This series of drawings shows the Main Line, starting at Port Clinton and heading south to Reading, through Reading Yard and on to Birdsboro. The Reading Belt Line is also included. Please note that the source drawings for this set are photocopies, and may be slightly cut off at the sides and bottom, but critical info is readily discernible.
- Main Line/Belt Line_10
- Hits: 1843
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Description:
Birdsboro - a VERY busy locale on the Reading! In this drawing, the Main Line is shown at the top of the page, and the wye at the top is the connection to the Wilmington & Northern (W&N) Branch. At the bottom of the page, the Belt Line (also known in this area as the "Turkey Path") joins the Main Line AND the W&N Branch via the wye at the bottom of the page.
- Belt Line_1
- Hits: 1719
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Description:
The remaining drawings in this series highlight the Reading Belt Line, the "way around Reading" constructed in the early part of the 20th Century to allow freight traffic to avoid the numerous grade crossings in downtown Reading. Here we see the line heading east, diverging from the Main Line at Belt Line Junction, across the Schuylkill River and past the Carpenter Steel plant (which interestingly enough had sidings on both sides of the river) towards the Tulpehocken Creek approaching Lebanon Valley Junction.
- Belt Line_2
- Hits: 1625
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Description:
In this view, the Belt Line crosses the Tulpehocken Creek, and heads under the Lebanon Valley Branch at Lebanon Valley Junction. The wye at the bottom of the page shows the connection to the Lebanon Valley Branch at Wyomissing Junction. The line then follows the west shore of the Schuylkill River towards Klapperthal Junction.
- Belt Line_3
- Hits: 1632
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Description:
In this view, the Belt Line diverges into two segments at Cumru Junction at the right side of the photo. The upper line goes to Klapperthal Junction where it joins the Main Line, while the lower line is the "Turkey Path" that connects to the Main Line and Wilmington & Northern Branch further south in Birdsboro.
- Belt Line_4
- Hits: 1720
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Description:
Detail view of the line between Cumru Junction and Klapperthal Junction. The sidings for coal storage for the Titus power plant are shown, and while the plant has ceased operations, the storage tracks are still visible from Route 422.
- Belt Line_6
- Hits: 1754
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Description:
Where the "Turkey Path" meets the W&N Branch and the Main Line. This is the detail view of the lower wye seen in Photo #10. This area was also the location of Brooke Tower, protecting the crossing of the Reading and PRR. On the Reading, the tower had the telegraph call sign "BE," while its counterpart Bird Tower on the other side of the river was designated "BO."
Did You Know?
Downloads
A variety of Reading Company operations related documents, etc. that may be of use in your modeling efforts.
A variety of Reading Company operations paperwork, such as train orders, clearance forms, etc. that will help you operate your Reading layout in a prototypical manner.
Public Timetables, Employe Timetables, and Rulebooks that provide much useful operational information.
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