Atglen and Susquehanna Branch: Difference between revisions

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The Atglen and Susquehanna Branch is an abandoned branch line of the Pennsylvania Railroad that ran between Lemoyne and Atglen, Pennsylvania. A portion of the line is now the Enola Low Grade Trail.

History

The Atglen and Susquehanna (A&S) Branch was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) between 1902 and 1906. The branch was built to relieve congestion on the Philadelphia to Harrisburg Main Line and the railroad's Columbia & Port Deposit (C&PD) line. With freight service on the Main Line hampered by relatively steep grades, the A&S Branch—which was specifically designed with minimal grades and curves—was often known simply as the "Low Grade".

During construction of the A&S Branch, the existing C&PD stone bridge at the Conestoga River washed out. Rather than rebuild, the C&PD bridge was combined with the A&S bridge to form a unique two-line, two-level steel viaduct known as the Safe Harbor Trestle. This bridge at the Conestoga carried the C&PD line over the river, while the A&S ran parallel and approximately 100 feet (30 m) above.

Construction was completed and the line opened by July 1906.^[1]

When combined with the railroad's Trenton Cutoff and Philadelphia & Thorndale Branch, the new line permitted the PRR to operate a low-grade bypass between Morrisville, Pennsylvania (just south of Trenton, New Jersey) and Harrisburg. This allowed freight trains to avoid the congestion of the eastern seaboard and the steep grades of the Main Line.^[2]

The line flourished with freight traffic until the decline of northeast railroads and overall reduction in traffic made the line redundant. The line survived PRR's short-lived successor Penn Central (1968–1976) and into the era of the PC's successor, Conrail. Conrail downgraded the line, removing the overhead catenary and later rerouting traffic over the former Reading Company's line between Harrisburg and northern New Jersey. The last train ran on the line in 1988. Conrail petitioned the Interstate Commerce Commission to abandon the line in 1989 and track was removed around 1990.

While the track had been removed prior to the 1999 breakup of Conrail by the Norfolk Southern (NS) and CSX, the right-of-way was retained due to disputes over the historical nature of the line's bridges and passed to NS. A group called Friends of the Atglen–Susquehanna Trail proposed using the line as a rail trail, which was opposed by local residents and ultimately failed. In July 2008, NS sold a portion of the abandoned line to eight municipalities,^[3] charging each $1 and supplying a total of $1.4 million in grants for bridge removal or repair.^{[citation needed]} NS also contributed $1.25 million to Manor Township to develop their portion of the right of way.^[4] After being abandoned, much of the right of way had been overgrown with heavy brush, and while the rail and ties had been removed, a rough surface of loose track ballast remained.

Modern day

Enola Low Grade Trail

The portion of the right of way that was transferred to the Lancaster County municipalities is now a 29-mile (47 km) rail trail named the Enola Low Grade Trail.^[5] The eight municipalities have opened their sections at varying rates, with the first opening in September 2011. The portion in Manor Township opened in 2013,^[6] while Martic and Conestoga townships opened their improved portions in the first half of 2017, and a pedestrian bridge over U.S. 222 north of Quarryville opened in April 2018. The Safe Harbor Trestle opened in June 2022 after a multi-year overhaul, and in October 2022, a trestle in Martic Township reopened (it had first opened for trail users in 2015 but burnt down in 2018), forming a continuous 19 mi (31 km) improved segment between Manor Township and Quarryville.^[7]^[3]^[8]

Of the remaining 10 mi (16 km) of unimproved trail, the portions in Eden and Bart townships are expected to be improved in 2023–24, while funding is being sought to improve the final, easternmost segment through Sadsbury Township to Atglen, including a connection with the Chester Valley Rail Trail.^[9]

Amtrak power line

Amtrak, which received ownership of PRR's electric traction system, operates a power transmission line along the right of way under easement. Its two 138 kV lines supply electricity from Safe Harbor Dam to Amtrak's Parkesburg traction substation. In 2011, Amtrak moved the line's cables from the old Pennsylvania Railroad catenary supports to new monopoles,^[10] upgrading the surface to crushed stone at the same time.

References

^ HAER PA-531, Data Pages, p. 3
^ Except for a 10-mile (16 km) section between Thorndale and Parkesburg where freight and passenger traffic shared the four-track main line.
^ ^a ^b "Enola Low-Grade Trail – Providence Township Section Master Plan – Draft – Supervisors Review v1.0" (PDF). Providence Township, PA. April 2012.
^ Long, Sue (October 2014). "Enola Low Grade Rail Trail". Lancaster County Magazine.
^ "Enola Low Grade Trail". TrailLink. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Retrieved 2015-03-14.
^ Crable, Ad (2013-08-20). "Manor Township rail-trail worth the wait". Lancaster Online.
^ "Phoenix Rising: Martic Forge Trestle reopens after devastating 2018 fire". Uncharted Lancaster. 2022-10-24.
^ "Enola Low Grade Rail Trail". Quarryville Borough.
^ Crable, Ad (2022-05-29). "$9 million conversion of historic Safe Harbor trestle may be national draw". Lancaster Online.
^ "Amtrak is Working on the Railroad in 2010: $1 billion construction program funds projects to improve reliability, safety and security (Press release no. ATK-10-062)" (PDF). Amtrak. 2010-04-28. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-09-15. Retrieved 2012-07-20.

External links

Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) No. PA-531, "Pennsylvania Railroad, Safe Harbor Bridge, Spanning mouth of Conestoga River, Safe Harbor, Lancaster, PA", 11 photos, 5 data pages, 1 photo caption page
AbandonedRails.com. "The Atglen and Susquehanna Branch"
Crable, Ad (2013-08-20). "Manor Township rail-trail worth the wait". Lancaster New Era. Lancaster, PA. Retrieved 2015-03-14.

[1] HAER PA-531, Data Pages, p. 3

[2] Except for a 10-mile (16 km) section between Thorndale and Parkesburg where freight and passenger traffic shared the four-track main line.

[:0-3] "Enola Low-Grade Trail – Providence Township Section Master Plan – Draft – Supervisors Review v1.0" (PDF). Providence Township, PA. April 2012.

[4] Long, Sue (October 2014). "Enola Low Grade Rail Trail". Lancaster County Magazine.

[5] "Enola Low Grade Trail". TrailLink. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Retrieved 2015-03-14.

[6] Crable, Ad (2013-08-20). "Manor Township rail-trail worth the wait". Lancaster Online.

[7] "Phoenix Rising: Martic Forge Trestle reopens after devastating 2018 fire". Uncharted Lancaster. 2022-10-24.

[8] "Enola Low Grade Rail Trail". Quarryville Borough.

[9] Crable, Ad (2022-05-29). "$9 million conversion of historic Safe Harbor trestle may be national draw". Lancaster Online.

[10] "Amtrak is Working on the Railroad in 2010: $1 billion construction program funds projects to improve reliability, safety and security (Press release no. ATK-10-062)" (PDF). Amtrak. 2010-04-28. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-09-15. Retrieved 2012-07-20.

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+{{more citations needed|date = April 2020}}
-[[File:HAER PA-531-9.jpg|thumb|The Atglen and Susquehanna Branch crosses the [[Conestoga River]] on the upper span of this bridge, located at the Safe Harbor Damn, PA.]]
-The '''Atglen and Susquehanna''' Branch is an abandoned [[branch line]] of the [[Pennsylvania Railroad]].
+[[File:HAER PA-531-9.jpg|thumb|The Atglen and Susquehanna Branch crosses the [[Conestoga River]] on the upper span of this bridge, located at the [[Safe Harbor Dam]], Pennsylvania.]]
+[[File:Atglen & Susquehanna Br PRR map 1911.jpg|thumb|right|Map of the A&S Branch in 1911]]
+The '''Atglen and Susquehanna''' Branch is an abandoned [[branch line]] of the [[Pennsylvania Railroad]] that ran between [[Lemoyne, Pennsylvania|Lemoyne]] and [[Atglen, Pennsylvania]]. A portion of the line is now the '''Enola Low Grade Trail'''.
 ==History==
-The Atglen and Susquehanna (A&S) Branch was built by the [[Pennsylvania Railroad]] between 1902 and 1906.  The branch was built to relieve congestion on the Philadelphia to Harrisburg Main Line and the railroad's Columbia and Port Deposit (C&PD) Branch.  It was designed for freight service, and minimizing the grade profile was of high importance, since freight service on the main line was hampered by relatively steep grade profiles.  Thus the branch was often known simply as the 'Low Grade'.
+The Atglen and Susquehanna (A&S) Branch was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) between 1902 and 1906. The branch was built to relieve congestion on the [[Main Line (Pennsylvania Railroad)|Philadelphia to Harrisburg Main Line]] and the railroad's [[Columbia and Port Deposit Railroad|Columbia & Port Deposit]] (C&PD) line. With freight service on the Main Line hampered by relatively steep [[Grade (slope)|grades]], the A&S Branch—which was specifically designed with minimal grades and curves—was often known simply as the "Low Grade".
-During construction of the A&S Branch, the existing C&PD Branch stone bridge at the [[Conestoga River]] washed out.  Rather than rebuild the stone bridge, the C&PD bridge was combined with the A&S bridge to form a unique two-line, two-level steel viaduct.  This bridge at the [[Conestoga River]] carried the C&PD line over the Conestoga river, while the A&S ran parallel and about 100 feet above.
+During construction of the A&S Branch, the existing C&PD stone bridge at the [[Conestoga River]] washed out.  Rather than rebuild, the C&PD bridge was combined with the A&S bridge to form a unique two-line, two-level steel viaduct known as the [[Safe Harbor Trestle]]. This bridge at the Conestoga carried the C&PD line over the river, while the A&S ran parallel and approximately {{convert|100|ft|m}} above.
-Construction was completed and the branch opened for traffic by July, 1906.<ref>HAER PA-531, Data Pages, p. 3</ref>
+Construction was completed and the line opened by July 1906.<ref>HAER PA-531, Data Pages, p. 3</ref>
-When combined with the railroad's Trenton Branch and Philadelphia and Thorndale Branch, the new line permitted the Pennsylvania Railroad to operate a low-grade bypass between [[Morrisville, Pennsylvania]] (just south of [[Trenton, NJ]]) and [[Harrisburg, PA]].  This allowed allowing freight trains to avoid the congestion of the eastern seaboard and the steep grades of the Main Line.<ref>Except for the ten mile section between [[Thorndale, PA]] and [[Parkesburg, PA]] where freight and passenger traffic shared the four-track main line.</ref>
+When combined with the railroad's [[Trenton Cutoff]] and Philadelphia & Thorndale Branch, the new line permitted the PRR to operate a low-grade bypass between [[Morrisville, Bucks County, Pennsylvania|Morrisville, Pennsylvania]] (just south of [[Trenton, New Jersey]]) and [[Harrisburg]]. This allowed freight trains to avoid the congestion of the [[East Coast of the United States|eastern seaboard]] and the steep grades of the Main Line.<ref>Except for a {{Convert|10|mi|adj=on}} section between [[Thorndale, Pennsylvania|Thorndale]] and [[Parkesburg, Pennsylvania|Parkesburg]] where freight and passenger traffic shared the four-track main line.</ref>
-The line flourished with freight traffic until the decline of northeast railroads and overall reduction in traffic made the line redundant.  The line survived the Pennsylvania Railroad's short-lived successor [[Penn Central]] until the era of [[Conrail]].  [[Conrail]] downgraded the line, first removing the overhead [[overhead lines|catenary]], then by rerouting traffic over the former [[Reading Company]]'s line from [[Harrisburg]] to northern [[New Jersey]].  The last train on the line ran in 1988.  Conrail petitioned to abandon the line in 1989 and track was removed around 1990.
+The line flourished with freight traffic until the decline of northeast railroads and overall reduction in traffic made the line redundant. The line survived PRR's short-lived successor [[Penn Central]] (1968–1976) and into the era of the PC's successor, [[Conrail]]. Conrail downgraded the line, removing the overhead [[overhead lines|catenary]] and later rerouting traffic over the former [[Reading Company]]'s line between [[Harrisburg]] and northern [[New Jersey]]. The last train ran on the line in 1988. Conrail petitioned the [[Interstate Commerce Commission]] to abandon the line in 1989 and track was removed around 1990.
-Although the line was (physically) abandoned before the [[1999]] breakup of [[Conrail]] by the [[Norfolk Southern Railway]] and [[CSX Transportation]], the right of way had been retained due to disputes over the historical nature of the line's bridges, and passed to Norfolk Southern.  A group called Friends of the Atglen-Susquehanna Trail had prepared to establish the line as a rail trail, but this plan was opposed by local township residents and ultimately failed.  Norfolk Southern finally 'sold' the line to the seven townships through which it passes<ref>Bart, Conestoga, Eden, Martic, Providence, Sadsbury, and West Sadsbury</ref> in July 2008.  Norfolk Southern received $1 from each of the townships, although it also supplied the townships with a total of $1.4 million for bridge removal or repair.
+While the track had been removed prior to the 1999 breakup of Conrail by the [[Norfolk Southern Railway|Norfolk Southern]] (NS) and [[CSX Transportation|CSX]], the [[Right-of-way (transportation)|right-of-way]] was retained due to disputes over the historical nature of the line's bridges and passed to NS. A group called Friends of the Atglen–Susquehanna Trail proposed using the line as a [[rail trail]], which was opposed by local residents and ultimately failed. In July 2008, NS sold a portion of the abandoned line to eight municipalities,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=April 2012 |title=Enola Low-Grade Trail – Providence Township Section Master Plan – Draft – Supervisors Review v1.0 |url=http://providencetownship.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Enola_Low_Grade_Master_Plan_-_Low_Resolution_Draft.pdf |website=Providence Township, PA}}</ref> charging each $1 and supplying a total of $1.4 million in grants for bridge removal or repair.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} NS also contributed $1.25 million to [[Manor Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania|Manor Township]] to develop their portion of the right of way.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Long |first=Sue |date=October 2014 |title=Enola Low Grade Rail Trail |url=https://www.lancastercountymag.com/enola-low-grade-rail-trail/ |access-date= |website=Lancaster County Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> After being abandoned, much of the right of way had been overgrown with heavy brush, and while the rail and [[Railroad tie|ties]] had been removed, a rough surface of loose [[track ballast]] remained.
-Amtrak, which received ownership of the Pennsylvania Railroad's electric traction system, continues to operate the two 138 kV transmission lines that run along the A&S right of way.  The entire transmission line is scheduled to be replaced in 2011, and the distinctive Pennsylvania Railroad catenary structures will be replaced with typical utility-style monopoles.
 ==Modern day==
-Currently, the right-of-way stands under heavy brush.  The loose railroad ballast remains, although the ties have been removed, and the surface is rough.
+=== Enola Low Grade Trail ===
-The Pennsylvania Railroad catenary supports remain, operated by Amtrak under easement, to supply electricity from Safe Harbor Damn to the Parkesburg traction substation.  Ironically while they were one of the last parts of the line to be installed (c. 1938), they are the only remaining structure supporting railroad operations.
+[[File:Enola Lowgrade Trail SafeHarbor (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Enola Low Grade Trail over the Safe Harbor Trestle 2022]]
+The portion of the right of way that was transferred to the Lancaster County municipalities is now a {{convert|29|mi|km|adj=on}} rail trail named the Enola Low Grade Trail.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.traillink.com/trail/enola-low-grade-trail.aspx |title=Enola Low Grade Trail |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date= |website=TrailLink |publisher=Rails-to-Trails Conservancy |access-date=2015-03-14}}</ref> The eight municipalities have opened their sections at varying rates, with the first opening in September 2011. The portion in Manor Township opened in 2013,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Crable |first=Ad |date=2013-08-20 |title=Manor Township rail-trail worth the wait |url=https://lancasteronline.com/news/manor-township-rail-trail-worth-the-wait/article_762968a7-1c8f-5ac8-941c-004093c57fd4.html |access-date= |website=Lancaster Online |language=en}}</ref> while [[Martic Township, Pennsylvania|Martic]] and [[Conestoga Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania|Conestoga]] townships opened their improved portions in the first half of 2017, and a pedestrian bridge over [[U.S. Route 222|U.S. 222]] north of [[Quarryville, Pennsylvania|Quarryville]] opened in April 2018. The [[Safe Harbor Trestle]] opened in June 2022 after a multi-year overhaul, and in October 2022, a trestle in Martic Township reopened (it had first opened for trail users in 2015 but burnt down in 2018), forming a continuous {{Convert|19|mi|abbr=on}} improved segment between Manor Township and Quarryville.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2022-10-24 |title=Phoenix Rising: Martic Forge Trestle reopens after devastating 2018 fire |url=https://unchartedlancaster.com/2022/10/24/phoenix-rising-martic-forge-trestle-reopens-after-devastating-2018-fire/ |access-date= |website=Uncharted Lancaster |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Enola Low Grade Rail Trail |url=https://quarryvilleborough.com/recreation/enola-low-grade-rail-trail/ |access-date= |website=Quarryville Borough}}</ref>
+Of the remaining {{Convert|10|mi|abbr=on}} of unimproved trail, the portions in [[Eden Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania|Eden]] and [[Bart Township, Pennsylvania|Bart]] townships are expected to be improved in 2023–24, while funding is being sought to improve the final, easternmost segment through [[Sadsbury Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania|Sadsbury Township]] to Atglen, including a connection with the [[Chester Valley Rail Trail]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Crable |first=Ad |date=2022-05-29 |title=$9 million conversion of historic Safe Harbor trestle may be national draw |url=https://lancasteronline.com/sports/outdoors/9-million-conversion-of-historic-safe-harbor-trestle-may-be-national-draw-column/article_73482880-dde3-11ec-a3c9-1bad519c7a74.html |access-date= |website=Lancaster Online |language=en}}</ref>
+=== Amtrak power line ===
+{{Main|Amtrak's 25 Hz traction power system#Conestoga to Atglen transmission line}}
+[[Amtrak]], which received ownership of PRR's [[Amtrak's 25 Hz traction power system|electric traction system]], operates a power transmission line along the right of way under [[easement]]. Its two 138 kV lines supply electricity from [[Safe Harbor Dam]] to Amtrak's Parkesburg traction substation. In 2011, Amtrak moved the line's cables from the old Pennsylvania Railroad catenary supports to new monopoles,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-04-28 |title=Amtrak is Working on the Railroad in 2010: $1 billion construction program funds projects to improve reliability, safety and security (Press release no. ATK-10-062) |url=http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/BlobServer?blobcol=urldata&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobkey=id&blobwhere=1249208864661&blobheader=application/pdf&blobheadername1=Content-disposition&blobheadervalue1=attachment;filename=Amtrak_ATK-10-062_Amtrak_2010_.pdf |url-status=dead |website=[[Amtrak]] |access-date=2012-07-20 |archive-date=2012-09-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915053513/http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/BlobServer?blobcol=urldata&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobkey=id&blobwhere=1249208864661&blobheader=application/pdf&blobheadername1=Content-disposition&blobheadervalue1=attachment;filename=Amtrak_ATK-10-062_Amtrak_2010_.pdf }}</ref> upgrading the surface to crushed stone at the same time.
+== References ==
-Since the right of way was transferred to the respective townships, about 13 miles of the line has been opened to the public.<ref>Traillink.com, April 2010</ref>  Amtrak will improve the surface to a crushed-stone trail concurrently with their transmission line replacement project.  The Conestoga {{Coord|39.9253|-76.3844|name=Conestoga Trestle}} and Martic Forge {{Coord|39.9079|-76.3283|name=Martic Forge Trestle}} Trestles remain closed.
+{{Reflist}}
-== Notes and References ==
+== External links ==
+*{{HAER |survey=PA-531 |id=pa3741 |title=Pennsylvania Railroad, Safe Harbor Bridge, Spanning mouth of Conestoga River, Safe Harbor, Lancaster, PA |photos=11 |data=5 |cap=1}}
-{{reflist}}
+*AbandonedRails.com. [http://www.abandonedrails.com/Atglen_and_Susquehanna_Branch "The Atglen and Susquehanna Branch"]
+*{{cite news |last= Crable|first= Ad|date= 2013-08-20|title= Manor Township rail-trail worth the wait|url= http://lancasteronline.com/news/manor-township-rail-trail-worth-the-wait/article_762968a7-1c8f-5ac8-941c-004093c57fd4.html|newspaper= Lancaster New Era|location= Lancaster, PA|access-date= 2015-03-14}}
+{{Susquehanna Valley Railroads}}
-* "Pennsylvania Railroad, Safe Harbor Bridge, Spanning mouth of Conestoga River, Safe Harbor, Lancaster, PA ", ''Historic American Engineering Record'', Library of Congress Call Number [http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/PA3741/ HAER PA,36-SAHAR,1-].
-* [http://www.bullsheet.com/news/atglensusq.html ''Trail Planned for Former PRR Atglen & Susquehanna Branch'']
-* [http://www.traillink.com/trail/enola-low-grade-trail-%28formerely-atglen-susquehanna-trail%29.aspx Enola Low Grade Trail]
-* [http://www.abandonedrails.com/Atglen_and_Susquehanna_Branch The Atglen and Susquehanna Branch]
 [[Category:Pennsylvania Railroad lines]]
 [[Category:Pennsylvania Railroad Through-freight Lines]]
+[[Category:Railroad cutoffs]]
+[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1906]]
+[[Category:Railway lines closed in 1989]]
+[[Category:Closed railway lines in the United States]]

v t e Railroads in the Susquehanna Valley
Intercity passenger rail	Amtrak
Passenger rail services	Keystone Service Pennsylvanian
Intercity train stations	Harrisburg Middletown Elizabethtown Mount Joy Lancaster
Freight rail	Norfolk Southern Railway Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad Steelton and Highspire Railroad
Major freight rail lines	Buffalo Line Enola Branch Harrisburg Line Lurgan Branch Pittsburgh Line Royalton Branch
Rail yards	Enola Yard Harrisburg Yard Rutherford Yard