The Blue Mountain Secondary started out in the 1870's as the Susquehanna Northern, a short line connecting Harrisburg PA with Wilkes Barre, a distance of approximately 100 miles. The line was surveyed as a direct route crossing over Blue Mountain Summit with heavy grades both Northbound ( 4% ) and Southbound (3% ). The line struggled until the late 1930's when it went bankrupt and was picked up by the PRR for scrap value. Almost immediately WWII came along and the Pennsy needed to expand its capacity to interchange with New England railroads. The old SN line was rebuilt and upgraded and designated the Blue Mountain Secondary but as traffic increased it was given temporary divisional status. A power pool was established by pulling freight and passenger locomotives from all over the system with division locomotive foremen foisting off their poor steamers, odd ducks and non performers. The youngest and greenest division superintendent was assigned to the Blue mountain with orders to "make do and don't bother the Head Office!" As diesels began to appear in the late '40s the rugged Blue Mountain Sub was where they were sent to be tested and evaluated so eventually a hodgepodge of first generation diesels accumulated to help the now weary steamers battle the Pocono grades. Meanwhile one branch line, the Minersville Branch, remained under Susquehanna Northern ownership with it's own engines and equipment sometimes supplemented by borrowed Pennsy locomotives. Towns served along the line are Harrisburg, North Harrisburg, Summit, Shenandoah, Minersville Jct., McAdoo, Hazleton, Tremont and Wilkes Barre's Buttonwood Yard with interchange with the Delaware & Hudson. Interested parties can view this layout by accessing the First State Model Railroad Club's web site, www.fsmrrc.org. Click on Photo Gallery and click on Jim Valle's basement layout. Enjoy!