Reading Railroad's Main Line

Another dip into the film vault, this time a look at the Main Line of the Reading Company between Belt Line Jct. in Reading, and Flat Rock Tunnel in Philadelphia. Also covered are the Perkiomen, Stony Creek and Norristown Branches, as well as Bridgeport roundhouse, Abrams Yard and Norris interlocking. A short clip of an MU trip into Reading Terminal concludes the video. Film sources include John Hand, Sam Lenhart, George Gerhart and Walter Schopp. Sounds are from my personal videos.

[@shortliner68]

Neat to see all the older 40' freight cars with Fallen Flag roadnames that I remember seeing back in the 1950s and '60s.

[@StephenCarlBaldwin]

Thanks for sharing this enormously valuable historical footage. The Reading was some railroad!

[@AndreiTupolev]

Some fantastic vintage rolling stock! Those RS3's really stormed along on passenger work m

[@rogerhuber3133]

I love the Reading Co. and this video makes one very aware of the large variety of 1st generation diesels they had. Great seeing Train Masters at work.

[@artvandelay0073]

Awesome compilation video! Always love to see the old FP's and FT's in action from back in the day. Especially loved the bird's eye view of the Klapperthal curve. I grew up in the outskirts of Reading during the "Bee Line Service" era of the 1960's and eraly 1970's, and can remember being caught many times on one side or the other of the 7th Street cut at Penn St., counting freight cars with my dad as a train passed by. Good memories. Thanks for sharing!

[@jayl8034]

I'll take an educated guess that the Norristown Interlocking was the track that crossed over Barbadoes Island to the south bank of the Schuylkill river between Bridgeport and Abrams. I used to fish that river and walked by that interlocking tower all the time as a youngster. Great to see the Bridgeport roundhouse! That got torn down by the time I was there. Circa 1970.

[@dschlegel75]

Loved it, some great shots in there. Incredible to see all my railfan spots back in their heyday.

[@johnringoo756]

Magnificent footage.. love the fact that we're just going to hear the train sound which is magnificent.. did I mention it was magnificent.. hypnotic.. thanks

[@WideWorldofTrains]

This is a very amazing vintage train video

[@jonnybeck6723]

Boy, that wuzza good one... I used it to jam along and to keep my guitar plunking sharp and fresh... cheers

[@mikeggg5671]

This is just amazing. Cab units, A-B sets, even a pair of Alco FA and B! I mean this is just unbelievable. I grew up in Reading in the late 80s and 90s - I know Wernersville, Womesldorf, Birdsboro - so many locations I remember watching Conrail trains as a boy. As an adult, I model Reading. This gives me such perspective - and such a longing for decades gone by. And Klapperthal Curve by air! OMG! Thank you so much - please keep up the good work, if you find anymore!

[@fmnut]

The Klapperthal shot is from the old Neversink Mountain RR right of way, now a fire trail, not from the air.

[@Celluloidwatcher]

Thank you for yet another trip down memory lane with the Reading RR, when railroading was an American institution, especially the passenger trains. What memories they bring.

[@THR33STEP]

That is some amazing stuff!!! Thanks for posting!!!

[@christophers.o622]

Great video of the Reading railroads mainline. Today the Philadelphia Reading Terminal is the Terminal Farmers Market, the SEPTA trains to & from Norristown used Market Street East, Penn Center & 30Th. Street Terminal. In 1963 the old Pennsylvania & Reading railroads began replacing the MU’s with Silverliner 1 commuter train cars.

[@redbarnz]

That was terrific! I thoroughly enjoyed that video about the Reading!

[@fmnut]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@deepsleep7822]

Enjoyed the ride on the Reading. Thanks for posting.

[@tomok8283]

Thank you for sharing. And showing us a Reading railroad that many of us never knew. Theirs videos on mid 60s and later Reading. Steam era. But this is the first movie compilation I've ever seen with only first generation diesels! And the sound mixing was perfect! Especially the RS3s as they had what looks like a Leslie 4 tone air horn set!

[@fmnut]

Tom Ok the horns are Nathan M3 "tilt bell". They sound just a bit different than a regular M3 as the rear facing bell is stretched and bent upward to clear the cab roof. They were specifically designed for road switchers with the horn mount on the front cab wall. All Reading RS-3s had them. The RS-3s I got the soundtrack from have the same horns for the same reason.

[@modeltrainsandtracks]

An excellent compilation - thank you for giving us this. Amazing to see so many of the Osgood-Bradley 'American Flyer' passenger cars, elsewhere they are like hens teeth to find photos of them, let alone video!

[@fmnut]

The Reading's steel coaches were not Osgood-Bradley cars. The initial batches were built by Harlan & Hollingsworth, later batches by Bethlehem Shipbuilding after they bought out H&H, in Wilmington DE. The cars with the skirts and large windows that resemble O-B cars were rebuilt from standard coaches at the Reading Shops in 1947 as part of the "Modernization Plan" for the passenger fleet. 3 new trains were created, namely the Wall Street, Schuylkill and King Coal. Types of cars included reclining seat coaches, full lounges with bar, and diners. The Crusader was later equipped from this fleet after the stainless consist was sold to CN.

[@Lawrence-St.Lawrence1701]

If this footage was on DVD or Blu-Ray, I would certainly buy it. This is really good material!

[@154Jamesp]

I live in Port Reading, NJ. It was the railroad's port "city" back in the day. It's still very busy with rail traffic, mostly for the oil refineries and storage. Pretty neat history can be told by the elders in town in regards to the Reading line.

[@granskare]

The trains owned the track while our gov't supported highways & airports so maybe that is why our railways collapsed and now only freight is seen-we also have CN in our area working freights,,,Amtrak is best for the coasts- the middle of USA is ignored...blast :)

[@kennethtiller7916]

Thanks for sharing great footage of the early diesel locomotive days

[@Tom-Lahaye]

What a video is this! All early diesel types and not yet a single GE in sight, this must be the 50's, maybe just after the end of steam, as there was even an FT A&B set. And it seems all different models were used on passengers as well, EMD, Alco or Baldwin, it just doesn't matter. And it seems that even the RS3's had steam heat boilers on them, as I saw one passenger with steam escaping from underneath the cars and then I noticed the stack behind the cab on the short hood which must be the boiler exhaust. Great work with the dubbing of the sound as well, it's spot on.

[@jayl8034]

GE wasn't all that bug in locomotives in the 60's. It was either ALCO or EMD. Ge bought ALCO. and that's how GE got into the railroad biz. Some nice old ALCO RS-3's in this vid.

[@intelwalker63]

Good to see some of this old stuff!!!!:):):)

[@wrailfan]

Fantastic video!

[@iusetano]

Loved watching.

[@viktordubowskii695]

Thank you for the upload. I saw flat rock tunnel in philly, and the Roosevelt boulevard expressway extension were it goes over the schuylkill river.

[@philhoffman3417]

Very interesting. My dad was a NYC exec. during some of this period. As teenager, I took many cross country trips to LA to visit relatives. I saw a lot of the 20th Century limited of the late '50s/ early 60s. I did not work in the industry until many years later a partner and I built a railroad freight car leasing business. All of that is background. What fascinated me was seeing the way railroads operated in that era. You can tell that it was am early iteration of diesel power because they were using the locomotives direct substitutes for steam -- turntables. engine houses, length of trains, signaling and number of tracks shows how different it was to run a freight railroad then vs. now (longer, heavier trains, larger more specialized cars, distributed power etc.). I that brief look at the special train hauling steel structural systems (road bridge beams?) was awesome. I wish there had been more of that. I'd love to know something about how that train was put together. The beams resting on the bogeys was genius.

[@rjl110919581]

Thank you for share this detail video

[@dannylittle6766]

Outstanding audio, sound clips of old Baldwins and FMs are probably hard to come by (especially at 15:00-never heard an FM at full throttle before).

[@timothyrearden3178]

Good job. Great to see some Outer Station. Dad took me and little brother there every Sunday after Mass. We watched trains depart for Philadelphia and Harrisburg. An engineer who always had a few words for us and a big wave was named Scholl.

[@jamesrussell6123]

Are both of you lucky?

[@williamh.jarvis6795]

Lots of old Baldwins, passing by, so to view and hear them.

[@markchicwak370]

Thanks for sharing!! Great video! Probably most all of this is gone!☹️

[@alanhill8617]

Thanks I learned something new!

[@RTWest-kn5fr]

I don't know locomotives by type or maker or any other identifying info... but, after watching this video... I am rather harshly reminded that I am 2 days younger than dirt. Gracias por tu video. RT sends, envía, Colonia Centro Histórico, Puebla, México...

[@mysticrailroad]

tremendous video.

[@rdg9026]

Loved this video - all first generation power.

[@psilvakimo]

The Diesel locos were great to watch. I wonder if anyone has built a scaled bus resembling the Diesel locos (e.g., at 2:05) with the same horn sound, rolling headlight, and all.

[@larrycharney3186]

At 20:42, you catch a quick glimpse of a P&W Bullet car passing overhead in Norristown...Very cool!

[@fmnut]

Yes, the film cut off just as it appears, so I put in a brief freeze frame to enhance it.

[@stevehajdinyak3084]

I enjoyed this video very much but it sad to see what happened to the railroads ,I can remember when I was small and my grandfather would sit with at the Bethlehem station for hours so I could just watch the trains. It something when you remember somethings.

[@adeeponionbreath]

Nice compilation of film. What power diversity! BTW our family name is spelled Gerhart, George Gerhart. Thx.

[@fmnut]

Thanks, I will correct the description accordingly.

[@randyc8171]

It is so strange to see train cars that are not all covered with graffiti.

[@packr72]

Spray paint had just been invented not to mention more passive security in the form of more railroad employees. Trains were still tagged though usually with chalk. Graffiti dates back to the ancients so it’s not a new phenomenon.

[@packr72]

@@DIRTYdeeds613 People work more hours for less pay these days.

[@ww32]

Yeah, only layers of grime here

[@michaelkurtz8124]

Why is Reading not as good today?

[@alanhill8617]

Great video thank you! I wonder why that one train had 2 cabooses on the rear? Nowadays there are none!

[@fmnut]

Two cabooses usually meant that a yard had excess on hand so one was empty being deadheaded to where needed while the end one was for the operating crew.

[@t.d.5832]

Interesting how most roads ran the first Diesels long hood forward...

[@dumdum7786]

Thats what they were used to. I guess they didnt want to cause any confusion on behalf of the crew

[@jonnybeck6723]

I've heard crews preferred it that-a-way...

[@t.d.5832]

That’s when they began painting the letter F to designate the front of a locomotive. Somewhere set up to run Longwood forward, some were not. And some actually had dual controls.

[@mmmmmmm4269]

The way I understand it, that was done because the engineers were used to looking down the boilers of the steam locomotives. Added visibility didn't even really factor into anyone's computations initially!

[@daniellaubach7544]

Great to watch these vintage compilations of the Reading between namesake Reading & Philly in both freight & passenger operations. Of course the Reading RR also ran freight thru Catawissia on it's way to the Rupert yard near Bloomsburg,Pa.

[@The_Bermuda_Nonagon]

"Take a ride on the Reading, if you pass GO collect $200."

[@tomfields3682]

We who were kids who didn't live in PA back then read it as "take a ride on the Reeding". Not til I got into trains did I learn the proper way to pronounce it!

[@MrTrashcan1]

@@tomfields3682 Growing up in Philly, it never occurred to me that outsiders wouldn't know how to pronounce it.

[@billscott7050]

Is there any more footage available as is here from 23:03 to 23:28 - onboard open window coaches at speed? This is what I recall from the '60's especially on the Reading. Great track noise, love it!

[@fmnut]

Sorry, that's it.

[@EasternCoastProductions]

Do you have any footage of the Reading Colebrookdale Line?

[@fmnut]

No, sorry.

[@SouthernAlco]

More, please

[@o484]

23:04 is where Temple University station is now.

[@csaw780]

F-units pulling freight and Alco switchers running passengers, very interesting

[@6t9chargerse]

Nice action at the Hanover St crossing in Pottstown. Around what year was this filmed?

[@fmnut]

Late 40s thru late 50s

[@Pstauf1]

Wow such a unquie load at 11:45 mark!

[@fmnut]

ChooChooCrazy I believe they were bridge beams for the Schuylkill Expressway

[@albertpatterson3675]

I went to Philadelphia as a tourist one time. Scariest place I've ever been to. Wanted to see the Liberty Bell, Benjamin Franklin, eat cheese steaks, etc. Thought I wouldn't get out of there alive. Reading market was very nice, perfect for a tourist like me. That was 30 years ago, sure it's gotten better since then. At least the Eagles won the Super Bowl!

[@rdglines]

Any idea whose ore jennies they are at 15:50? Never saw any operate on the RDG before.

[@fmnut]

Bessemer & Lake Erie ore cars likely returning empty from Fairless.

[@ButThatsShacksTrain]

@@fmnut correct

[@artvandelay0073]

FMnut, do you have any vintage clips from circa 1950's/1960's showing flat cars hauling automotive frames from the former Reading Dana Corp. Parish plant to the GM plants? Any idea what loco power was typically used for those jobs? Thank you for your knowledge and expertise! 😄👍🇺🇸

[@fmnut]

In that time period, Dana was served by both Reading and PRR. On the PRR side, it was usually Baldwin switchers at the plant. On the Reading side, it would either have been Baldwins or earlier EMD's such as the 1500 series SW8m's. Due to the hill from Dana going up into Reading Yard, a pair was usually run in MU to pull the frames while a single unit switched the plant. Up until the early 60's, frames were hauled in gondolas stacked diagonally. Once the long TTX flat cars came into use, the vertical stacking method was employed. Unfortunately I have no film of this.

[@fmnut]

Just reread your question. Haulage to GM was in road mixed freights which could have used anything the Reading had as road power depending on year you're talking about. On the PRR side, BS 24's (Baldwin RT 624's) were used on the road trains to Phila. into the mid 60's. After they were retired, GP9's predominated. Once the frames got to Philly, again, anything on the road power roster could have been used, probably electrics to Harrisburg/Enola, then diesels further on. There never were any solid unit trains of frames to my knowledge.

[@artvandelay0073]

@@fmnut // Thank you, sir! Your knowledge of this subject never fails to amaze me. Thank you for helping to preserve this important part of our area's history. Take care! 😄👍🇺🇸

[@Bammer2001]

Reading Railroad? I wonder if Levar Burton has even reviewed this railroad to see if there's a whole ton of reading on this very track!

[@fmnut]

It's pronounced "red ding" with a short e, not "ree ding" with a long e.

[@foliagedloki2879]

💯% Sound real

[@rexracernj7696]

P&W/Red Arrow "bullet" car appears overhead on Norristown bridge at 20:43

[@scoobycarr5558]

Today's regional railroad in this area, the Reading and Northern, follows along the trackage of the former Reading.

[@fmnut]

While the R&N does use a portion of the Reading Main Line north of CP Belt, all of the trackage shown in this film is owned either by NS or SEPTA. R&N has trackage rights through Belt to access Reading Yard.

[@scoobycarr5558]

@@fmnut Okeedokee thanks for the info

[@huntermossakajunkerman9646]

15:07 the sound of that FM trainmaster

[@mikeggg5671]

Is all of it original sound?

[@fmnut]

mike ggg none of the sounds are original but all are from the same type of equipment as shown

[@mikeggg5671]

fmnut still, an absolutely awesome video

[@jamesrussell6123]

Do reading co have any F7 I could have sworn I seen a few of the locomotives that looked like one

[@fmnut]

The Reading had FTs, F3s, F7s, all in A and B models. They also had FP7s, which were a few feet longer, for passenger trains.

[@jamesrussell6123]

@@fmnut the reason I ask that, I'm planning on drawing a picture of a reading co trains in most F units from FT to F7 and FP7 real soon

[@fmnut]

@jamesrussell6123 From the ground, Reading's F3s were indistinguishable from F7s. The F3s were late phase models, the only difference being the dynamic brake on the roofs. The F3s had two rectangular grids while the F7s had a 36 inch fan. Only way to tell them apart from the ground was the engine number. I suggest you research a Reading diesel roster to get your numbering correct. Good luck with your artwork.

[@jamesrussell6123]

Thanks

[@brianwalbert4175]

can anyone tell me if this is an F series locomotive at 16:30 +

[@fmnut]

Yes, EMD F7A

[@brianwalbert4175]

@@fmnut Thank you , I have a picture of my grandfather in #255 , could of been him in the video that day

[@geoffreylittlefield2215]

7:29 Perkiomen Junction.

[@malachimuhammad76]

Does it have the Norristown Line in it?

[@fmnut]

Yes, starting at 23:29

[@csxguy3002]

Is that from Herron Rail Video

[@fmnut]

There are a few scenes at the beginning from Herron.

[@davehibbs9111]

And to think it's all gone now 😢

[@krisalutius5177]

Pottstown at 4:55

[@WilliamLebowski]

I’m here to hear them say “READing” or “REDing” for a bet. It’s inconclusive and the bet gets more intriguing

[@fmnut]

It's red-ing, not reed-ing. Take that from a native of 68 years.

[@WilliamLebowski]

@@fmnut its not the answer i was hoping for so im going to ignore it. thank you.

[@fiberrabit8229]

What years?

[@fmnut]

1950s

[@tomfields3682]

@@fmnut Back then I was a couple hundred miles north watching the NYC mainline trains in Rochester. Wish Idve been old enough to drive down to PA to see all this!

[@pat2633]

would be nice if someone would be telling you where each shot is taken

[@fmnut]

I don't do voice overs. My voice sucks for narration. Most people familiar with the railroad already know the locations. The scenes in the video are all in order from Reading to Norristown.

[@pat2633]

@@fmnut nothing to bethlehem where they shared the passenger station with the lehigh valley or hellertown where reading had small yard and roundhouse and turntable besides not everyone is from this area to know where all the spots are and im sure scenes changed since the 50's

[@fmnut]

@@pat2633 Bethlehem and Hellertown were not on the Main Line, which ran from Falls to Pottsville.

[@pat2633]

@@fmnut ok im not picking I grew up in so bethlehem and watched the reading, lehigh valley, jersey central. i was asking because im builing a model railroad layout and wanted to model parts of each one Its a shame our government killed the railroads in our area they were fun to watch

[@tomfields3682]

@@pat2633 Wasn't the government that did that,it was the automotive lobby that did this.

[@NKP1155]

The poor Reading, loaded down with local freights and passenger trains.

[@flatcar99]

nope ever heard of the new haven railroad that's the poor rr Reading was a money maker new haven lost money and had the worst management www.tapatalk.com/groups/thenhrhtanewhavenrailroadforum/new-haven-railroad-discussions-f2/

[@mmi16]

I feel sorry for the Readings mechanical department - virtually every manufacturers 1st generation diesels to maintain as well as the electric commuter equipment

[@stevemccall3383]

This railroad thrived in PRR's shadow for so many years only to meet it's demise because of it ( Penn Central bankrupcy)

[@raspergrey4935]

like train

[@jamielacourse7578]

Who says time- travel is impossible?

[@travelingman484]

I was born 100 years to late.

[@Jegsbeard]

Video is great, But overlayed audio just ruins the watch

[@fmnut]

Seriously??

[@choptanktuxent2]

Genuine audio would have helped make it more authentic than it already is, but overdubs do help enhance the feel of the footage. You take what you can get. Great footage nevertheless. The approach to RDG Term. At the end reminds me of my ride from Franklin St. to Philly in 1979 while in college. Thanks for the bid.

[@choptanktuxent2]

Not bid...vid. (Blush)

[@Yak9741]

I think the audio is really well done!