Must-visit RR hotspots in N.E. PA

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

I’m traveling to Ceasar’s Brookdale Resort in Scotrun, PA to celebrate my 40th. birthday on Aug. 10. We (my girlfriend and I) plan to stay for a week or so and will visit Steamtown in nearby Scranton. I enjoy all forms of motive power so, watching CSX and NS freights or local shortlines and regionals, if any, from someplace nearby would be great.

I’m sure some of my friends here are familiar with the geography. Your suggestions will be tallied and an itinerary will be generated based on your feedback. I would really like to see some of Pennsylvania’s majestic viaducts, if any exist within 20 to 30 miles (32 to 48 kilometers) from Scotrun.

I understand that the Poconos aren’t nearly as rugged as the Alleghenies, therefore, mountain passes and valley crossings must be less defined with regard to height from valley floor and percentage of grade in this area. Someplace that offers a nice vantage point for photography is considered ideal even if it is off the beaten path and some hiking is required.

I look forward to our trip and owe thanks to everyone who offers suggestions.

Thank you,

2

There is Tunkhannock viaduct in nearby Nicholson, PA.

3

You named it, the town of NORTHEAST, PA

Spend all day on the benches on the station platform, the Station is a RR Museum (formally NYC)!! RR scaners are on the station speakers. On average, a main line freight sales by every 20 minutes. between, go inside and buy a souvenir.

The East/West main lines of CSX and NS run side by side past the station while behind it sits locomotives and cars from the past, including a South Shore “Little Joe” electric.

4

Can you be more specific, geographically? I cannot find this town’s name in any database.

Thanks DMUinCT.

5

Ironically, if it’s the same town I know, Northeast PA is actually near Erie in northwestern PA.

Hope this confusion helps you out.

6

That’s it, on the Interstate between Buffalo and Erie.

Made a trip to Erie two years ago, dropped in for an hour, spent the whole day.

7

The name of the town is North East, PA. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to be near where you are staying.

8

Starrucca Viaduct and the nearby Susquehanna, PA station. Not much traffic anymore (on the ex-Erie main between Port Jervis and Binghampton), but the Viaduct is absolutely spellbinding. There is a small display of RR related items at the depot.

9

If you want to take a ride down I-80 East into Jersey (about 8 miles), you will pass under the Lackawanna Cutoff Viaduct. If you get off at he Portland Exit and go back into Pa. you may see a coal train. If you follow 611 South to Martins Creek, their is usually a crew drilling there in the afternoon. If you continue South on 611 about 10 more miles you will come into Easton, Pa. There you should see a few Norfolk Southern trains on the Lehigh Line. If your still adventerous after that, you could take Rt 22 West to Allentown, NS has a big yard there that was Conrails. I get lost every time I go there, so you’ll need directions from 22 to get there. To get back to Scotrun, just take 33 North off of 22 and that will take you back to Bartonsville and the I-80 interchange.

10

Northeast,Pa.,is on the State line of Pa/NY off I-90(in Pa).Another spot that wasn’t mentioned was the Bort Road overpass,just East of the train museum.Here you have the CSX(under bridge)and NS(at grade)right there…Just as the museum in the Town of Northeast was listed as a hotspot,Bort Road has also been listed on other sites as a hotspot.