Anthracite

Company History: ATRW was launched in 1983 to take over as designated operator on three separate state owned former Reading lines in Pennsylvania from Conrail. The lines were Eammus to Pennsburg, a distance of 16 miles; Pottstown to Boyertown, 9 miles; and Kutztown to Topton, 4 miles. The diesel fleet included a GE 65-tonner, a pair of SW1’s and an RS3. Traffic included automobiles, foundry material, grain, lumber, paper and plastics. ATRW was affiliated with Octoraro Railway. Try as they might, ATRW couldn’t make a go of it in the long run and they gave up the franchise is 1989. Reading & Northern took over operation at that time.

Successor/Parent History: The RBMN was the result of the 1990 expansion and re-organization of the Blue Mountain & Reading Railroad. At first, locomotives were lettered for Reading Blue Mountain & Northern but this was later simplified to Reading & Northern. For most purposes, the company uses the two names interchangeably. Today the RBMN operates 300 miles of line in eastern Pennsylvania (it’s about the length of the Clinchfield or Toledo Peoria & Western.)

The mainline runs north from Reading through Port Clinton, Tamaqua, Jim Thorpe, to Pittston. Branches from Pittston reach Scranton and Mehoopany. There is also a dense network of branches to the west of the mainline in Schuykill County. This is Pennsylvania’s anthracite region and while the golden age of anthracite for home heating is well behind us, it still has important industrial uses and RBMN proudly calls themselves the Road of Anthracite on their Reading influenced black diamond logo.

RBMN has continued the tradition of tourist operations begun by their predecessor and continues to roster the ex-GM&N Pacific and ex-Reading Northern. A former Canadian Pacific 4-6-0 has also been added to the roster. As of this writing, the freight locomotive fleet includes two SD50M’s, two SW8’s, two SW8m’s, an SW7, two SW1500’s, three SD38’s, four GP39RN’s, nine SD40-2’s, and three SD50’s. We will have more Reading & Northern photos with tomorrow's Railroad of the Day.

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