Nostalgia & History > The Laurel Line

The Lackawanna & Wyoming Valley interurban which ran from Scranton to Wilkes-Barre, PA dropped passenger business in 1952, but freight business continued.Photo's by the late Edward S. Miller.

Ed K. OH WELL PRODUCTIONS
cp Laurel Run

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Ed K. OH WELL PRODUCTIONS

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Nice photos. Can you imagine having a 3rd rail electric rail operation out in the open in this day and age?

timecruncher

People had more "sense" back then and actually took responsibility for their actions, unlike today.

Great pictures Ed. Thanks for posting them.

James



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/04/12 07:25 by chessiegp39.

timecruncher Wrote:
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> Nice photos. Can you imagine having a 3rd rail
> electric rail operation out in the open in this
> day and age?
>
> timecruncher

I grew up on the Chicago, Aurora and Elgin, which had a busy, two track mainline with third rail, totally unfenced and with numerous sidewalk-lined grade crossings. I can't recall anyone ever being electrocuted, though it must have happened occasionally. I'm not sure how many dogs stopped to take a pee on the third rail and instantly regretted it.

Art House
Glen Ellyn, Illinois (1954-63)

timecruncher Wrote:
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> Nice photos. Can you imagine having a 3rd rail
> electric rail operation out in the open in this
> day and age?
>
> timecruncher

LIRR and Metro-North's ex-NYC lines in Westchester County have third rail more or less out in the open.

Dave

Since the Laurel Line is long gone, and the topography of this area changed dramatically, these photos are absolutely priceless! Thanks for posting.

rev66vette Wrote:
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> Since the Laurel Line is long gone, and the
> topography of this area changed dramatically,
> these photos are absolutely priceless! Thanks for
> posting.


Indeed! As a 10 year old in 1950 our family often visited my dad's brothers, and sisters out in NE PA as my dad was born in Dupont, PA. While there he would take me, and my sister, and cousin's for a ride on the Laurel Line to Scranton and back to Avoca where my uncle Joe lived. This was a big deal for me.
Ed K.

DavidP Wrote:
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> timecruncher Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Nice photos. Can you imagine having a 3rd rail
> > electric rail operation out in the open in this
> > day and age?
> >
> > timecruncher
>
> LIRR and Metro-North's ex-NYC lines in Westchester
> County have third rail more or less out in the
> open.
>
> Dave


Yep, LIRR has a bunch of level grade crossings in 3rd-Rail terriroty. The rail is easily accessible, although I'm not sure whether it become "live" only with a train on approach....