Trains.com

Sand Patch - Mance Post Office ?

7270 views
4 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Cambridge, UK
  • 419 posts
Sand Patch - Mance Post Office ?
Posted by owlsroost on Monday, September 1, 2014 1:53 PM

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 Smile

Moderator
  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: Wisconsin
  • 1,532 posts
Posted by Brian Schmidt on Friday, September 5, 2014 9:54 AM

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.

Brian Schmidt, Editor, Classic Trains magazine

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Cambridge, UK
  • 419 posts
Posted by owlsroost on Friday, September 5, 2014 2:09 PM

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 ?

  • Member since
    September 2014
  • 1 posts
Posted by Cinder on Sunday, September 14, 2014 11:07 AM
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.
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Cambridge, UK
  • 419 posts
Posted by owlsroost on Monday, September 29, 2014 6:53 AM

Cinder
In other words, leave only footprints

I did Smile

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.

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy