PRR Atglen and Susquehanna Low-Grade Freight Line (Abandoned)
USA /
Pennsylvania /
Quarryville /
World
/ USA
/ Pennsylvania
/ Quarryville
World / United States / Pennsylvania
railway, abandoned / shut down, historical layer / disappeared object
The Atglen & Susquehanna low-grade line was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad around 1906, allowing steam-powered freight trains to avoid the steep grades of the Main Line alignment. The line runs between the former PRR's Main Line at Parkesburg (PARK interlocking) and the 'Port Road' (Columbia & Port Deposit) freight branch at Columbia. The line (along with the Main Line between Paoli & Harrisburg) was electrified in 1938.
When Conrail took control of all freight operations, it shifted its Harrisburg-bound freight operations from the PRR system over to the former Reading Railroad's freight main line, significantly decreasing the low-grade lines importance. Finally in 1990, the line was abandoned and the tracks were removed.
The right-of-way itself was still maintained by Norfolk Southern until it sold the line to the surrounding municipalities, as Amtrak runs 138kV transmission lines over the line between the Safe Harbor Dam and the Parkesburg rail substation (this easement remains). Amtrak is currently in the process of removing and replacing the original circa 1938 PRR catenary poles as it renews its transmission lines.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has plans to restore its regional rail service to Parkesburg and extend it further west to Atglen along a portion of the former A&S alignment.
www.abandonedrailroads.com/prr_pa_atglen_susquehanna.ht...
When Conrail took control of all freight operations, it shifted its Harrisburg-bound freight operations from the PRR system over to the former Reading Railroad's freight main line, significantly decreasing the low-grade lines importance. Finally in 1990, the line was abandoned and the tracks were removed.
The right-of-way itself was still maintained by Norfolk Southern until it sold the line to the surrounding municipalities, as Amtrak runs 138kV transmission lines over the line between the Safe Harbor Dam and the Parkesburg rail substation (this easement remains). Amtrak is currently in the process of removing and replacing the original circa 1938 PRR catenary poles as it renews its transmission lines.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has plans to restore its regional rail service to Parkesburg and extend it further west to Atglen along a portion of the former A&S alignment.
www.abandonedrailroads.com/prr_pa_atglen_susquehanna.ht...
Nearby cities:
Coordinates: 39°56'16"N 76°11'30"W
- Lancaster, Octoraro & Susquehanna Railroad (Abandoned) 12 km
- Reading Columbia Branch (Partially Abandoned) 34 km
- Former United States Naval Training Center, Bainbridge 35 km
- Aberdeen Proving Grounds Test Track 66 km
- East Berlin Railroad - Abandoned 72 km
- Pennsylvania Railroad - Frederick to Hanover (Mostly Abandoned) 105 km
- Frederick to Thurmont - Potomac Edison Rail Line (abandoned) 113 km
- Abandoned PA Turnpike 175 km
- Abandoned Roadway Site (SR 675, etc) 200 km
- Abandoned Roadway 214 km
- Strasburg, Pennsylvania 5.1 km
- Lampeter, Pennsylvania 7.3 km
- Cherry-Crest Adventure Farm 7.6 km
- Willow Street, Pennsylvania 8.3 km
- Paradise, Pennsylvania 9 km
- Lyndon, Pennsylvania 12 km
- Lancaster County Central Park 12 km
- Lancaster County, Pennsylvania 13 km
- Greenfield Industrial Park 13 km
- Amtrak/PRR 25Hz Power Transmission Lines 22 km