Nesquehoning, PA

I will be visiting the Lehigh Gorge in mid-October. I am wondering if there are any good photo spots where I may be able to photograph the R&N passing through Nesquehoning?

Also, tracks aside, are there any remnants of the CNJ, such as a station or any other structures left? Any information would be appreciated!

The CNJ's Mauck Chunk passenger station in Jim Thorpe still exists, and the tunnel North of there in Glen Onoko, with some rail still under the rock fall. However, I think that Nesquehoning is on the CNJ's Nesquehoning branch, West of the Lehigh River.

Is the tunnel on CNJ just W of Nesquehoning under the mountain to Lansford still there. or visible? Also, the tunnel a bit further west at Mahanoy?

Lotsa good railroading history out that way around Delano.

What's still left?

JimBoylan wrote:However, I think that Nesquehoning is on the CNJ's Nesquehoning branch, West of the Lehigh River.

Yes, that is the area I am referring to. I know that is how the R&N gets to/from Jim Thorpe and Port Clinton.

Here's what I saw on the CNJ main to Scranton from October 2005 while walking in the Lehigh Gorge park. We did some exploring on Saturday, getting some ideas for photo spots for our return on Sunday. (My wife's suggestion as the weather on Sunday was better than Saturday's weather). We walked inside the old CNJ tunnel at Glen Onoko. The two rows of ties are still in play as are many spike plates. From inside the tunnel, I snapped this photograph of the bridge supports as the bridge crossed the Lehigh River.

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1500529 ... 4438QPdhhC

Outside of the tunnel, some of the rail still lies where it was dropped when the tracks were removed.

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1500529 ... 4438jQFaGQ

A view of the tunnel from the bridge leading to the parking area.

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1500529 ... 4438JWUdRv

On Sunday, we rode the first train, which was very crowded before photographing the others. Part of my focus was seeing what else may remain from the CNJ. We took a short walk, but wasn't disappointed. First, we saw an old CNJ signal stand.

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1500524 ... 4438jdqOgV

Next, were four concrete bases. Not sure what hey were for, (gas heaters for switches?) as we weren't to far from the other signal.

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1500527 ... 4438utHOlO

Last, but certainly not least, was this old mile marker.

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1500529 ... 4438KlFDEa

We walked up to the current R&N/NS signal before walking back.

CarterB wrote:Is the tunnel on CNJ just W of Nesquehoning under the mountain to Lansford still there. or visible? Also, the tunnel a bit further west at Mahanoy? What's still left?

Lansford-Hauto tunnel is Lehigh & New England, I don't know if CNJ took it over after 1962. ConRail did not take it in 1976. Mahanoy City tunnel at the former end of the Nesquehoning branch is ex-Reading Company, Reading & Northern has it now, they bought it from ConRail. Double tracking of both bores is only partially completed, both tunnels intersect coal mines.
Sorry, I don't know what besides track remains on the Nesquehoning branch of the CNJ in Nesquhoning, Pa.

Jim, the 1893 topo map shows the Hauto/Lansford tunnel as being CNJ with the Lansford end only being a spur that ran ENE/WSW a bit to the east and then to the west, down along Panther Creek to the east bank of the l'il schuylkill river across from Tamaqua.

Is there anything left of this visible?

I definitely don't mind doing some exploring of the area. In the event the R&N is running a train through, are there any good photo spots in town?

CarterB, the part of the Lehigh & New England from the Lansford end of the tunnel to Tamaqua should still be under the weeds. Reading & Northern uses some of the Tamaqua end.
The 1893 map might have been before the L&NE built over the mountains from Bethlehem and Lehigh Gap in the South to Tamaqua and a connection with the track on the map.