Info on the Wilkes-Barre & Eastern

Mark Z. Yerkes · **Joined:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 8:47 pm **Posts:** 486

Can anyone point me in a direction to find info on the WB&E Railroad? I know the general history behind it (owned by the NYS&W, why it was created, when it ceased operations, etc), but I'm more interested in things like engine roster, photos, etc etc.

I basically live on top of the old ROW for the railroad and pass the Crescent Lake station site every time I enter or leave my neighborhood. It's easily my favorite railroad, though I know next to nothing about it.

freewheelin_freddie · **Joined:** Tue Mar 22, 2011 11:32 pm **Posts:** 29

Get a copy of Harold Fredericks book that the Railroadians published in the 1980's the History of the WB&E. No photos, but line drawings. The NJ Midland Historical Society may have copies left from when the Railroadians merged with them. Check with Tim Stuy at ELDCPS. The Railroadians did a Trainsheet in the late 80's with some photos of equipment. I might have a copy of both stored away if you can't get a copy from the NJ Midland.

Fred Heilich

Pat Fahey · **Posted:** Fri Mar 29, 2013 12:32 pm

Hi Mark
Try this , I did Google the railroad name , and I when to Images , and a few pictures did show up . Attached is one of the photos that was in Images. Pat.

Attachment:

wbe_stroudsburg.jpg

Howard P. · **Posted:** Fri Mar 29, 2013 12:44 pm

Does that yard win the prize for "most diverging tracks packed into a small area"? Some amazing switchwork there.

Howard P.

wilkinsd · **Posted:** Fri Mar 29, 2013 12:53 pm

The track materials salesman in Stroudsburg must have driven a Hupmobile.

eldiner · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:39 am **Posts:** 534

Sadly the WB&E book is long out of print. Also the first two issues of our magazine back in 1994 had a 2 part issue that looked at the WB&E from a macro point of view. Once the WB&E opened (and the Susquehanna Connecting RR) the NYS&W was able to capture many of the independent anthracite mining company contracts. They were also seriously in a position to assume the soon to expire lease of the Erie & Wyoming Valley (later the Erie's Wyoming Division) which would have given them access to even more coal. Sure the WB&E had lots of grades, but all the coal loads were going down grade and then there was the coal dumping operation at Edgewater with lots of rich people with coal furnaces just across the river. This was all creating a mess with the other well established carriers (especially the Erie) so this led to J.P. Morgan buying the NYS&W and thus making the WB&E the obscure Pocono Mountain line it ended up to be.