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PRR Atglen and Susquehanna Low-Grade Freight Line (Abandoned)

USA / Pennsylvania / Quarryville /
 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...
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   39°56'16"N   76°11'30"W
This article was last modified 13 years ago