Allentown station (Central Railroad of New Jersey): Difference between revisions
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Virtually all the train lines serving Allentown converged at the two stations, built adjacent to each other. The Lehigh Valley rail lines ran south into Allentown along the west side of the Lehigh River, then under the Tilghman Street Third Street Bridge to the station. The CNJ tracks ran along the east side of the Lehigh, then crossed the river where now American Parkway ends and turns onto North Dauphin Street. The old CNJ crossover bridge remains standing derelict crossing the river. Both lines then paralelled each other into their Allentown stations following American Parkway, which was later built over the old railroad right of way. |
Virtually all the train lines serving Allentown converged at the two stations, built adjacent to each other. The Lehigh Valley rail lines ran south into Allentown along the west side of the Lehigh River, then under the Tilghman Street Third Street Bridge to the station. The CNJ tracks ran along the east side of the Lehigh, then crossed the river where now American Parkway ends and turns onto North Dauphin Street. The old CNJ crossover bridge remains standing derelict crossing the river. Both lines then paralelled each other into their Allentown stations following American Parkway, which was later built over the old railroad right of way. |
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From the south, the Lehigh Valley line came up from Emmaus along Lehigh Street, then passed by Mack |
From the south, the Lehigh Valley line came up from [[Emmaus]] along Lehigh Street, then passed by [[Mack Truck]] and though Mountainville following South 4th Street and Basin street to the station. The CNJ line turned east and followed the south side of the Lehigh River though Rittersville, Fountain Hill and South Bethlehem. Both railroad's lines into Allentown were double-tracked. The Allentown stations provided passenger rail service to [[Scranton]], [[Reading, Pennsylvania|Reading]], [[Harrisburg]], [[New York City]], [[Philadelphia]] and other points along the nations inter-city rail network. |
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During [[World War I]], both stations were used by the [[United States Army Ambulance Service]] (USAAS) that operated [[Camp Crane]], a training camp for Army Ambulance drivers and support personnel. Thousands of soldiers arrived in Allentown at the stations, then were transported to the training camp. After graduating from training, the stations became pre-embarkation point, with thousands of men moving in and out rapidly, usually arriving and leaving on trains in the middle of the night. <ref name="LCHS"/> |
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Lehigh Valley RR passenger service ended in 1961, and the CNJ ended service in 1967. Both of the stations became derelict and were torn down in 1972 when Hamilton Steet was widened and the bridge over the Jordan Creek was rebuilt. The CNJ rail lines were torn out and the street resurfaced. <ref name="LCHS"/> |
Lehigh Valley RR passenger service ended in 1961, and the CNJ ended service in 1967. Both of the stations became derelict and were torn down in 1972 when Hamilton Steet was widened and the bridge over the Jordan Creek was rebuilt. The CNJ rail lines were torn out and the street resurfaced. <ref name="LCHS"/> |
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In 1978, the [[Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority]] (SEPTA) re-opened passenger service to Allentown under [[CONRAIL]] using the old LVRR tracks. Because there was no longer a station, SEPTA riders had to utilize a makeshift platform located one block south of the former train station at 3d and Union Streets. However, the service ended as rapidly as it began in 1979 due to poor trackage and loss of a subsidy from PennDOT. For commuters traveling from Allentown/Bethlehem and Philadelphia, it proved faster to drive to the small village of Center Valley instead and board trains there. |
In 1978, the [[Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority]] (SEPTA) re-opened passenger service to Allentown under [[CONRAIL]] using the old LVRR tracks. Because there was no longer a station, SEPTA riders had to utilize a makeshift platform located one block south of the former train station at 3d and Union Streets. However, the service ended as rapidly as it began in 1979 due to poor trackage and loss of a subsidy from [[PennDOT]]. For commuters traveling from Allentown/Bethlehem and Philadelphia, it proved faster to drive to the small village of [[Center Valley]] instead and board trains there. |
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Today, some rusting steel beams remain of the part of the Lehigh Valley station built over the creek. A closed restaurant and bar, built in 1980 replicates the CNJ station. The only rail service that goes into Allentown today is a single-track short line that runs on the old LVRR tracks used by SEPTA, terminating at American Parkway and Gordon Streets.<ref>[http://molovinskyonallentown.blogspot.com/2011/07/union-street-train-tower.html The Union Street Train Tower]</ref> |
Today, some rusting steel beams remain of the part of the Lehigh Valley station built over the creek. A closed restaurant and bar, built in 1980 replicates the CNJ station. The only rail service that goes into Allentown today is a single-track short line that runs on the old LVRR tracks used by SEPTA, terminating at American Parkway and Gordon Streets.<ref>[http://molovinskyonallentown.blogspot.com/2011/07/union-street-train-tower.html The Union Street Train Tower]</ref> |
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Revision as of 20:56, 15 August 2013
Allentown Terminal Railroad Station Lehigh Valley Railroad Station | |
|---|---|
| Inter-city rail | |
 Central Railroad of New Jersey Station. Note the LVRR Station tower behind the station  Lehigh Valley Railroad Station | |
| General information | |
| Location | 368 Hamilton Street, Allentown, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates | 40°36′15″N 075°27′47″W / 40.60417°N 75.46306°W CNJ 40°36′14″N 075°27′41″W / 40.60389°N 75.46139°W LVRR |
| Line(s) | Central Railroad of New Jersey, Reading Railroad, Lehigh Valley Railroad |
| Tracks | 2 (Each Station) |
| History | |
| Opened | 1890 |
| Closed | 1961, 1967 |
The Allentown passenger railroad stations provided inter-city rail service to the city of Allentown, Pennsylvania. Both were opened in 1890. [1]
Allentown was served by two passenger train stations. The Allentown Terminal Railroad Station served patrons of the Central Railroad of New Jersey, the Philadelphia and Reading Railroads. The Lehigh Valley Railroad Station was also located on Hamilton Street, along the Jordan Creek. [1]
Virtually all the train lines serving Allentown converged at the two stations, built adjacent to each other. The Lehigh Valley rail lines ran south into Allentown along the west side of the Lehigh River, then under the Tilghman Street Third Street Bridge to the station. The CNJ tracks ran along the east side of the Lehigh, then crossed the river where now American Parkway ends and turns onto North Dauphin Street. The old CNJ crossover bridge remains standing derelict crossing the river. Both lines then paralelled each other into their Allentown stations following American Parkway, which was later built over the old railroad right of way.
From the south, the Lehigh Valley line came up from Emmaus along Lehigh Street, then passed by Mack Truck and though Mountainville following South 4th Street and Basin street to the station. The CNJ line turned east and followed the south side of the Lehigh River though Rittersville, Fountain Hill and South Bethlehem. Both railroad's lines into Allentown were double-tracked. The Allentown stations provided passenger rail service to Scranton, Reading, Harrisburg, New York City, Philadelphia and other points along the nations inter-city rail network.
During World War I, both stations were used by the United States Army Ambulance Service (USAAS) that operated Camp Crane, a training camp for Army Ambulance drivers and support personnel. Thousands of soldiers arrived in Allentown at the stations, then were transported to the training camp. After graduating from training, the stations became pre-embarkation point, with thousands of men moving in and out rapidly, usually arriving and leaving on trains in the middle of the night. [1]
Lehigh Valley RR passenger service ended in 1961, and the CNJ ended service in 1967. Both of the stations became derelict and were torn down in 1972 when Hamilton Steet was widened and the bridge over the Jordan Creek was rebuilt. The CNJ rail lines were torn out and the street resurfaced. [1]
In 1978, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) re-opened passenger service to Allentown under CONRAIL using the old LVRR tracks. Because there was no longer a station, SEPTA riders had to utilize a makeshift platform located one block south of the former train station at 3d and Union Streets. However, the service ended as rapidly as it began in 1979 due to poor trackage and loss of a subsidy from PennDOT. For commuters traveling from Allentown/Bethlehem and Philadelphia, it proved faster to drive to the small village of Center Valley instead and board trains there.
Today, some rusting steel beams remain of the part of the Lehigh Valley station built over the creek. A closed restaurant and bar, built in 1980 replicates the CNJ station. The only rail service that goes into Allentown today is a single-track short line that runs on the old LVRR tracks used by SEPTA, terminating at American Parkway and Gordon Streets.[2]
