1954 Lehigh Valley railroad station/depot. Tunkhannock PA

Hello everyone. In this video we take a look at the former Lehigh Valley railroad station/depot in Tunkhannock PA. When I first recorded this video I was not sure exactly what we were looking at so I apologize for the lack of information. This station was built in 1954 to replace the original station that sat in the same location. The new station had a paved platform for passengers to get on and off the train on the south side of the station. On the north side there was a bay door for boxcars and a truck door on the east side of the building.
Some interesting history I've discovered is that the original station used to serve the Montrose railroad as well. I'm just learning about the Montrose railroad however I do know it started out as a narrow gauge railroad and was absorbed by the Lehigh Valley railroad in the late 1880's early 1890's. It was converted to standard gauge in 1903. I'm still learning about this merger but it appears the Montrose railroad became the Montrose branch of the Lehigh Valley railroad. This line was abandoned in 1976 with the creation of Conrail. The original station serviced the Montrose railroad on the north side and the Lehigh Valley on the south side.
I've come across some interesting pictures of the station area. I will post those in the community section. Thank you for watching and have a great day! Recorded 11/25/23

[@johnalder6028]

Fascinating video. Well done. Explore and discover!

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

Thank you John!!

[@MillersRailfan]

Excellent video; Kevin!!!!

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

Thank you Steve!!!

[@johnnicoline7632]

Another great Vid. Thanks Kevin.

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

Thank you John!!

[@brianfalzon6739]

Would be awesome to see it restored one day.

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

That would be great Brian. I'm hoping to get a picture of 2102 in front of it later this year when Reading and Northern run her up there.

[@brianfalzon6739]

@@kevinsalsbury2118 good luck with that

[@nickmad887]

Thank you.

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

Cool spot. Reading and Northern is running their steam engine 2102 up there this summer. I'll be there for sure!

[@Alco16-251F]

Excellent video! I have been up that way lots of times to catch trains, but I haven’t got an actual chance to look at the depot yet. Thanks so much. And also, that track right there is in pretty rough condition and it needs to be fixed. My grandfather and I have discovered several defects with this line when we first walked it. but that is the Lehigh Valley Montrose branch for the actual track.

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

Thank you Joe. I was up to ride the Reading and Northern Christmas train. Lot of great Lehigh Valley remains up there. I'd like to get up again to look for more.

[@MissRailfan]

WHAT!!! IDK it was still standing! I was just up that way around sept and didnt think it was up after all these yrs.

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

Yes indeed. I was in the area for the Reading and Northern Santa trains. It was my first time in Tunkhannock. I was pretty thrilled when I saw the station. I like unearthing LVRR history any chance I get.

[@samuelt5131]

Another interesting video. 👍👍 A bit unusual for the railroad company to leave a building like that. Most of them get demolished pretty quick because the railroads have to pay property taxes on them.

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

Good evening Samuel. I'm surprised it is still around myself. Possibly the Reading and Northern have plans to restore it one day. They are running an excursion up there this summer. Perhaps if it goes well it will provide a spark to fix it up.

[@brianfalzon6739]

​@@kevinsalsbury2118 that would be awesome.

[@keithbednar6814]

There was a yard behind the station where the highway runs. It was indeed the passenger and freight house for the LVRR. The yard also was the start of the Montrose Branch. There was much activity there at one time. This station replaced an old wood frame station that was in bad shape..

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

Hi Keith. I saw some pictures of this location from years ago and it is unbelievable how much it has changed. I have seen that some of the Montrose branch is now the Iroquois trail in Tunkhannock. I would like to check that out. So much to see up there.

[@1940limited]

Sure would be nice to see what it was like when in service.

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

Absolutely

[@ocsrc]

I bet that switch box was for displaying the track occupancy and signals and throwing the switches

[@MillersRailfan]

This place was vandalized decades ago Kevin Today; kids can’t get up from their TV’s or cell phones

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

Probably in the 90s. Never understood the point of smashing other people's stuff. I had acquaintances like that in high school.

[@MillersRailfan]

@@kevinsalsbury2118 yup I knew about them too Came from fucked up families sprinkled with a little bit of drug use and a lot of booze

[@MillersRailfan]

Buddy I have some advice for you If you tell the cop that you are documenting the area for railfans, he/she will probably let you do that In my experience; cops consider what you and I are doing carefully; and most of them consider us ONE OF THEM And it helps GREATLY if they know that you are being honest and transparent

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

That is sound advice Steve and I will use it going forward. Thank you!!

[@GeorgeHyland]

Yes, I agree Kevin that it is not respectful to trespass into a historical building, especially given how much vandalism occurs. But as far as walking around and documenting, the officer probably would have been cool with that. It does not hurt to ask. Might be good to carry donuts and coffee with you!!

[@ocsrc]

It looks like there was a VHF antenna on the back side

[@ocsrc]

That looks like the House Trap U pipe cleanouts in the concrete hole