Eastern Railroad Discussion > Anthracite coal

Visited Mahanoy City , PA yesterday site of Blaschak Coal Company which are still digging Anthracite coal out to here, the Reading & Northern serves this coal load out.

While there I visited the St. Nicholas Coal Breaker, one of two left standing in the Anthracite region, this one should be left alone as a monument to the past miners who worked hard to make a living, and to those who passed on, which a lot suffered black lung.
Ed K.

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Ed K.

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Ed K. cp Laurel Run

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Really fascinating to see these, thanks for posting

Is the one near Locust Gap still standing? Been a while since I was over that way. Last visit there was like 200 covered hopper cars stored in St Nicholas yard. Didn't know if they was empties or loads of fracking sand

The breaker you are thinking of was the Locust Summit breaker and it was torn down around 10 years ago or so.

mjbobb Wrote:
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> Is the one near Locust Gap still standing? Been a
> while since I was over that way. Last visit there
> was like 200 covered hopper cars stored in St
> Nicholas yard. Didn't know if they was empties or
> loads of fracking sand

During construction they must of kept a few glass makers working for quite awhile

Interesting pictures, thanks for the coverage.
John

the Ashley coal breaker in Wilkes Barre is still standing

What is the anthracite used for nowadays?

I have the same question. I occasionally see R&N hoppers on the NS Wabash line in Indiana, usually 1-4 at a time, and I assume somebody is using small quantities of anthracite in some type of manufacturing or foundry operation.

Out_Of_Service Wrote:
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> the Ashley coal breaker in Wilkes Barre is still
> standing

Yes, but soon to be demolished!
Ed K.

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Nice PIC's Ed. St Nicholas sure looks good even if most of the glass is toast.

Would be nice to see one preserved really had hope for the Ashley breaker to get saved guess the interest just isn't there.

Kris

I think industrial archeology is fascinating, but I'm not sure how exited the general public gets about things like that. In today's world, it's difficult (and maybe it should be) to get any kind of public sector financial support for projects like that.

It has been said for a long time the St. Nick breaker was in much better shape then Huber. It is a shame, but oh well, and I am a large Blue Coal fan.. I just really hope that St. Nick does get a better fate, but I am not counting on it at all.

Anthracite today plays a big part in water filtration, and home heating (you would be amazed how many people still heat with Anthracite). Some is used in steel making also. A large portion, likely the biggest, is also going for export.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/24/14 12:28 by sixaxlecentury.

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Interesting stuff....!!! Thanks for sharing.

JJSmith Wrote:
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> The breaker you are thinking of was the Locust
> Summit breaker and it was torn down around 10
> years ago or so.
>
> mjbobb Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Is the one near Locust Gap still standing? Been
> a
> > while since I was over that way. Last visit
> there
> > was like 200 covered hopper cars stored in St
> > Nicholas yard. Didn't know if they was empties
> or
> > loads of fracking sand


Yeah that's the one thanks!! I was thru the area once since 10 yrs ago and I didn't even notice it was gone

sixaxlecentury Wrote:
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> Anthracite today plays a big part in water
> filtration,

Is that what they make household carbon water filters out of?

You all are so informative, thanks for sharing photos and information.

Nancy

Ed, fantastic photos! I am glad you posted pictures of both breakers. Brings back many childhood memories of summers spent in Tamaqua watching trains.
Thanks, TT