Erie Lackawanna Timetables (May, 1962)

Published: February 21, 2024

Presented below is public timetables from the early Erie Lackawanna era (May, 1962) presented in The Official Guide Of The Railways.

The Erie Lackawanna (EL), known for its iconic "The Friendly Service Route" motto, was born in the 1960 merger of Delaware, Lackawanna & Western (DL&W) and Erie railroad companies.

Its rail network spanned 3,000 miles across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana, playing a vital role in industrial and passenger transportation.

EL operated some famous passenger trains, such as the Lake Cities and Phoebe Snow. Sadly, EL's existence was marked by financial difficulties. The company was particularly hit hard by the flooding caused by Hurricane Agnes in 1972.

EL declared bankruptcy the same year, ultimately being absorbed into Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail) in 1976. Despite its challenges, EL notably pioneered the use of trailer-on-flatcar (TOFC) service, an early version of today’s intermodal freight transport.

Furthermore, Erie Lackawanna’s historical significance is recognized through the preserved artifacts and sections of its tracks, found particularly in the Steamtown National Historic Site in Pennsylvania and the Blissfield Model Railroad Club in Michigan.

The EL's rail trails, such as the Paulinskill Valley Trail in New Jersey, continue to be appreciated by hikers and cyclists, retaining traces of a once thriving era of railroading.

Public Timetables (May, 1962)