Lehigh and New England Railroad: Map, Rosters, History
Last revised: August 22, 2024
By: Adam Burns
The Lehigh and New England Railroad was likely the least known of the
great anthracite carriers of the Northeast which included names like the Reading,
Lehigh Valley, and Jersey Central.
The L&NE had a very tumultuous history prior to its final organization in 1895 due to its small size, few markets served, and circuitous main line.
The road's earliest ancestry dates back to the efforts in constructing what eventually became the Poughkeepsie Bridge, a key gateway for several regional systems.
Once this structure was completed, after more than twenty years, the modern L&NE was blossomed into a respectable railroad.
By the late 1950s with anthracite demand dying and no other means of traffic diversification the L&NE's ownership took the unusual step of voluntarily calling it quits.
Most of the road was abandoned or dismantled while the Jersey Central acquired a few segments still handling relatively good business. Today, few remnants of this classic road remain in service.
Photos
Lehigh & New England FA-1's layover at the engine house and shops in Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania during May of 1961. American-Rails.com collection.History
The L&NE’s history prior to 1895 is a very confusing and complicated affair involving numerous name changes, failures, and reorganizations. A detailed, but brief summary will be provided here.
If the original incarnation of the L&NE had been brought to life it would have encompassed three different railroads providing through service between Boston, Massachusetts to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania via Poughkeepsie, New York and the northern tip of New Jersey.
The segment related directly to the L&NE's heritage was known as the South Mountain & Boston Railroad chartered on March 13, 1873. It was intended to run from Portland, Pennsylvania along the New Jersey state line to Boston Corners, New York situated near the southwestern corner of Massachusetts.
At the former location the SM&B would connect with the South Mountain Railroad reaching Harrisburg while the Massachusetts Central Railroad would build from the latter town into Boston.
At A Glance
219 (1930) 177 (1950) Campbell Hall, New York - Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania - Tamaqua - Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania Benders Junction, Pennsylvania - Allentown/Bethlehem Clyde - Catasauqua, Pennsylvania Bath - Martins Creek, Pennsylvania Lansford - Summit Hill, Pennsylvania Glenwood Junction - Empire Quarries, New York |
With financial backing at the start, grading commenced almost immediately although the financial Panic of 1873 quickly brought work to a halt.
This was, essentially, the closest the project ever came to completion as there was never enough sound financial security in the succeeding years to see much construction carried out .
After numerous bankruptcies, foreclosures, and name changes, which included:
- Pennsylvania, Poughkeepsie & New England Railroad (1879)
- Pennsylvania & New England Railroad (1880)
- Delaware & Slatington Railroad (1881)
- Pennsylvania, Slatington & New England Railroad (1882-1887)
- Pennsylvania, Poughkeepsie & Boston Railroad (1887-1895)
The Lehigh & New England Railroad was organized on April 2, 1895 following receivership of the Pennsylvania, Poughkeepsie & Boston.
System Map (1940)
By the time the L&NE was formed the founder’s original plans had fallen far short of either Boston or Harrisburg. Its route at this time was much more modest, extending from Slatington, Pennsylvania to Pine Island, New York.
The L&NE had reached no large markets except for the Allentown/Bethlehem area but the road found growing success in the anthracite coal markets of eastern Pennsylvania.
These deposits were rich enough to support several railroads as the clean burning fuel was highly desired for heating purposes in the metropolitan regions throughout the Northeast.
The L&NE truly blossomed following the opening of the Poughkeepsie Bridge on January 1, 1889. It was controlled by the Central New England Railway, later a division of the New York, New Haven & Hartford (New Haven), and offered an inside gateway for the smaller lines moving freight to and from New England.
At its peak the L&NE’s system stretched a little over 200 miles; it ran from a connection at Tamaqua, Pennsylvania with the Reading, branched from Bender's Junction to the Allentown/Bethlehem area (this section also reached Bath, Pennsylvania and Martins Creek to the east), and headed northeasterly to Campbell Hall/Maybrook.
At Campbell Hall the L&NE interchanged with the New York, Ontario & Western while the Erie provided a connection just to the south at Goshen, New York. Other connections at the following locations included:
- Erie Railroad at Pine Island, New York
- New York, Susquehanna & Western at Hainesburg Junction and Swartswood Junction
- Pennsylvania Railroad at Martins Creek, Pennsylvania
- Lehigh Valley at Stockertown, Catasauqua, and Lizard Creek Junction, Pennsylvania
- Delaware, Lackawanna & Western at Portland and Bath Junction, Pennsylvania
- Jersey Central at Bethlehem and Hauto/Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania
- Chestnut Ridge Railway at Palmerton, Pennsylvania
Lehigh & New England FA-1 #709 readies to leave the engine house at Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania on August 22, 1953. Joe Stark photo.The Lehigh & New England's "main line" was more or less a jumble of branches with freight generally moving to interchanges at Bethlehem/Allentown, Tamaqua, and the Campbell Hall/Maybrook gateway.
The road's primary yard and shops were situated in the small town of Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania located towards the southern end of its system.
While the L&NE served as a bridge line similar to that of neighbor L&HR it also carried a considerable amount of anthracite coal derived from online mines in addition to cement traffic from branch lines around Bath.
According to J.W. Swanberg article, "Maybrook, New York: One Yard, Six Railroads, Cars By The Thousands; The Northeast's Melting Pot," in 1953 coal still comprised 48% of its annual carloads while cement accounted for 28% and general traffic another 25%.
Final Years
That year also witnessed nearly 31,000 carloads interchanged through the Maybrook Yard. In one of the stranger moves ever carried out by a railroad its board of directors elected to cease all operations after October 31, 1961 despite the fact the company was still profitable.
Logo
It is also surprising the Interstate Commerce Commission allowed the abandonment to take place given this fact. From the L&NE's standpoint it felt its future was bleak in the face of declining coal and other freight in a region already saturated with railroads.
Within the next few years large segments were taken up while bridges were dismantled over the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers. A few of its routes were spared when the nearby Jersey Central acquired the Bethlehem-Martins Creek segment as well as its old line to Tamaqua.
This ex-L&NE trackage was operated under a subsidiary known as the Lehigh & New England Railway. As Walter Kraus notes in his article, "Real Demise Of Rail Line Trailed Coal's Decline," from the August 24, 1989 edition of The Morning Call, the CNJ purchased this trackage for $10 million with the sale made effective following the October 31st shutdown.
These lines included Tadmor Yard at Bath, the Bethlehem Branch, the Martins Creek Branch, trackage around Catasauqua, and the former Panther Creek Railroad to Tamaqua.
The Central Railroad of New Jersey has gone by a number of different names from CRRNJ and CNJ to Jersey Central and its aforementioned official designation.
Regardless of its many names the CNJ was a New Jersey institution for years although it was only regional in operation and at its peak boasted a system of just over 700 miles. The CNJ served much of New Jersey along with northwestern Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. via a partnership with the B&O.
The demise of the railroad was the result of a number of factors including a region too saturated with railroads, stiff government regulation, falling traffic, and markets already served by stronger competitors.
However, for all of these issues, a heavy tax burden by the state of New Jersey only worsened the CNJ's situation over the years and ultimately led to the railroad’s bankruptcy and inclusion into Conrail during the spring of 1976.
After Conrail took over the CNJ much of the L&NE, along with the Jersey Central itself, was abandoned as its tackage was deemed redundant/superfluous.
Diesel Roster
There is one former L&NE diesel locomotive known to exist, S-2 #611. For many years it was owned by the Emporia Grain Elevator in Emporia, Indiana.
However, in 2016 it was acquired by the Lehigh & New England Railroad Preservation Society and relocated to Topton, Pennsylvania.
Working in conjunction with the Allentown & Auburn Railroad and the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society the three groups plan to restore the switcher back to operating condition wearing its original L&NE colors and number.
American Locomotive Company
| Model Type | Road Number | Date Built | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | 611-616 | 1948-1949 | 6 |
| RS2 | 651-663 | 1949 | 13 |
| FA-1 | 701-710 | 1948-1949 | 10 |
| FB-1 | 751-753 | 1948-1949 | 3 |
Whitcomb Locomotive Works
| Model Type | Road Number | Date Built | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65DE19a | 601 (Ex-U.S. Army) | 1944 | 1 |
Steam Roster
| Class | Type | Wheel Arrangement |
|---|---|---|
| B-5 | Switcher | 0-6-0 |
| E-14 | Consolidation | 2-8-0 |
| F-1 | Decapod | 2-10-0 |
| G-1 | Mikado | 2-8-2 |
| I-5 | Switcher | 0-8-0 |
A pair of Lehigh & New England FA-1's and an FB-1 work a long string of hoppers across the bridge at Lehigh Gap, Pennsylvania in 1961. Today, this bridge is gone and there is little trace a railroad was ever here.While the Lehigh & New England never operated a large diesel locomotive roster it did own a near all-Alco fleet including S-2s, RS-2s, and FAs/FBs.
After the CNJ took over operations the railroad began using a small fleet of GP7s, RS-3s, and a single RSD-4. While the L&NE is often a forgotten Northeastern system, a result of its early cessation, the company has an interesting and colorful history as poignant as the elegant paint scheme worn by its locomotives (black with white pinstriping).
Interestingly, the road's voluntarily abandonment proved a wise choice with the downfall of the Northeast's railroad network just a decade later; in 1968 New York Central and Pennsylvania merged to form the ill-fated Penn Central.
A year later it acquired the New Haven and slowly worked to close the Poughkeepsie gateway since it operated a direct line through New England. It got its way in 1974 when the bridge burned.
Recent Articles
-
Amtrak Timetables (May, 1972)
May 26, 26 12:19 AM
Presented here is Amtrak's complete timetable listing from the May, 1972 edition of "The Official Guide Of The Railways." -
Pennsylvania Independence Day Train Rides
May 25, 26 11:58 AM
Pennsylvania’s rich railroad heritage comes alive every Independence Day, but 2026—the nation’s semiquincentennial—offers extra patriotic flair. -
Ohio 'Wild West' Train Rides
May 25, 26 11:40 AM
For those enamored with tales of the Old West, Ohio's railroad experiences offer a unique blend of history, adventure, and natural beauty. -
New York 'Wild West' Train Rides
May 25, 26 11:37 AM
Join us as we explore wild west train rides in New York, bringing history to life and offering a memorable escape to another era. -
Kentucky "Father's Day" Train Rides
May 25, 26 11:34 AM
Kentucky offers a variety of historic and scenic train excursions that provide an unforgettable way to honor and spend quality time with fathers. -
Kansas "Father's Day" Train Rides
May 25, 26 11:33 AM
In this guide, we'll explore some of the best train rides available for Father's Day in Kansas. -
Vermont Independence Day Train Rides
May 25, 26 11:21 AM
On Independence Day, elements come together to offer a unique experience in Vermont: train rides that combine scenic beauty with patriotic celebrations. -
Georgia Independence Day Train Rides
May 24, 26 12:26 PM
As the 4th of July approaches in 2026, the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway in Blue Ridge, Georgia, invites you to celebrate America in true patriotic style aboard its Firecracker Special. -
Illinois Independence Day Train Rides
May 24, 26 11:58 AM
As America gears up for the 4th of July in 2026, the Illinois Railway Museum (IRM) in Union, Illinois, offers the perfect blend of patriotic festivities, family-friendly excitement, and living railroa… -
Alabama Independence Day Train Rides
May 24, 26 11:55 AM
For those seeking a unique way to celebrate the Fourth of July, Alabama offers a distinctive experience: honoring veterans and active military personnel on Independence Day by train. -
Ohio Independence Day Train Rides
May 24, 26 11:47 AM
In this guide, we will explore some of the best Independence Day train ride experiences available in Ohio. -
Alabama 'Wild West' Train Rides
May 24, 26 11:45 AM
Although Alabama isn't the traditional setting for Wild West tales, the state provides its own flavor of historic rail adventures that draw enthusiasts year-round. -
Missouri 'Wild West' Train Rides
May 24, 26 11:29 AM
In Missouri, a state rich in history and natural beauty, you can experience the thrill of a bygone era through the scenic and immersive Wild West train rides. -
Indiana 'Wild West' Train Rides
May 24, 26 11:27 AM
Indiana offers a unique opportunity to experience the thrill of the Wild West through its captivating train rides. -
Independence Day Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
May 24, 26 11:25 AM
Americans celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, barbecues, and parades, but there's another unique way to experience the spirit of freedom: train rides. -
Illinois 'Father's Day' Train Rides
May 24, 26 11:23 AM
If you're in Illinois and searching for something distinctive, consider taking your dad on a train ride through the picturesque landscapes of the Prairie State. -
Florida 'Father's Day' Train Rides
May 24, 26 11:21 AM
For those looking for something a little different this year, why not consider celebrating dad on Father's Day by train? -
South Dakota 'Beer Tasting' Train Rides
May 23, 26 12:51 PM
While the 1880 Train's regular runs are a treat in any season, the Oktoberfest Express adds an extra layer of fun: German-inspired food, seasonal beer, and live polka set against the sound and spectac… -
Michigan 'Beer Tasting' Train Rides
May 23, 26 12:49 PM
If you’re looking for a pure slice of autumn in West Michigan, the Coopersville & Marne Railway (C&M) has a themed excursion that fits the season perfectly: the Oktoberfest Exp… -
Indiana 'Murder Mystery' Dinner Train Rides
May 23, 26 12:47 PM
This piece explores the allure of murder mystery trains and why they are becoming a must-try experience for enthusiasts and casual travelers alike. -
Maryland 'Ice Cream' Tasting Train Rides
May 23, 26 12:46 PM
Among WMSR's shorter outings, one event punches well above its “simple fun” weight class: the Ice Cream Train. -
Colorado 'Father's Day' Train Rides
May 23, 26 12:43 PM
With its rugged mountains, rich railroading history, and picturesque landscapes, Colorado sets the perfect stage for a memorable Father's Day outing aboard a vintage train. -
California 'Father's Day' Train Rides
May 23, 26 12:41 PM
Celebrate and honor dad by train on a scenic rail experience! Find out which locations in California host these unique trips. -
Kentucky 'Wine Tasting' Train Rides
May 23, 26 12:40 PM
Kentucky, often celebrated for its rolling pastures, thoroughbred horses, and bourbon legacy, has been cultivating another gem in its storied landscapes; enjoying wine by rail. -
Florida 'Wine Tasting' Train Rides
May 23, 26 11:56 AM
Wine by train not only showcases the beauty of Florida's lesser-known regions but also celebrate the growing importance of local wineries and vineyards. -
Southern 2-8-2 4501 Debuts In "Virginia Green"
May 23, 26 11:54 AM
Southern Railway 2-8-2 #4501 debuted in its return to Virginia Green at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum today, May 23, 2026. -
NS Unveils First America250 Locomotive: 1776, "The Bell"
May 22, 26 11:15 PM
On May 22, 2026 Norfolk Southern unveiled its first in the America250 heritage locomotives series, 1776, "The Bell". -
Reading & Northern Issues Safety Directive Ahead Of 4014 Visit
May 22, 26 12:01 PM
With thousands of tickets sold for its upcoming series of Semiquincentennial Steam Celebration excursions, Reading & Northern Railroad is also anticipating thousands more trackside spectators to bear… -
Ohio 'Murder Mystery' Dinner Train Rides
May 22, 26 11:36 AM
The murder mystery dinner train rides in Ohio provide an immersive experience that combines fine dining, an engaging narrative, and the beauty of Ohio's landscapes. -
Tennessee 'Murder Mystery' Dinner Train Rides
May 22, 26 11:31 AM
Amidst the rolling hills and scenic landscapes of Tennessee, an exhilarating and interactive experience awaits those with a taste for mystery and intrigue. -
Alabama 'Father's Day' Train Rides
May 22, 26 11:29 AM
Alabama, with its rich railway heritage and scenic countryside, is a wonderful way to experience by train. One location even hosts a special trip for Father's Day! -
North Carolina 'Father's Day' Train Rides
May 22, 26 11:26 AM
Celebrating dad on a scenic train in North Carolina can be found at the New Hope Valley Railway which hosts a special event for the day. -
Texas 'Wine Tasting' Train Rides
May 22, 26 11:25 AM
This article invites you on a metaphorical journey through some of these unique wine tasting train experiences in Texas. -
New York 'Wine Tasting' Train Rides
May 22, 26 11:22 AM
This article will delve into the history, offerings, and appeal of wine tasting trains in New York, guiding you through a unique experience that combines the romance of the rails with the sophisticati… -
The Spirit of America: George H.W. Bush’s 1992 Campaign Train
May 22, 26 11:11 AM
In the fading days of summer 1992, President George H. W. Bush embarked on a classic American political tradition: the whistle-stop tour. -
Burlington Northern Timetables (May, 1972)
May 21, 26 11:56 PM
Presented here is the Burlington Northern's condensed freight timetables from the May, 1972 edition of the "Official Guide Of The Railways." -
Whiskey Tasting Train Rides (2026)
May 21, 26 11:12 PM
These rides across the United States offer a sensory journey through lush landscapes and historical corridors, often pairing scenic vistas with curated whiskey tastings. -
Father's Day Train Ride Locations (2026)
May 21, 26 10:54 PM
Celebrate dad by train! Several heritage railroads and museums host trips honoring dads. Learn more about which locations offer such excursions. -
The Chessie Safety Express: Steam-Powered Advocacy for Railroad Safety
May 21, 26 10:44 PM
In the fall of 1980, a gleaming Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) 4-8-4 steam locomotive named No. 614 thundered across the rails of the Chessie System, pulling a colorful consist of passenger cars filled with… -
Frankfort and Cincinnati Railroad: "The Kentucky Midland Route"
May 21, 26 06:08 PM
The Frankfort & Cincinnati was a small shortline located in north-central Kentucky that was known as "The Whiskey Route" for the many distilleries it served. The F&C shutdown in 1985. -
North Carolina 'Whiskey Tasting' Train Rides
May 21, 26 12:43 PM
One of the GSMR's most distinctive special events is Spirits on the Rail, a bourbon-focused dining experience built around curated drinks and a chef-prepared multi-course meal. -
Connecticut 'Whiskey Tasting' Train Rides
May 21, 26 12:42 PM
While the Naugatuck Railroad runs a variety of trips throughout the year, one event has quickly become a “circle it on the calendar” outing for fans of great food and spirited tastings: the BBQ & Bour… -
Kansas "Dinner" Train Rides From Abilene
May 21, 26 12:37 PM
If you’re looking for a heritage railroad that feels authentically Kansas—equal parts prairie scenery, small-town history, and hands-on railroading—the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad delivers. -
Vermont "Dinner" Train Rides At Burlington
May 21, 26 12:34 PM
There is one location in Vermont hosting a dedicated dinner train experience at the Green Mountain Railroad. -
New Jersey "Father's Day" Train Rides
May 21, 26 12:24 PM
There are a few locations in New Jersey celebrating dads with a train ride. Learn more about these unique trips here! -
Massachusetts "Father's Day" Train Rides
May 21, 26 12:16 PM
The Cape Cod Central is the one location in the state hosting an event just for dads, a special brunch train. Learn more here! -
Historic Steam Locomotive Heads To Charleston For America250 Exhibit
May 21, 26 11:58 AM
A rare piece of West Virginia industrial history, an 0-4-0F fireless steam locomotive by H.K. Porter in 1945, is being installed near the West Virginia State Capitol Complex in Charleston as part of a… -
Connecticut 'Dinner' Train Rides At Essex
May 20, 26 11:55 AM
Connecticut's rail heritage can be traced back to the industry's earliest days and a few organizations preserve this rich history by offering train rides. The Essex Steam Train also hosts dinner-theme… -
Arkansas 'Dinner 'Train Rides On The A&M
May 20, 26 11:54 AM
If you want a railroad experience that feels equal parts “working short line” and “time machine,” the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad delivers in a way few modern operations can. -
Illinois 'Dinner' Train Rides At The MRM
May 20, 26 11:52 AM
The Monticello Railway Museum (MRM) is one of those places that quietly does a lot: it preserves a sizable collection, maintains its own operating railroad, and—most importantly for visitors—puts hist…
