Atglen and Susquehanna Branch
Encyclopedia
The Atglen and Susquehanna Branch is an abandoned branch line
of the Pennsylvania Railroad
.
between 1902 and 1906. The branch was built to relieve congestion on the Philadelphia to Harrisburg Main Line and the railroad's Columbia and Port Deposit (C&PD) Branch. It was designed for freight service, and minimizing the grade profile was of high importance, since freight service on the main line was hampered by relatively steep grade profiles. Thus the branch was often known simply as the 'Low Grade'.
During construction of the A&S Branch, the existing C&PD Branch stone bridge at the Conestoga River
washed out. Rather than rebuild the stone bridge, the C&PD bridge was combined with the A&S bridge to form a unique two-line, two-level steel viaduct. This bridge at the Conestoga River
carried the C&PD line over the Conestoga river, while the A&S ran parallel and about 100 feet above.
Construction was completed and the branch opened for traffic by July, 1906.
When combined with the railroad's Trenton Branch and Philadelphia and Thorndale Branch, the new line permitted the Pennsylvania Railroad to operate a low-grade bypass between Morrisville, Pennsylvania
(just south of Trenton, NJ) and Harrisburg, PA. This allowed allowing freight trains to avoid the congestion of the eastern seaboard and the steep grades of the Main Line.
The line flourished with freight traffic until the decline of northeast railroads and overall reduction in traffic made the line redundant. The line survived the Pennsylvania Railroad's short-lived successor Penn Central until the era of Conrail. Conrail downgraded the line, first removing the overhead catenary
, then by rerouting traffic over the former Reading Company
's line from Harrisburg to northern New Jersey
. The last train on the line ran in 1988. Conrail petitioned to abandon the line in 1989 and track was removed around 1990.
Although the line was (physically) abandoned before the 1999 breakup of Conrail by the Norfolk Southern Railway
and CSX Transportation
, the right of way had been retained due to disputes over the historical nature of the line's bridges, and passed to Norfolk Southern. A group called Friends of the Atglen-Susquehanna Trail had prepared to establish the line as a rail trail, but this plan was opposed by local township residents and ultimately failed. Norfolk Southern finally 'sold' the line to the seven townships through which it passes in July 2008. Norfolk Southern received $1 from each of the townships, although it also supplied the townships with a total of $1.4 million for bridge removal or repair.
Amtrak, which received ownership of the Pennsylvania Railroad's electric traction system, continues to operate the two 138 kV transmission lines that run along the A&S right of way. The entire transmission line is scheduled to be replaced in 2011, and the distinctive Pennsylvania Railroad catenary structures will be replaced with typical utility-style monopoles.
The Pennsylvania Railroad catenary supports remain, operated by Amtrak under easement, to supply electricity from Safe Harbor Dam to the Parkesburg traction substation. Ironically while they were one of the last parts of the line to be installed (c. 1938), they are the only remaining structure supporting railroad operations.
Since the right of way was transferred to the respective townships, about 13 miles of the line has been opened to the public. Amtrak will improve the surface to a crushed-stone trail concurrently with their transmission line replacement project. The Conestoga 39.9253°N 76.3844°W and Martic Forge 39.9079°N 76.3283°W Trestles remain closed.
Branch line
A branch line is a secondary railway line which branches off a more important through route, usually a main line. A very short branch line may be called a spur line...
of the Pennsylvania Railroad
Pennsylvania Railroad
The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
.
History
The Atglen and Susquehanna (A&S) Branch was built by the Pennsylvania RailroadPennsylvania Railroad
The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
between 1902 and 1906. The branch was built to relieve congestion on the Philadelphia to Harrisburg Main Line and the railroad's Columbia and Port Deposit (C&PD) Branch. It was designed for freight service, and minimizing the grade profile was of high importance, since freight service on the main line was hampered by relatively steep grade profiles. Thus the branch was often known simply as the 'Low Grade'.
During construction of the A&S Branch, the existing C&PD Branch stone bridge at the Conestoga River
Conestoga River
The Conestoga River, also referred to as Conestoga Creek, is a tributary of the Susquehanna River flowing through the center of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.-Geography:...
washed out. Rather than rebuild the stone bridge, the C&PD bridge was combined with the A&S bridge to form a unique two-line, two-level steel viaduct. This bridge at the Conestoga River
Conestoga River
The Conestoga River, also referred to as Conestoga Creek, is a tributary of the Susquehanna River flowing through the center of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.-Geography:...
carried the C&PD line over the Conestoga river, while the A&S ran parallel and about 100 feet above.
Construction was completed and the branch opened for traffic by July, 1906.
When combined with the railroad's Trenton Branch and Philadelphia and Thorndale Branch, the new line permitted the Pennsylvania Railroad to operate a low-grade bypass between Morrisville, Pennsylvania
Morrisville, Pennsylvania
Morrisville is the name of some places in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania:*Morrisville, Bucks County, Pennsylvania *Morrisville, Greene County, Pennsylvania...
(just south of Trenton, NJ) and Harrisburg, PA. This allowed allowing freight trains to avoid the congestion of the eastern seaboard and the steep grades of the Main Line.
The line flourished with freight traffic until the decline of northeast railroads and overall reduction in traffic made the line redundant. The line survived the Pennsylvania Railroad's short-lived successor Penn Central until the era of Conrail. Conrail downgraded the line, first removing the overhead catenary
Overhead lines
Overhead lines or overhead wires are used to transmit electrical energy to trams, trolleybuses or trains at a distance from the energy supply point...
, then by rerouting traffic over the former Reading Company
Reading Company
The Reading Company , usually called the Reading Railroad, officially the Philadelphia and Reading Rail Road and then the Philadelphia and Reading Railway until 1924, operated in southeast Pennsylvania and neighboring states...
's line from Harrisburg to northern New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. The last train on the line ran in 1988. Conrail petitioned to abandon the line in 1989 and track was removed around 1990.
Although the line was (physically) abandoned before the 1999 breakup of Conrail by the Norfolk Southern Railway
Norfolk Southern Railway
The Norfolk Southern Railway is a Class I railroad in the United States, owned by the Norfolk Southern Corporation. With headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, the company operates 21,500 route miles in 22 eastern states, the District of Columbia and the province of Ontario, Canada...
and CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
, the right of way had been retained due to disputes over the historical nature of the line's bridges, and passed to Norfolk Southern. A group called Friends of the Atglen-Susquehanna Trail had prepared to establish the line as a rail trail, but this plan was opposed by local township residents and ultimately failed. Norfolk Southern finally 'sold' the line to the seven townships through which it passes in July 2008. Norfolk Southern received $1 from each of the townships, although it also supplied the townships with a total of $1.4 million for bridge removal or repair.
Amtrak, which received ownership of the Pennsylvania Railroad's electric traction system, continues to operate the two 138 kV transmission lines that run along the A&S right of way. The entire transmission line is scheduled to be replaced in 2011, and the distinctive Pennsylvania Railroad catenary structures will be replaced with typical utility-style monopoles.
Modern day
Currently, the right-of-way stands under heavy brush. The loose railroad ballast remains, although the ties have been removed, and the surface is rough.The Pennsylvania Railroad catenary supports remain, operated by Amtrak under easement, to supply electricity from Safe Harbor Dam to the Parkesburg traction substation. Ironically while they were one of the last parts of the line to be installed (c. 1938), they are the only remaining structure supporting railroad operations.
Since the right of way was transferred to the respective townships, about 13 miles of the line has been opened to the public. Amtrak will improve the surface to a crushed-stone trail concurrently with their transmission line replacement project. The Conestoga 39.9253°N 76.3844°W and Martic Forge 39.9079°N 76.3283°W Trestles remain closed.