Does anyone have information on the sale of the former PRR Octorarro Branch Line? I overheard yesterday that due to flood damage to the line, it was sold; and is no longer under SEPTA ownership. Will the M&E continue to operate the line?

Thanks

Dave H.

Maybe they were referring to the portion of the line south of Sylmar. This portion is owned by Cecil County, Maryland and is currently under consideration for a rail trail.

I drove through this area three times during the past two months and noticed that most of the rail appears to have been lifted a while ago. There are some remnants of rail in various spots (Rising Sun, Md. and Liberty Grove, Md.) and it appears most of the bridges are still in place (including a rather nice truss bridge). -- Ray

Ray,
The portion of the Octorarro that I am referring to was the recently-operable north-eastern part of the railroad, which connected (via BVRR) to CSX in Willsmere Yard (I believe), or another yard near Wilmington Delaware. Recently, there had been freight delivered on the line and cars, due to washouts, are currently stranded. M&E was operating the line for the line's former owner (SEPTA), but now it is rumored that it is under new ownership.


Dave H.

I've heard that John Nolan, operator of the East Penn Lines, is the new owner. Can anybody confirm or deny this?

It's true, John Nolan is buying the Octoraro, pending the paperwork.

That's great news!

I have great respect for Mr. Nolan and his ability to revive traffic on old lines.

Plus he's a railfan. :)

JimE
http://jrevans.fbody.com/trains.html