This view shows the Atglen & Susquehanna branch tracks in the process of relocation prior to electrification through Columbia in 1938. Scene is looking north fromLocust Street. "LG-42" tower is in the distance.
Provenance
From box labeled Pennsylvania RR Main Line, Columbia Br., A & S Br.
A rail-fan trip was operated in May 1955 from Philadelphia to Gettysburg over the Pennsylvania and Western Maryland via York. Pennsylvania's K-4, No. 7133 heads up the special near the Centerville Road crossing on the Columbia branch west of Rohrerstown.
Provenance
From box labeled Pennsylvania RR Main Line, Columbia Br., A & S Br.
The almost forgotten era of steam returned momentarily when a fan trip out of Baltimore powered by two former Canadian Pacific steam locomotives puased at the Locust Street crossing in Columbia in May of 1969
Provenance
From box labeled Pennsylvania RR Main Line, Columbia Br., A & S Br.
Landisville's "Railroad House," was in such close proximity to the Pennsylvania's main line tracks that legend has it that the draft from passing non-stop expresses could blow soup from plates in the dining room. Also in this 1909 view is "NV" block station which controlled the cross over of the Pennsylvania's tracks with that of the Reading & Columbia branch of the Reading. The block station in later years was changed from "NV"to "LANDIS" before it was eventually demolished.
Pictures aren't always what they seem to be. Looking for all the world like the old "York-Philadelphia Express" of years gone by, it is in truth the Strasburg's former P. R. R. classic #7002 at Columbi's Front Street crossing on November 11, 1988 being towed westward to Gettysburg to participate in a reinactment of Lincoln's trip to Gettysburg. A diesel at the other end of the train is providing the power.
As long as the baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia outshopped locomotives for western roads, Columbia usually had a grand stand seat to see the new locomotives en route. An early Southern Pacific "Cab-in-Front" mallet #4017 lays over on Manor Siding in Columbia in 1911. The man by the cabin si the "escort" who accompanied the engine to California.
The Pennsylvania Railroad was wont to refer to its signal towers as "Block Stations." Columbia's "COLA" block station controlled operations on three busy lines. It was closed in February 1987 when dispatching was moved to Harrisburg. This interior scene during "COLA's" last days show left to right Gordon Peters, retired long time operator observingoperator Joseph Sacrepont registering a passing train.
This copy of a 1908 view card shows a Philadelphia & Reading "camel-back" type locomotive blowing off steam along the side of the ornate passenger station that graced the entrance to Lititz Springs Park. The plant of the old Ideal Cocoa & Chocolate Company is in the background. The station was later demolished but years later historic-minded Lititz buildt an accurate reproduction on almost the same site.
A trainman waves from the baggage door of the Pennsylvania's York - Lancaster, one car gas-electric run during one of its last evening departures from Front and Walnut Street in Columbia. A few days later on January 4, 1954, the car made its final farewll trip from Lancaster to York.
The Philadelphia & Reading hauled a considerable volume of anthracite coal from up-state Pennsylvania mines to Columbia where it was trans-shipped to the canal boats of the Susquehanna & Tidewater Canal which reached Havre De Grace, Maryland where ocean going tugs pulled the canal boats down the bay to Baltimore and as far as the coal bunkers of the U. S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. This stereo scene shows at P&R locomotive switching at the coal wharf in the 1880's.
