As far as ai know a short line picks up a few cars from Sayre and the line is preety much a as needed only to Hazeltown.
A small short line handles the route south from Sayre to a paper mill, and at that point the line is owned by the regional Reading & Blue Mountain to the Jim Thorp area, where it becomes NS again. The line north from Sayre past Ithaca may be in trouble, as IIRC the power plant will no longer need coal.
I rode the line from Pittston to Jim Thorp during the 2010 NHRS convention, and I think it is busier than you think.
Actualy when i was there 2 years ago there was a train hauling a huge drum for a Proctor and Gamble plant inMeshoppen PA down the line from Sayre. Unfortnatley from what I was told by NS crews there is no thru train service as cars only go that far. Then one has to walk down a couple of miles of dead track to the next industry and get a railroad car from there on the next railroad. if that is still true.
The thread title prompts me to ask whether you want to know about this so that you can hop a freight train for a free ride. If that is the case, please go away.
With apologies to Hank Snow - LAST RIDE
"In the Dodge City Yards of the Santa Fe - Stood a freight made up for the East - and the engineer with his oil and waste - Was groomin the great iron beast; - while ten cars back in the murky dust - A box car door swung wide - And a hobo lifted his pal aboard - to start on his last long ride; - A lantern swung and the freight pulled out - the engine it gathered speed - the engineer pulled the throttle wide and clucked to his firey steed; - ten cars back in an empty box - the hobo rolled a pill - the flare of the match showed his partners face - stark white, and deathly still - as the train wheels clicked on the couplin and joints - a song for the ramblers ears - the hobo talked to the still white form - his pal for many a year; - for a mighty long time we’ve rambled, Jack - with the luck of men that roam - with the back door steps for a dining room - and a boxcar for a home; - We dodged the bulls on the eastern route - and the cops on the Cheasapeake - We traveled the Leadville Narrow Gauge - In the days of the Cripple Creek; - we drifted down through sunny Cal - on the rails of the old S.P. - and of all you had, through good and bad - A half always belongs to me; - you made me promise to you, Jack - if I lived and you cashed in - to take you back to the old churchyard - and bury you there with your kin; - You seemed to know I would keep my word - For you said I was wise - We’ll, I’m keeping my promise to ya, pal - Cause I’m takin you home tonight; - I had’nt the money to send you there - so I’m takin you back on the “fly” - It’s the decent way for a Bo to go - Home to the by and the by; - I knew that fever had you, Jack - and that doctor just wouldn’t come - He was too busy treatin’ the wealthy folks - To doctor a worn out bum; - As the train rolled over its ribbon of steel - Straight thru to the east it sped - The engineer in his high cab seat - Keep his eyes on the rails ahead; - While ten cars back in the em
Dr. D —
Check out “Old Buddy Goodnight” by Bruce (Utah) Phillips.
Tom
