A walk in Gordon PA.

Hello everyone. Recently we rode a Reading and Northern railroad excursion to Mt Carmel PA. Along the trip we passed through the borough of Gordon PA. What I didn't realize is that there was once a train station and freight depot right where we were walking. We start with a look at a culvert that most likely has original construction materials dating back to the late 1840s early 1850s. The stone and possibly brick were layed by the Mine Hill and Schuylkill Haven railroad. They were expanding into to the north and west of Schuylkill County at this time. The Philadelphia and Reading would lease this railroad in 1862.
What I didn't realize is that there was once a station and depot right here. My car is parked where the freight depot sat. You can also see some of the Reading style railing in the thumbnail that we examine. The water tower remains are the star of the show. Thank you for watching. 5/25/24

[@darrellborland119]

Very nice. Thanks, from Darrell, an "Original Transcon RR" enthusiast.

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

Thank you kindly Darrell.

[@John-cj7et]

Great video. Back in the mid 1990s, RBMN ran a special trip from Port Clinton to Mt Carmel. It was a working freight that they tacked a passenger coach to. We got off at the places they switched freight and saw the crew in action. At each stop they explained to us what they were doing. On the way back from Mt Carmel we stopped in Gordon for ice cream. This was the best excursion I have been on.

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

Good evening John. That sounds like an incredible opportunity. I'm not certain who all gets service anymore along this line, however there is a truss building company that receives center beam cars of lumber. They are in Gordon not far from this location. I believe they receive this freight via the Shamokin Valley railroad who in turn gets the freight from Norfolk Southern in Sunbury.

[@burtont3773]

Really like the water tower base and the ornate railings. Thanks for showing.

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

Thank you very much Burton. The railings are a conundrum. I'm really not sure which railroad installed them.

[@jennsylvania1633]

"Sometimes hunger makes you do strange things"...lol...I think hunger makes you create awesome videos! Another informative and interesting exploration. 😁👍

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

Good morning Jenn. I can't believe I skipped this location to eat lunch lol. Oh well, it worked out okay. It was better to have the location to my self the other day. Thank you for the kind words and be safe out there Jenn.

[@stevebush6048]

Good stuff. Nice stonework! Excellent videos Kevin.

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

Thank you kindly Steve.

[@electrictractiontrainsandt3063]

Hello Kevin. Awesome adventure and nice finds! That culvert is so cool with the brick, stone and concrete!

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

Good morning Dave. Definitely the hodgepodge of construction materials for this one. The brick is a head scratcher. Wondering if it was used for stability at a later time or part of the original construction?

[@samuelt5131]

Another great one!

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

Thank you Samuel 😊

[@FireLarry]

Great history lesson and interesting video Kevin 👍

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

Thank you Larry.

[@robertboissey2758]

What a cool bridge

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

Absolutely Robert!! Thanks

[@808TheDuck]

Very cool! Love these videos.

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

Thank you Charles!

[@nickmad887]

Thank you Kevin.

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

You bet Nick.

[@johnnicoline7632]

Very cool spot, double trackage, brick stone & concrete, those railings were neat man, the big posts, very unique.

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

Thank you John. Railings are not like any I've seen before on a bridge. I wonder in Conrail or reading and Northern recycled them from somewhere else 🤔

[@johnnicoline7632]

@@kevinsalsbury2118 yeah same, they were cool as hell buddy.

[@lostrailbeds8289]

Oh Man Kevin...great video! The bridge is certainly a hodge-podge of building materials. Food made ya miss your shots!! Haha....I usually bring my lunch, snacks, dinner, etc. Sometimes Mr. Terry steals it,......but that's ok too! Enjoyed this adventure. Love that water tower stone base!

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

Thank you Russ. I have a membership with the Reading railroad historical museum in Hamburg PA. With this membership we get a newsletter every month. One of the newsletters had an old picture of the tower still in its former glory. What a cool spot!! Definitely bummed that I missed the shot but man was lunch good. I had a feeling Mr Terry might be pilfering some of those Stewart's shops delicacies. Better keep an eye on that guy. Have a great weekend Russ.

[@lostrailbeds8289]

@@kevinsalsbury2118 Haha! You as well!

[@kashifzia9005]

❤❤❤

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

Good morning Kashif. Thank you and have a wonderful day 😊

[@MountaineerFPV]

Gordon is a cool lil town. Minus the big prison up on the Mountain

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

I can't believe how many there are along the mountain top. One federal and two state. All within about 20 miles of each other. I had to think about that when I was up near 81 the other week. I would hate to be acussed of trespassing on prison property 😆🤣

[@MillersRailfan]

Maybe we should relocate it to your hometown

[@MillersRailfan]

This is so interesting to see all three materials in this culvert!!!!!

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

The brick was the surprise guest at this one.

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

Would love to have that water tower here in Emmaus.

[@michaelbereschak9495]

Now THAT water should be orange

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

You are not wrong about that Michael. It always makes me happy to see some clean water up this way.

[@michaelbereschak9495]

@@kevinsalsbury2118 You should try swimming in water like that. You get instant feedback should you have any open wounds.

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

I will take your word for it 😆

[@debd.traveler1967]

So is your historic photo of the depots date back to the original Mine Hill & Schuylkill Haven Railroad? Cool history!

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

Thank you Deb! I bummed I didn't know about the stations before I made the video. Oh well. To answer your question. The picture is of the Reading company station and depot. However according to the Schuylkill County train stations website there was a Mine Hill and Schuylkill Haven station here at one time. Not sure if the one of the buildings in the photo is originally that station or if the Reading built their own. Good question!