Bethlehem Branch Pictures from 06/21/2003

  The tracks are still in, but there is still a missing rail by the station, and the tracks apparently only serve as edging for the landscaping. From what I can tell, NS still owns the track and the deal with the city of Bethlehem to buy the ROW and turn it into a walking trail hasn't been finalized. Maybe the city's budget crisis will end up saving the tracks, or at least one can hope. As I noted before, both the freight elevator pit and the stairs leading under the tracks have been filled with concrete. That pretty much assures that they will never be used again, eh?

  It was somewhat appropriate that it was a dreary, rainy day when I stopped by to visit the remains of the once great Reading Railroad!

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diamond.jpg The diamond over the ex-LV main is still in place, but the turnout to the track leading over the river to the CNJ service facility no longer exists. Full size image is 84 kB	looking_north.jpg Looking North towards the LV line and the station. There used to be a track to the left and to the right. You can sort of see the CP signal in the distance. Full size image is 69 kB	looking_south.jpg Looking South Towards Quakertown. Signal is still on the left. Notice how the landscaping goes right up against the rail. Some weed killer would be a good thing here. Full size image is 93 kB
missing_rail.jpg Here's the piece of missing rail that was also missing back in October of 2002. The rail isn't just laying there either, it's actually gone. Full size image is 179 kB	mulch_retainer.jpg Looking North/West towards the ex-LV tracks. The signal is to my right. Full size image is 151 kB	old_signal.jpg Here's what's left of the old signal that I guess used to guard the station tracks. Full size image is 54 kB
red_signal_green_grass.jpg What's the point of this signal these days? I'm tempted to call NS and report that the top aspect is burnt out.... Full size image is 114 kB	remove_cut.jpg I don't know what these markings mean, but they don't look good to me. There were also some markings on the rails next to this. Full size image is 114 kB	row_and_landscaping.jpg Here you can see how the railroad tracks conveniently serve as edging for the landscaping. Full size image is 81 kB
station3.jpg A shot of the West side of the station. Full size image is 61 kB	station_1.jpg Here's a shot of the station from the South end of the passenger platform. Full size image is 61 kB	station_2.jpg Here's a closeup of the station. Full size image is 70 kB
station_4.jpg A closeup of the west side. Wouldn't that make a nice train-watching room up there? Full size image is 173 kB	station_5.jpg Here's a good shot of the West side. That's the Bethlehem Branch trackage in front of me. Full size image is 47 kB	station_6.jpg The station again. Full size image is 72 kB

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Index created on Mon Jun 23 01:46:51 2003.
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