Hi Folks Any of you folks ever come across anything on the Reading Lancaster and Baltimore Railroad? Going through my photos and notes I came across a photo of a bridge and the writing on the back stated it was the RLB railroad bridge. From knowing the bridge as a one lane bridge we'd drive across when I was a child it would have to be set-up as a broad gauge line. There is also the start of a tunnel. I am assuming this line was abandoned long before if ever got off the ground as there is no evidence that any rails were laid and no evidence other than the bridge and start of the tunnel exist out in the valley behind Mohnton,Pa. Any of you Reading Historians ever hear about this line? Hoping to hear back as you folks have given me much material in past posts! Thanks Paulie

See here:

http://bit.ly/fmqHiI

The January 8, 1892, New York Times article says, "The road will pass through Mohnsville, Adamstown, Terre Hill, Hinkletown, New-Holland, Intercourse, Leaman Place, Strasburg, New-Providence, and Quarryville, in this State..." Would this proposed railroad have incorporated the Strasburg RR? If it was built, the present day Strasburg might not exist at all.

-Mark

From Taber's Railroads of Pennsylvania Encyclopedia & Atlas:

Paper Railroads, Berks County:



No mention is made of any construction ever being started. Typically, if a line was even graded, it's noted thus in this book.

I would thus question whether or not the bridge in question was actually even in any way connected to the railroad project. Perhaps you could scan and post said photo for further analysis, or send it via e-mail or PM?

@Mark:

Scuttlebutt around here says that line was scouted/surveyed in part, and yes, it would have incorporated SRC.