Abandoned Train Station - Lackawanna Cutoff - Alford Pa

[@tuffywarner586]

I love your video, I'm a train buff myself. I live in Northern Va. where my town has a part of the Washington and Old Diminion rail line that runs from Bluemont, Va. to Washington, DC. about 53 miles. It operated as a short line railroad from the 1800's to 1968. I really enjoy observing abandoned rail lines and structures like you had in your video. Surprisingly many of the old rail way passenger/freight stations on the W & OD are still intact. In your video, it looks like their probably was a 2nd rail line that would run along side the passenger station. That kind of stuff makes me think of all the people and trains that stopped there back in the stations hey day. Good Stuff. Now today the W & OD is a public bike trail. Even today riding a bicycle on the trail makes me think how it was to ride the trains before we had all these highways and roads which help end the days of the W & OD. In Bluemont Va, the passenger station there burned down also back in the early 1900's. All that's left in the concrete grain bin that is still standing today. If you know where to look, much of the railroad bed is still there. Keep on videoing, good stuff

[@JPVideos81]

Correct. I did state there was two main lines and a spur line.

[@michaelball3345]

That switch tower is so awesome!! I wish I had a boat load of money, I’d fix it up and make it my home!!! Thanks for the video.

[@gradyj3827]

Its sad to see vandals always smashing and painting up old structures...

[@CANControlGRAFFITI]

Some places look good with graffiti. This is some of the worst I’ve seen. All children with their dads spray cans

[@segaprophet]

lowlifes

[@Al_Dente-d1p]

I wish I could personally spend 4 minutes with each of the LIFE LOSERS who sprayed that shit. Just 4 minutes. They'd never walk again.

[@snitchdog8447]

Your mother is sad

[@Al_Dente-d1p]

@@snitchdog8447 quiet before I find you

[@Chatty-Cathy823]

My grandfather was a telegrapher for DRGW in Colorado. Met my grandmother at a mail stop and pump house in Colorado. Such memories! Thank you for sharing these! Please don't stop...

[@hootinouts]

The architecture of that control tower is awesome. It appears that most of the features were cast in place out of concrete. The arched doorways and windows and the corbels supporting the roof overhang. Just incredible. So sad to see this all abandoned, and all that wretched graffiti to add insult to injury. Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@timtraver7152]

The switch tower also controlled the "Montrose Branch", which is a bit north of this site. It cuts up the hillside on the left and goes all the way to Montrose, PA, passing Heart Lake where there was a tiny station. This is now a Rail Trail and is a great walk, albeit long.

[@kevinweber7518]

My father first set foot on PA soil at Alford Station sometime around 1925. During the later 1920s and 1930s my grandmother and father would walk from our farm to meet the Montrose Branch train at Heart Lake, then switch trains at Alford Station to continue on to NYC or to visit family on Long Island. Sure can't travel like this today. Sad to hear these buildings may be torn down soon. Few people remember the significant role the Alford train station played for moving people and freight in this part of the country.

[@JPVideos81]

Wow thats awesome info. Thanks for sharing

[@erinbricker-urbanhistorian5803]

Wow!

[@TheMountainbobcat]

there were tracks laid all over ny, Columbia county, dutchess, Putnam, during the war they pulled the majority up, but what a wonderful ride it must have been, all through back woods country side. What a nice way to commute, and maybe less pollution, where I live, the train would have gone through just on the other side of the hill, I swear I hear a train whistle certains times of the year.

[@sassafraspaul7528]

Interesting. Thanks for adding additional information.

[@sassafraspaul7528]

@@TheMountainbobcat That's cool!!

[@P0V3RTY09]

In the signal tower ( or Block Tower), those switch levers are known as Strong Arm Levers. They got their name due to how difficult it was to throw those steel rod and linkage controlled switches. Later, the steel rods and linkage were eventually replaced in modern railroads to be operated electronically. I am a 25 year veteran Block Operator and it was nostalgic to see this. Thanks for posting.

[@eriktred]

P0V3RTY09 thank you for the additional history!

[@blusnuby2]

Like Strong Arm Lever action ? Watch THE TRAIN, with Burt Lancaster !

[@coolhanddruid]

Those signal towers are so awesome. I can just picture one restored into a home, a warm glow of light through the windows on a winter night. That just hurts the soul that something so beautiful and historic will be let to decay. I purchased an old abandoned school that I explored one day, working hard to turn it into a home. It was actually in a book about basketball courts. Sometimes I find it hard to watch videos like this, because I want to save them all.

[@JPVideos81]

I agree with you. Sadly not everything can be or should be saved. In this case, these towers should.

[@laceyryan7751]

Hi JP! I want to thank Josh, Victoria and yourself for another enjoyable look into the past. It's just too bad that these beautiful old buildings couldn't be repurposed. They're part of who we are and represent some of the heritage that is America.

[@JPVideos81]

You're welcome

[@ellenherstead1343]

Thank you Josh, Victoria and Jay. These are beautiful buildings.

[@1940limited]

There are many switch towers like these all along the line between Slateford Jct. and Binghamton. They all used concrete construction and were built to last. It's amazing the railroad was once busy enough to have so many towers, manned and operating. The Montrose Branch, that left the main at Alford, was controlled by the first tower you explored. I'm not sure what the second one did, but it looks as if it was a busy place at one time There's virtually no pictures of the Montrose Branch. I think it was abandoned back in the 40s. Alford has badly deteriorated over the years. It's a shame to tear it down. I wish they could be restored as have many of the stations east of Scranton.

[@pamcastiron4274]

I recently stated watching abandoned house etc. videos. I have found your videos to be the best out there. I like the history you include. I also can tell you truly care about these places and the lives of those who lived there. It makes me sad to think about what caused people to just walk away. We had an abandoned house on our property that we had to clean out and tear down. Found out the owners only child died while giving birth to her child. The owners moved after that and left everything behind. So sad, and that house gave off a sad vibe

[@erinbricker-urbanhistorian5803]

Pam Van Horn 👍

[@JPVideos81]

Thank you pam

[@buddy8225]

It’s nice to see remnants of old railroad buildings. The town I live in was once part of the Rock Island. Not much is left from those days.

[@cartdauria6538]

Born and raised in Port Morris New Jersey the railroad was my stomping grounds. The Roseville tunnel was one of my all-time favorite places to hang out and the soot mark on the ceiling of the tunnel always amazed me and could only imagine how many steam engines went through it. I am very lucky and very proud to own the almost in perfect condition headlight off of steam engine #1116 from the port Morris yard. Built in 1922 and retired in 1953 the 462 Erie Lackawanna passenger train was Russell Lawrence of Port Morris favorite steam engine and was the engineer of #1116. when the train was retired he wanted to keep the headlight as a remembrance of the steam engine. I can only imagine how many times the headlight that I have has been through the Roseville tunnel and so proud to own a piece of history like this. I'm always looking for pictures of this steam engine and also have lots of other photos to share of the Erie Lackawanna, Port Morris and the surrounding areas if anyone is interested and will share for free because sometimes it's not always about money.

[@Nicole-kq7rm]

In Pennsylvania so many abandoned railway have been made into trails , to walk ,ride etc. Love the stills and history you added to this, we have abandoned coke ovens , furnaces and tunnels along the way.

[@JPVideos81]

Yeah, we have a heritage trail nearby thats a former rail line. Goes from taylor to carbondale pa.

[@flyingeaglewoman8682]

Thanks Josh for all the research, appreciate it!

[@furryblue6377]

I do love that you take the time to learn and share the history and background of your explorations. I'm an historical documentary lover so your videos keep my attention right to the end!

[@JPVideos81]

Glad to hear that. If it wasn't for the history, these locations wouldn't exist or be worth sharing.

[@delanaforsythzakrzewski7416]

Yesterday, we thought about doing God's will. Today, we think about building up ourselves in faith. What are the ways that we can build ourselves up in? For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it." Faith? I had to give some thought about how I try to do this. The first thing that came to mind is prayer. My grandmother told me that God waited at the end of each day for me to talk to him and tell him about my day. This habit is one that has lasted for over 70 years. I didn't even realize that this was prayer until when I was older! Such experience gives me time to reflect on my day, give thanks for the good things, thanks for getting me through the difficult ones and asking for help both for myself and my friends and family. I usually end with a formal prayer and then remember the other things and people I need to pray for. I find comfort and inspiration in my church community. After all, the word "church" originally meant the gathering of the people, not a building. Reflecting on Scripture brings me closer to the Father as well as to Jesus. How can we follow Jesus if we don't know what he did and said? Studying the Bible with others gives me insights that I might never have seen. So, I guess that prayer, reflecting on Scripture, both alone and with others, and immersing myself in the Christian community are the ways that I try to build up myself in this holy faith with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. What are your ways?

[@makeminefreedom]

I love history. When these structures are gone your videos will still be a record of their existence. Thanks for taking the time to save a piece of history.

[@JPVideos81]

Thats the reason for making them. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@matthewmartino5810]

Great video, as usual, but this is not the Lackawanna cutoff. The lackawanna cutoff was a 29 mile section of track that ran from port Morris, NJ to Slateford, pa (near the Del. Water gap). This is the summit-Hallstead cutoff aka. Nicholson cutoff. All the the phots at the beginning are of Lackawanna cutoff in NJ.

[@1940limited]

That's correct. the mainline in PA was extensively rebuild and upgraded after completion of the Cut Off in NJ. It's all a marvel of engineering. It's nice some people are around who have an interest in this stuff.

[@richardpehtown2412]

Engineering-wise, the Lackawanna Cutoff was the Space Shuttle grade accomplishment of the early 1800's. When can we expect a Paulinskill Viaduct video? Hope you follow the cutoff East to its termination, then feature sites along the Morris Canal, which it effectively replaced when the cutoff began shipping coal, iron, and passengers

[@1575murray]

Both cutoff projects made extensive use of reinforced concrete structures for which the DL&W was a pioneer.

[@ghostcityshelton9378]

Time marches on. Last time I saw a video on that place there were old but neat metal benches by the doors, guess someone made off with them. Really liked the music as well. Go inside and get warm!!! My mother would kid around and sat,"Listen to your mother....Come in and get warmed up!" We'd stay out till we were blue from making a snowman family. Same thing with swimming in the ocean. The cold water never bothered me. The water hole (lake, Upstate, N.Y.) was cold even in the summer.

[@JPVideos81]

You dont seem to notice the elements when you're enjoying yourself.

[@erinbricker-urbanhistorian5803]

And have hot cocoa and or hot home made soup! :)

[@joeschlotthauer840]

Absolutely incredible architecture, shame they can't be moved into town and joined together for a beerhaus or restaurant...

[@poopjeans1135]

Why would they when they're planning to reopen passenger service along that route from the NJ side. As far as I know, the plan is to reuse the old D,L&W structures as much as possible.

[@lanielorah8021]

Hay hope thay 0pen up the line.

[@lynne6495]

These buildings are amazing. The history of the buildings and the railroads was very interesting. Thanks for sharing everything about the station.

[@nathanpitts1591]

Nice job capturing another bit of RR history. I enjoy looking these up on maps and learning more about the country in my ongoing history lesson. Those towers were built in areas where several rail lines, or tracks, came together. Track switches had to be thrown in order to line up the route for an approaching trains. They had hand operated mechanisms with levers in the upper floor of the building. These levers moved by hand an through a system of rods actually moved the switch points some distance away. The mechanism was designed so when one route was chosen others would be "locked out" so no accidents could happen. These towers were often called "interlockings" for that reason. Eventually electricity was used to throw the track switches and the job of towerman became easier. Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) systems took over eventually and one man could control movements on many many miles of track. It is amazing that these two survived as long as they could. Much is made about the use of reinforced concrete in these buildings. The Erie Lackawanna RR pioneered that kind of construction in RR bridges and other buildings and is famed for it. In 1915 they built the half mile long concrete Tunkhannock viaduct, the largest structure of that type in the world at that time. As a testimony to it's design that viaduct is still in railroad service today. www.asce.org/about-civil-engineering/history-and-heritage/historic-landmarks/tunkhannock-viaduct Thanks for a great video.

[@JPVideos81]

I also did a video on the Viaduct

[@pmlugo3599]

Really liked this. My dad worked years for Western Pacific, And he started in a little town in Utah. Wendover Utah. Tiny train station. But after they transferred him they tore down that station. I was really young so not sure how long it was there. But it is gone now. And so is my dad. this brought back some good memories. :)

[@JPVideos81]

So glad to hear this brought back some good memories.

[@erinbricker-urbanhistorian5803]

Awesome!

[@daleslover2771]

Sara DeAnne Love Sarah Very interesting, I worked in Wendover from 1996 to 2000 worked engineering at the casinos, One of the casinos that was closed down. We stored all of our, vintage slot machines and poker tables, I'm pretty sure the casino was called the Golden Nugget which you could walk through the front entrance, of the casino then walk out the back entrance of it, walk 300 to 400 ft across over to the railroad tracks and you're in Utah, as far as the police can pursue you. If I remember right that quite a few unsavory Rascals, used that casino as Escape Route to avoid the police, Feds, I believe this was during the prohibition era, That railroad track is right on the state line. Just a little tidbit of information🙂

[@pmlugo3599]

Yeah We left around 1986 , I went to Wendover high. When it was brand new :) And went from 4th-9th grade on the Wendover side. Is A & J store still there? I am planning a trip out there this spring. Before my husband and I go to Louisiana :D

[@pmlugo3599]

I meant 1977

[@flyingeaglewoman8682]

Beautiful brickwork on the station.

[@lindaberg9960]

Thank you for adding link to first explore! Really appreciate your history work and seeing second switching station! That nasty graffiti detracts so much from such historically significant sites!

[@JPVideos81]

You're welcome

[@mikebaldwin9972]

My grandfather was a switchman and telegraph operator for the SF/MP at one of the last towers on the line.He retired in 1962 and the tower and switch system was then converted into electricity control switches . I remember watching him send and receive messages and using notes on “y poles “ to relay to the train crew.Lot’s of GREAT MEMORIES of my younger days....

[@rj78productions88]

Awesome, awesome, awesome. Great find. The snow definitely ads to the awesomeness. Gotta keep this history alive as best we can before it's long gone and forgotten.

[@JPVideos81]

Exactly

[@erinbricker-urbanhistorian5803]

Agreed R.J. :)

[@bethshadid2087]

Loved the little church 💒. Great explore and history lesson 👋. Shame they have to tear down history, so cool seeing nature reclaims, but understand. Thanks for before and after pics 🙌. Thanks to Josh for the peeks in basement of watch tower and station 🤗. Be safe, be blessed 💒🤴🌬️🌈💞

[@christinevangilder6962]

I am a big fan of your videos dipicting old railroad stations, signal towers & the like! ❤ I come from a long line of railroad workers on my fathers side of the family, starting in southern New Jersey in Cumberland Co. My grandfather was an agent yardmaster for Penns. railroad, and the West Jersey & Southern Seashore Line. My father also worked for Penns railroad, and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen & Engineermen. Later in his years he was a locomotive engineer for Winchester & Western, and Conrail. My father briefly lived in Chestnut Hill Penns. So.....I love the videos of the old mode of transportation! 🚂🚂 Thank you so much, Jay, Josh and Victoria! Great footage and wonderful information on this one!! Big thumbs up!! 👍👍❤🚂

[@JPVideos81]

Thanks so much for the awesome comment.

[@karenfarmer6309]

Simply amazing! Thankyou Josh, what a great find!! As always a super video JP, love the pics and the story!! Stay safe, 🥂

[@JPVideos81]

Happy you enjoyed it

[@Jason1Pa]

I never dreamed the signal tower would of been so elaborate!! That's awesome!

[@jeneanefloyd4234]

Your work is appreciated keep history alive.

[@JPVideos81]

Thank you

[@erinbricker-urbanhistorian5803]

I agree Jeneane Floyd!

[@topherloverjones8449]

Awesome video!!! The music was great as well!!! Thanks for the info! Take care, guys. Until next time!!! 🙋😄😄😄💙💙💙

[@amyd5093]

Great introduction! Great to see its history and photos when it was in full swing! Thanks for sharing Josh! And of Course, JPVideos!

[@neva_nyx]

Great video! Thank you for going over the architecture, the best part of all the buildings of those days.

[@darlenegood4101]

way cool that Josh's family was a part of this. thanks Josh.

[@NorCalExplorer-JS]

It is a shame to have historical building torn down when they can be restored and made a tourist stop. Thank you for this video documenting these old structures.

[@gingermatthews8415]

Love the video. I just wished that places like this were took better care of. Places like this are a part of history.

[@JPVideos81]

I agree 100%. Atleast its documented before its gone.

[@erinbricker-urbanhistorian5803]

I agree!

[@mrbriggs68]

Can't save everything old

[@quagmiredavis4117]

@@mrbriggs68 hey watch it... I'm old and worth saving .... just some flexseal ... bondo .. and I'm good .. I'll get around to it someday LOL

[@kathleenhart4939]

Definitely a great video!!! Loved it!!! I've got 2 of the station to station phones that I've refurbished and yeah, the one tower would phone others on the line and tell them which switches to throw for whatever trains were scheduled to go through....you did a great job with history and filming!!! Love railroad memorabilia!!!

[@JPVideos81]

Thanks for sharing kathleen

[@erinbricker-urbanhistorian5803]

:)

[@TheSlickch02]

I grew up In the Lehigh valley area of Pennsylvania. These little gems were everywhere. Great find

[@LackawannaChannel]

Thanks for the video and here is some added information. 1. The Lackawanna RR did not declare bankruptcy in 1955. They did lose money during the floods in the 1950’s. They merged with the Erie Railroad in 1960 and became part of Conrail in 1976. 2. The station and tower are on railroad property. They serve no purpose now and are very difficult to use due to the location. While in theory you can move any building, these would be incredibly expensive to move. The Lackawanna had many concrete towers and one has been saved and restored at Steamtown. They give tours on special occasions. 3. As noted by many, the tower operator moved the levers on the second floor. An interlocking machine on the first floor, prevented him from routing two trains on the same track. Then rods from the machine moved the switches and signals. In the winter time a maintainer would keep the rods clear of snow and he would lubricate them. They had many towers, because mechanical means are only good over short distances.

[@JPVideos81]

Thank you for watching and sharing

[@patigiddens1314]

I love trains. Great way to travel! I love that you put in the history thank you!!!!!

[@JPVideos81]

You're welcome

[@kevinlynch1227]

Great video!!!!!!!!! I live right near the Lackawanna cutoff in the mountains of Northern New Jersey. I often walk sections of it... through the Roseville tunnel, over the Pequest fill, over the Paulinskill Viaduct, and over the Delaware River Viaduct. It is a great part of history and some of it is coming back to Andover New Jersey. They are currently rebuilding the line but not yet all the way to Pennsylvania. When the Paulinskill Viaduct was first finished it was the biggest concrete structure in the world and was considered a Marvel. It is located in the town of Haynesville New Jersey. Soon after... they built the Nicholson River Viaduct (Tunkhannock Viaduct) in Pennsylvania. The Nicholson Viaduct looks, and this built very similar but was even taller and longer than the Paulinskill Vaduct. Your pictures are beautiful but I believe you are actually on the Nicholson Cut Off, which still has an active freight line and continuous over the Nicholson Viaduct. I have never walked that one so thanks for the video and showing all the really cool old structures. Much appreciated!

[@photolife39]

would be awesome to make a personal house into one of the switch buildings. great video.

[@JPVideos81]

I agree

[@erinbricker-urbanhistorian5803]

It would be pretty cool to make a house out of it.

[@1940limited]

Yes, and you could watch trains go by, too, from the second floor. I could go for that. I jut realized you were talking about the station. I meant the tower. Maybe that could be a house, too, but a small one.

[@17luckynumbers]

I'd love to live in that old place! Those high ceilings, so much you can do with the layout!

[@17luckynumbers]

@Jane Marsee the trains don't run those tracks anymore. I grew up very close to train tracks, you get used to it after awhile. When I moved to the country my ears rung at night because it was so quiet! Now I wouldn't want to be anywhere else! 😴

[@pamelanoel8948]

They would make some awesome living structures. Love the architecture.

[@lynnstevenson5871]

WOW!!!! Beautiful!!!!!! I'll admit that I just love anything dealing with history!!!!!!

[@JPVideos81]

As do i.

[@erinbricker-urbanhistorian5803]

Same here Lynn!

[@SaltyNationalist]

A piece of history for sure. Sad it's in such disrepair.

[@cwb0051]

God Bless ALL The Hard Working Railroad Workers!

[@kathrinekerns8398]

Wow just wow, that is so awsome. Love the architecture of this time period.

[@erinbricker-urbanhistorian5803]

Same here Kathrine!

[@AcuteSchizophrenia]

Thanks for the tour. I was last there in 1990. The station has certainly deteriorated a great deal since then. I have a few photos taken in the 1980's.

[@JPVideos81]

Very cool

[@taralewis2606]

Great video!! I love all things railroad. The train station and tower are really big. You can’t tell until you see someone standing right outside of them. They’re really beautiful too. Thanks for sharing with us. Stay safe!! 😊

[@JPVideos81]

Thanks tara

[@erinbricker-urbanhistorian5803]

Same here Tara!

[@awizardalso]

Thanks for taking some time to do this. I really like seeing things of railroad history. I've been a fan of railroads most of my life. I have fond memories of the New York Central. I lived in Brookpark Ohio from '59 to '65. There were two lines of the New York Central that came through Brookpark. One was pretty close to where I lived, and the other one passed by the Cleveland airport. Both lines came together in Berea and then split apart again. When we moved to Cleveland we were close to the line that ran by the airport. It was known as 'The Water Level Route'. It crossed the Cuyahoga River on a lift bridge real close to lake Erie. I'm glad I subscribed to your KZbin channel. It's not just railroad history I like but historical things of history overall.

[@JPVideos81]

Thanks for watching and subscribing

[@user-wm4je4ct8y]

Gorgeous unique buildings-- so sad they will be torn down. They don't make them like that anymore, with those amazing windows.

[@edgein3299]

The second tower looks to be in good shape. Could be renovated into a neat little home.

[@micheleadrianson567]

Thank you all for the wonderful video. Very interesting.

[@user-David-Alan]

Beautiful old buildings. It's a shame they are in disrepair. Thanks for the history.

[@edithdavis2848]

Good. More train stuff. Need a drone to fly in there and look around. The signal tower. Another great video. Thank you

[@1940limited]

Maybe a drone could be flown into a second story window. That would be neat.

[@Caeser194]

I've climbed into the second story.Theres orange switches in there.

[@t.j.gallagher3355]

I Thought Of The Drone Cam Idea Too.

[@melissawo4672]

My 7 year old so loved this video hes a major train fanatic like his uncle any train video he can watch hes intrigued by it thanks for making a 7 year old boy happy plus I love watching all videos you post

[@JPVideos81]

Thanks melissa. You and your son have good taste 🙂

[@josephsize634]

Thank you for posting this, it brings back memories. As a child in the fifties, I rode passenger trains on the Lackawanna Cutoff from Scranton PA to Hoboken NJ First trains powered by steam locomotives, later by diesel. route 11 is locally known as Lackawanna Trail from Scranton PA to Kingsley PA.

[@josephsize634]

It's a amzieg

[@carolemerritt6671]

I love the “before & after” comparisons! Thanks Josh for your help with this, too!

[@RobinDeeter]

I'm from Bloomsburg, so seeing all of your videos from so close around here is just fantastic. It makes me nostalgic for a past I was never part of, but would've liked to have experienced. Thanks so much for such great explorations into bygone eras.

[@JPVideos81]

Ive filmed in buckhorn before and i film at knoebels a lot. If you havent done so, follow me on Facebook. www.fb.com/jpvideos81

[@RobinDeeter]

@@JPVideos81 That's so cool! Only a hop and a skip away. :) I'll do that.

[@caroleroseburgh1344]

THIS was a great video, I like that At the beginning how it explains what was what, and who had a hand in the construction of the building's on that site, I loved the Monopoly Man! The second switch tower was in very good condition, thank you JP for sharing this awesome place.☺

[@JPVideos81]

You're very welcome

[@leekresser8384]

I love railroad stories, especially the ones passed down from actial people who worked FOR the railroad.

[@adamtereska8734]

Great job on the video and thank you to Josh for informing you on these locations. Nicely done, Josh.

[@cafdnw]

Love the history!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Thanks guys for the great video and music!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@erinbricker-urbanhistorian5803]

Same here Cindy F.

[@EllicottCity1]

Seeing a notification totally made my evening ~ thanks!!

[@JPVideos81]

Awesome!

[@erinbricker-urbanhistorian5803]

Same here Ellicott! :)

[@rragona]

Excellent video! Also finally answers questions I've had for years (pertaining to the signal tower.) There's one alongside the tracks in Gouldsboro I explored/photographed a ton but never had a solid idea what it actually was. Now I know. ☺

[@JPVideos81]

Thanks for checking it out. Just wish i could of made it upstairs.

[@lorimacias4901]

I really enjoy and appreciate all your videos! Thank you!

[@erinbricker-urbanhistorian5803]

Lori Macias 👍

[@mvrooks]

thanks for making this. i appreciate all the background info you provided.

[@JPVideos81]

You're welcome

[@bigladjonnyboy397]

Another top explore thanks guys see you next time

[@Rjc8888]

Thanks. That was a very cool and amazing video. Great work and history about it. 😎👍👊

[@JPVideos81]

Ty

[@XoriRuscuv]

Been binging your videos the last few days. This one is by far one of my favs. (Also love the abandoned train tunnels!) Great work, I love this stuff. Stay safe \m/

[@JPVideos81]

Thanks so much for watching.

[@Thundecat4]

Okay, this is not the Lackawanna Cutoff. The Lackawanna Cutoff is in New Jersey only. This line has two names, Nicholson Cutoff and Sunbury Line. The name Sunbury Line is referred to as a rail line while the name Nicholson Cutoff is referred to as a piece of trackage that is part of the Sunbury Line. The Sunbury Line name is applied to the whole line, the line runs from Sunbury, Pa to Binghamton, NY. The name Nicholson Cutoff is applied to the Sunbury Line’s Clarks Summit, Pa to Hallstead, Pa trackage. The line is owned by Norfolk Southern and not the Reading and Northern, the Reading and Northern doesn’t even travel on this line. It was owned by Canadian Pacific/Delaware and Hudson before Norfolk Southern purchased the line. Great video and sad to hear the station and signal tower will be torn down. I would rather see both buildings be fixed up, but that will not happen.

[@JPVideos81]

Just what we found during research. Thanks for the info

[@mandajoh1203]

Love the retro architecture. Great history lesson.

[@JPVideos81]

Very cool towers.

[@craniostomy]

It's not "retro". It is Palladian.

[@harrier27]

Brings back a lot of memories. Grew up along the rail lines. Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@timothychack9276]

our 3yr old love the choo-choo...i love the history...great video JP

[@JPVideos81]

Thanks!

[@saraasylum]

(Sara's husband) Amazing history about the train station. Great find. The signal towers are cool. And it's cool that the road use to be the old railroad.

[@JPVideos81]

The things you learn while exploring abandoned places.

[@saraasylum]

@@JPVideos81 yeah. I have learned a lot about places from you. Thank you for what you do.

[@cathybrault5056]

Really enjoyed this video!!! A lot of information and history!!! Never knew how they threw the tracks back then, so thank-you for the info. Really interesting!!!

[@edithdavis2848]

Before the switch stations like this they use to do it from the ground.

[@cathybrault5056]

@@edithdavis2848 Wow, thanks for that info!

[@erinbricker-urbanhistorian5803]

Pretty cool Edith

[@rickashay6023]

Well done saving another piece of history before its gone.

[@WMAJ6]

Signal towers like those controlled switches and the respective signals protecting those switches. Dispatchers and other station agents would call stations down the line by telegraph to let them know that trains had passed their locations and which tracks to route them on. When a particular train was in that tower's territory a bell would ring to let the operator know and he would line the switches and signals correctly to allow faster trains to pass slower ones or for trains to meet and pass on parallel tracks. Everything was done manually in 1915 when these towers were built but that was state of the art at the time. Everything today is done on computer screens with dispatchers hundreds of miles away. Thanks for the great videos of these reminders of how things used to be.

[@JPVideos81]

Thanks for watching and commenting

[@barbara-pigeonbray4579]

Loved this video...So many elements to enjoy ; ' train passing by , great.background info, beautiful music with the photo montage ,lovely shots of the beautifully designed buildings in the snow. ( picture perfect sweet little church ) ... Glad Josh shared this site with you . Fun way to spend a Friday nite..Thanks Jay

[@JPVideos81]

Thanks again barb.

[@lynnlopez3274]

Beautiful. I was fortunate to travel Erie Lackawanna and love the architecture!

[@erinbricker-urbanhistorian5803]

That's awesome Lynn!

[@lynnlopez3274]

@@erinbricker-urbanhistorian5803 The Hoboken Terminal was beautiful. And an added perk was getting there via the ferry. I was heading to Erie to take care of my cousin a newborn.

[@debsmith9819]

Thanks Josh!!! Awesome find!!! Love the signal towers!!!

[@susansatkowski3713]

I am new to your videos and I love them. I felt like I could trust that you are genuine from the first video that I watched. You talk about the places like you're talking to me. Thanks a lot. I look forward to a lot more videos from you in the future. Sue S

[@JPVideos81]

Thanks so much susan. My goal is to make you feel like you're there with me.

[@erinbricker-urbanhistorian5803]

:) Agreed susan!

[@nadinechandler8898]

Nice video...interesting info and before and after photos thanks

[@oldenweery7510]

Railroads had a definite style about them, especially with brick/masonry structures. The Lackawanna liked tile roofs, as can be better seen in the earlier photos, and the concrete details around the windows and doors added a good deal to the decor. (My thought, when the clear basement was revealed, was, "Oh, how convenient, a pool in the basement; skating rink now!") The second structure is an "interlocking tower." The levers upstairs were connected to a vertical "interlocking machine," a series of sliding vertical bars with horizontal locking bars running across them. The "lever man" would select the route through the interlocking switchwork by pulling levers, which operated the track switches and signals via pipes running through roller stanchions, but the interlocking machine wouldn't allow him to change any setting that would interfere with traffic and cause accidents. In later years, the exterior piping was often replaced with either electric or pneumatic control. "Model Railroader" magazine had a series on designing and building an interlocking for a model railroad, back in the early 1960s, and it was about as complicated as designing an electronic circuit. If I'd ever have needed interlocking on a model railroad, I would've FAKED the darn thing! (BTW, all movement over railroads was under control of the Dispatcher, sitting in an office many miles away, communicating by telegraph in the olden days, and later by telephone. The Towermasters and Stationmasters along the route would would pass along any changes in the train's operation to the Engineer in the cab and the Conductor in the caboose of a freight train or the open door of a passenger car of a passenger train.)

[@JPVideos81]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing.

[@CherryBerry48]

aww great picx of the scenery and train station, great job getting the shots!!

[@JPVideos81]

Thanks cherry

[@lindagibson9528]

So awesome! Loved the history on it. Thanks Josh!

[@keeleygeraghty2353]

I love the waterfall!

[@JPVideos81]

It was a nice peaceful spot

[@erinbricker-urbanhistorian5803]

So do I... looks so calm and relaxing. :)

[@karenpacker8862]

Love the history and pics. The architecture is really cool. Thanks to all of you!

[@robertmanley7556]

Great video as always . I love history thank you for sharing cant wait till the next video keepup the great work

[@JPVideos81]

Thanks robert

[@creegirl9]

Just my odd comment that the blue weathered paint on the boards in the second tower... just beautiful. And the buildings, interesting.

[@jennthau3]

great video! Thanks to Josh!!! I really like the inserts of info throughout the video. Ties everything together nicely! Thank you for sharing!!!

[@JPVideos81]

He was a great help and he's also helping me on an upcoming video ill be doing.

[@sandramason1987]

Love the old pics and history. Great find Josh.

[@richdiscoveries]

Phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal!! This place is amazing especially that old switch Tower with the levers to change the tracks. I wonder how hard those levers were to throw??

[@JPVideos81]

Must of took some strong forearms haha. I knew you'd like this video.

[@railnut8453]

That’s why they were called “ Armstrong” levers. It took a strong arm to throw them. But if they were well maintained and lubricated it really wasn’t that hard to move them.

[@journeywithjay]

Great timing with the train coming through. I love those signal towers, it looks like I could make it to 2nd floor with those levers. I'd just have to bring my GoPro. I can't carry all my gear and climb up there. Loved the history behind it all. Nice camera work Josh.

[@theseamstress6315]

Enjoyed the explore and history!

[@ksokie63]

This was great love looking at old railroad building. Thank you for sharing. B