Ironton Railroad Rail - Trail - Coplay & Whitehall (N. of Allentown), Lehigh Co., PA

This is very nice nearby rail-trail that’s a bit unusual because the main portion is legitimately a 5.5 mile loop ! All of it is paved except for about a 1/4 mile east and south of the Saylor Cement Museum to the next overhead highway bridge - Chestnut St. on this end. Here are the links to its official website and “Photos” page - I recommend browsing through all the links, because each seems to have some nugget of history, information, or a nice view, which is not readily evident from just the “links” or the “On the Web” page listings, such as this one: http://www.usboomers.com/ironton.htm

“About” page: http://www.irontonrailtrail.org/About%20Ironton%20Rail%20Trail.htm

Map: http://www.irontonrailtrail.org/IRTmap.htm

“Photos” page: http://www.irontonrailtrail.org/IRTphotos.htm

“When the Ironton RR was Still Running” photos page - about 8 of them: http://www.irontonrailtrail.org/IRTRRphotosPg1.htm

Since I’ve already started separate threads on the concrete phone booth, and the dispatcher’s train sheet and other documents in it, this thread will be devoted to some more general views and especially comments and insights about it from time to time. The “Photos” page has links to many ‘along the way’ type photos by others, so I’ll try not to duplicate those except where I can add something informative or useful for this audience.

Combination passenger coach-baggage car that was last used by the Ironton Railroad as its Egypt yard office - the unincorporated town of Egypt is just about 1/2 mile north of this location. Note the truss rods underneath. It appe

Paul,

It’s always puzzled me about rhe Ironton. How B&O/RDG/CNJ and bitter rival PRR/LV got along to run that road. And then was the Philly to Buffalo Interstate and Black Diamond connection, B&O into Penn Station, and Aldene.

RIX

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