I was wondering if anyone can give a list of symbol freights run on the RDG's Bethlehem Branch in the late 60's. I am trying to model the Bethlehem Branch and would like to set-up and name my trains. My search so far has uncovered the following, but I'm not sure the information is right.

Train XB24 - night ore train from Port Richmond to Bethlehem

Train BX3 - early morning empty ore train from Bethlehem to Port Richmond

Train PB-1: Through Freight from Phila to Bethlehem. No info on times, loads, size of train etc..

Train PB-3: Through Freight from Phila to Bethlehem. No info on times, loads, size of train etc.. Train ????:

Bethlehem Ore extra - day run

Train ????: Local freight

Any help or information would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

Potamus


Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Mar 29, 2013 8:08 am
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I'll take a crack at this for you. First off,XB24 amd BX3 ran from Abrams Yard to Bethlehem (Saucon Creek). According to Bob Wise, XB23 ran on the Stony Creek Branch to Lansdale. Have to say that I doubt the focus was Iron Ore, but there could have been a significant amount of Limestone off of the Chester Valley Branch.

Trains from Port Richomond were Pb1 and BP2. As far as I know, BP3. etc. were gone by the mid 60's. Ore trains would not have symbols, but would be known as Extra3640 West (East). There was a local freight, Traveling Shifter in Reading parlance) that ran from Saucon to Oreland and return. Movement data I have from July through September of 1967 confirms that cars for Quakertown, Perkasie, Coopersburg Souderton and even Hatfield were routed to Suacon from points west of Allentown. Locals would have been extra as well.

I recommend "Reading Diesels Volume 2" and F.D.&S. "A Journeys End" articles for background info.

Potamus, Extras were identified by engine number, i.e. a traveling shifter with RS-3 471 would have been Extra471.

"1970 Freight Schedules" accessible under the "Articles" tab is a fascinating interactive display of many of the freight movements. Try it, you will be amazed, for it not only shows Bethlehem Branch runs, but routes for the whole system.

When the genius (respectfully stated) who did this one has time, I suppose one for 1965 (or 1960, or 1950, or...) could be coded and posted, too.

I hope the basic information is still around to be able to construct these. If I recall, there was some kind of listing on the Anthracite Yahoo! group that supplemented the one here.

George Nelson

A listing for 1950's or 1960 is possible working from employee timetables. I have attached a pdf from the april 25, 1954 Reading Divison Timetable

WindsorSpring, I am that "genius" - I actually have a copy of the full 1968 Freight Schedule that I'm thinking about posting one of these days; however, there are not many differences between the 1968 and 1970 version that is currently on line.

If anyone has a copy of an earlier schedule book (as opposed to the schedule info that's included in a timetable) and is willing to loan it for a time, I'd be most willing to consider reviewing and posting online.

In addition, I'd be very interested if anyone has CLASSIFICATION guidelines in their collection that they'd be willing to share - the Reading used to compile a book that actually gave blocking instructions for trains - (ie 1st block Reading, 2nd block Lebanon, 3rd block Rutherford and beyond, etc.) that would be most helpful for modelers. I'd LOVE to see that info and get it online...

Tom