I should note that while I volley opinions about, part of my energy on this topic is that I understand everytime I point a finger, four more point back at me... it is my own past inability to get something rolling on Pen Argyl that strikes the most sour note for me.

Len,I disagree. Wal*Mart had the opportunity specifically because "Us the railfans didn`t want to stept in and say no we want our history." Had preservation happened over a decade ago when the opportunity was golden, Wal*Mart would have had to go somewhere else.Not sure who your "newspapers" comment is directed to, but thanks to the Internet, I get to read a lot more local papers (including in the slate belt) than I used to.Are you saying the turntable (now at Strasburg) was saved by the ARHS?Rob

While the buildings at Pen Argyl may soon be lost - there will still be an opporunity for its story to aide in the preservation of other industrial sites. By examining the post railroad use of Pen Argyl, and documenting the attitudes of the property owner, local government, and historical community toward preservation we can better understand why preservation did not occur and what actions would have been necessary. Having a better understanding of what led to demolition at this place can help to devise more effective strategies for preservation at other places. Tom Cornillie

The sad part of it is, though, is what is left now? Just in the state of Michigan alone, we have lost the following the past ten years:1.) The East Tawas, Michigan, D.B.C. & A./ Detroit & Mackinac Shops, yard, Offices, and part of the Roundhouse (lost in a series of destructive actions from 1995-2005, including a Wal Mart). 2.) The Pontiac, Michigan, Grand Trunk Western roundhouse, coaling facility (used at one time by Bluewater Chapter, NRHS -- destroyed in 1996)3.) Pere Marquette/ C&O Railway enginehouse and turntable at New Buffalo (turntable saved for the #1225/ SRI group in Owosso)4.) Pere Marquette/ C&O Railway engine facility at Petoskey (turntable to Henry Ford Museum)5.) The engine facilities, yard, station, and carferry Chief Wawatam site at Mackinac City, Michigan (only the fallen in apron,the disney-fied depot remains, and the cut down to a barge hull of the Chief remain.6.) The same could be said as the above for Elberta (Ann Arbor), Ludington (P.M./ C&O) and Grand Trunk (Grand Haven).Sadly, we have the complete 1916-era car shop complex that still remains here in Port Huron for the Grand Trunk Western --- but most likely not for long, as it has been set afire twice. The turntable also remains, although the roundhouse has been gone for years. And right at the intersection of two major interstates, I-94 and I-69.Don't get me started.TJ

Well, sorry for bumping this ten years ahead but have there been any recent developments in the story? Everything has been quiet since about 2010 in terms of this. In 2010, one of the car shops, either Pen Argyl or Martins Creek, was partially torn down. In 2014, someone did a drone flyover of Pen Argyl and it seems still to be complete. (sans turntable) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx1EN4rQUC4

Quick google search shows the Walmart project is dead;

http://www.mcall.com/business/mc-slate-belt-nolan-perin-selling-property-20151210-story.html

It says that 80 of 175 acres of land are up for sale. If those 80 acres include the shops, this could be a double edged sword in that the complex is available for preservation but, if we're going off of the "It (Pen Argyl) was available but nobody wanted it" statement, the local developers could have a field day. As a minor, middle class, American, I have no business saying "let's start preservation group!"

As best as I can tell from public view, most if not all of the buildings are intact.

There are plenty of big box shopping opportunities within 15/20 minutes north and south on Highway 33. There are also some shopping opportunities in neighboring Wind Gap.

Frankly I don't see any likely development at this location. Pen Argyl may not be a depressed town, but it is certainly not growing. Two shopping plazas on the east side of town are mostly vacant.

My best bet for all interested in saving the shops would be to talk to the town board itself. If you're able to persuade them enough all they would really have to do is deny WalMart or any other franchise access to building rights on the property. It's really that simple that is all goes according to plan. The question I have for Tom is what would you be interested in using the shops for once say the town handed over the property? I'm very aware of a certain L&NE S2 looking for a home and I think Pen Argyl might just be the perfect spot if the owner would so agree. Likewise all trackage and maintenance infrastructure have been removed so I can't see anything of an operational scale unless you'd like to rebuild more than 10 miles of long gone rail. On the other hand I do think we should all commend Strasburg on their saving of the turntable and can't wait to see it installed in the near future,

Cameron

Well, the certain S2, last I'd known, was set to go to Kutztown for the operation on the Allentown & Auburn. While I would love to see her return to her home shops, unless someone with deep pockets is willing to empty their billfold into such an effort, I doubt we'll see that any time soon. At the moment operation and restoration are irrelavent until we can see to it that there will be no danger of demolition. There is a considerable amount of LNE rolling stock out there, just none to my knowledge that the owwners are willing to part with. Imagine a certain S2 with a certain business car currently in Windber...

Cameron,

What you are stating would deny the owner the right to use his property. Unless the town pays to condemn it at a substantial cost they really can't single out one piece of property and deny development rights.

It's also important to note that there is no railroad access to the area. The nearest track is several miles away.

Mr. Laepple is correct. Although the line through Pen Argyl remained for a while (operated by the EL), that line has been gone for 30+ years. You would have to rebuild 4 or more miles of the L&NE to reach live rail. I don't believe that right of way is intact. And that live line, the ex-DL&W line referred to by locals as the Bangor & Portland (or just B&P) is itself in danger as the coal fired power plant in Portland has shut down, and now NS can interchange with the DL directly in Scranton.

I don't think there is a solution that allows those buildings to serve a railroad preservation purpose. It would be nice to see adaptive reuse, but I have no idea what form it would take. My hope is that the buildings have been photographed, measured and recorded for history.