's dispatchers, who we knew).  Headed north on US 11, one rounds a curve and there it is - the Martin's Creek viaduct.  This was built at the same time as Tunkahannock, and using the same architecture.

A few miles north of the Martin's Creek viaduct is a classic concrete interlocking tower.  It's visible from US 11, but getting to it appears to be a challenge.  I wouldn't recommend it.

Had a similar experience with Starrucca Viaduct, which I had approached from the north.  Come around a curve on entering Lanesboro, and there it was!  The station at Susquehanna still stands, and there is a small historical display there as well.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by 54light15 on Saturday, January 14, 2023 3:23 PM

I have to say that Steamtown looks a lot better than it did when I was there in 1986 or so. Is the station building still a hotel? It was the Lackawanna Hilton when we stayed there back then but I see the Hilton name on another building. 

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Posted by Harrison on Saturday, January 14, 2023 4:24 PM

54light15

I have to say that Steamtown looks a lot better than it did when I was there in 1986 or so. Is the station building still a hotel? It was the Lackawanna Hilton when we stayed there back then but I see the Hilton name on another building. 

 

It's now the Raddison Lackawanna Station Hotel! Likely the place I would stay if I return to the area, probably a bit price but a unique experience I'm sure.

Harrison

Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.

Modeling the D&H in 1978.

Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"

My YouTube

  • Member since
    September 2011
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Posted by MidlandMike on Saturday, January 14, 2023 6:54 PM

Stayed at the Raddison Lackawanna Station a couple of times.  Last time was in 2010 (NRHS Convention).  There was a bridge over the ex-DL&W to Steamtown NHP which put it in easy walking distance.

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, January 15, 2023 7:05 AM

54light15

I have to say that Steamtown looks a lot better than it did when I was there in 1986 or so. Is the station building still a hotel? It was the Lackawanna Hilton when we stayed there back then but I see the Hilton name on another building. 

I was there not long after they first moved in - things are definitely much better now.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by kgbw49 on Sunday, January 15, 2023 4:12 PM

Everyone needs a little Scrantonicity every now and then.

Kind of hard to believe Jim Halpert turned out to be a CIA agent.

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Posted by SD70Dude on Sunday, January 15, 2023 4:29 PM

My memory's a little fuzzy, did the series ever say if Dunder-Mifflin is a railroad customer? 

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

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Posted by kgbw49 on Sunday, January 15, 2023 10:50 PM

They never mentioned rail service but Michael Scott had a wooden train whistle on the credenza in his office in the left backgound that was engraved with the saying "All aboard for sales".

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