Sand Patch - Mance Post Office ?

[owlsroost]

I'll be in the Sand Patch area in a week or so.

I was wondering what the status of the old Mance Post Office is. I've seen a recent photo - http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=484804&nseq=5 - with people (and tripods) on the porch. Is the building a residence, or are railfans just using for train watching ? I've also seen photos taken of it from land higher up the hillside, which looks like it's private farm property on Google Maps etc - is that the case ? (or is the property owner reasonably tolerant of railfans ?)

It can be quite difficult sometimes to work out where the public/private property boundaries are so I try and err on the safe side....

All comments gratefully received 

[Brian Schmidt]

The post office is privately owned now as a retreat or cabin. To my knowledge it is not available to rent. The owner has an agreement to access farm property opposite the post office, but it is not otherwise open to railfan access.

[owlsroost]

Thanks for the reply - that's what I suspected was the case.

Is the road that goes past it (over the crossing) a public one ?

[Cinder]

Brian has it right. The Mance Post Office and the Mance Training Camp are owned by two brothers who are railfans. The facilities are not available to rent. Mance Rd. is a public street maintained by Northampton Township. It ends just beyond the crossing. The farmland on the hillside opposite the crossing is owned by a man who lives in Rockwood, PA. It is farmed by a local family who takes a dim view of anyone driving in the fields. In other words, leave only footprints.

[owlsroost]

Cinder

In other words, leave only footprints

I did

There is space on the other side of the grade crossing to park (there was another railfan already parked when I arrived).

Nice spot, but I also spent some time at Manila (bit further west/upgrade) and I think that is equally good but different - nice head-on view of westbounds coming upgrade between the signal masts from there.