North Shore Railroad
Encyclopedia
The North Shore Railroad is a short line railroad that operates 44 miles (70.8 km) of track in Northumberland
, Montour
, Columbia
, and Luzerne
counties
in Pennsylvania
in the United States
. The line runs generally northeast between Northumberland
(in Northumberland County) and the unincorporated
village of Beach Haven in Salem Township
(in Luzerne County).
Other communities served include Danville
(in Montour County
), Bloomsburg
, and Berwick
(both in Columbia County
).
The rail line runs generally northeast along the north shore of the North Branch of the Susquehanna River
, roughly following U.S. Route 11
. There are 10 miles (16.1 km) of SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority track in Northumberland County, 12 miles (19.3 km) in Montour County, and 15 in Columbia County. Beach Haven is just east of Berwick and the Columbia County - Luzerne County line.
The corporate offices are located in Northumberland, where there is a connection to the Norfolk Southern Railway
line (as well as an indirect connection to Canadian Pacific Railway
service).
The first five railroads (those marked with an asterisk, *) are owned by SEDA-COG JRA (Susquehanna Economic Development Association - Council of Governments Joint Rail Authority) and operated under contract by Robey Railroads, a private company. The North Shore and the Nittany and Bald Eagle Railroads were the first two railroads owned by the SEDA-COG JRA. Robey Railroads also operates the other two railroads (UCIR and WCOR). As of 2006, there are plans by Robey to consolidate these seven lines as the Susquehanna Railroad Corporation, a non-operating holding company
.
The system has trackage rights
via the Norfolk Southern line. These allow the North Shore Railroad to connect to the south with the Shamokin Valley Railroad (at Sunbury
), and to the north and west with the Union County Industrial Railroad (at Milton
), the Lycoming Valley Railroad (at Muncy
and at Linden
) and the Nittany and Bald Eagle Railroad (at Lock Haven
).
. This was in turn acquired by the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad
in 1873. The DL&W merged with the Erie Railroad
in 1960, forming the Erie Lackawanna Railroad, and was absorbed into Conrail in 1976.
SEDA-COG JRA was formed in July, 1983 to continue to provide rail service to communities whose rail lines Conrail had decided to abandon. In 1984 the JRA took over the line along the north shore of the Susquehanna River from Northumberland to Beach Haven and renamed it the "North Shore Railroad".
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania
There were 38,835 households out of which 27.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.40% were married couples living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.50% had...
, Montour
Montour County, Pennsylvania
Montour County is located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. In 2010, the county's population was 18,267. Its county seat is Danville. It is named for Andrew Montour, a prominent métis interpreter who served with George Washington during the French and Indian War. The county is part of the...
, Columbia
Columbia County, Pennsylvania
As of the census of 2000, there were 64,151 people, 24,915 households, and 16,568 families residing in the county. The population density was 132 people per square mile . There were 27,733 housing units at an average density of 57 per square mile...
, and Luzerne
Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
- Demographics :As of the 2010 census, the county was 90.7% White, 3.4% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 3.3% were of some other race, and 1.5% were two or more races. 6.7% of the population was of Hispanic or Latino ancestry...
counties
County (United States)
In the United States, a county is a geographic subdivision of a state , usually assigned some governmental authority. The term "county" is used in 48 of the 50 states; Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. Parishes and boroughs are called "county-equivalents" by the U.S...
in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The line runs generally northeast between Northumberland
Northumberland, Pennsylvania
Northumberland is a borough in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,714 at the 2000 census.-History:Northumberland was founded in 1772. The land that became Northumberland was purchased from the Iroquois in the first Treaty of Fort Stanwix in 1768, and the...
(in Northumberland County) and the unincorporated
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
village of Beach Haven in Salem Township
Salem Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
Salem Township is a township in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 4,269 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 30.0 square miles , of which, 29.0 square miles of it is land and...
(in Luzerne County).
Other communities served include Danville
Danville, Pennsylvania
Danville is a borough in Montour County, Pennsylvania, USA, of which it is the county seat, on the North Branch of the Susquehanna River. Danville was home to 8,042 people in 1900, 7,517 people in 1910, and 7,122 people in 1940. The population was 4,897 at the 2000 census...
(in Montour County
Montour County, Pennsylvania
Montour County is located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. In 2010, the county's population was 18,267. Its county seat is Danville. It is named for Andrew Montour, a prominent métis interpreter who served with George Washington during the French and Indian War. The county is part of the...
), Bloomsburg
Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg is a town in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, 40 miles southwest of Wilkes Barre along the Susquehanna River. In 1900, the population of Bloomsburg stood at 6,170; in 1910, 7,413; in 1940, 9,799, and in 1990, 12,439. The population was 14,855 at the 2010 census...
, and Berwick
Berwick, Pennsylvania
Berwick is a borough in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, 22.6 miles southwest of Wilkes Barre. Berwick is one of two principal cities of the Bloomsburg–Berwick Micropolitan Statistical Area, a micropolitan area that covers Columbia and Montour counties and had a combined population of 82,387...
(both in Columbia County
Columbia County, Pennsylvania
As of the census of 2000, there were 64,151 people, 24,915 households, and 16,568 families residing in the county. The population density was 132 people per square mile . There were 27,733 housing units at an average density of 57 per square mile...
).
The rail line runs generally northeast along the north shore of the North Branch of the Susquehanna River
Susquehanna River
The Susquehanna River is a river located in the northeastern United States. At long, it is the longest river on the American east coast that drains into the Atlantic Ocean, and with its watershed it is the 16th largest river in the United States, and the longest river in the continental United...
, roughly following U.S. Route 11
U.S. Route 11
U.S. Route 11 is a north–south United States highway extending 1,645 miles across the eastern United States. The southern terminus of the route is at U.S. Route 90 in the Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge in eastern New Orleans, Louisiana. The northern terminus is at the United...
. There are 10 miles (16.1 km) of SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority track in Northumberland County, 12 miles (19.3 km) in Montour County, and 15 in Columbia County. Beach Haven is just east of Berwick and the Columbia County - Luzerne County line.
The corporate offices are located in Northumberland, where there is a connection to the Norfolk Southern Railway
Norfolk Southern Railway
The Norfolk Southern Railway is a Class I railroad in the United States, owned by the Norfolk Southern Corporation. With headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, the company operates 21,500 route miles in 22 eastern states, the District of Columbia and the province of Ontario, Canada...
line (as well as an indirect connection to Canadian Pacific Railway
Canadian Pacific Railway
The Canadian Pacific Railway , formerly also known as CP Rail between 1968 and 1996, is a historic Canadian Class I railway founded in 1881 and now operated by Canadian Pacific Railway Limited, which began operations as legal owner in a corporate restructuring in 2001...
service).
North Shore Railroad System
The North Shore Railroad gives its name to the North Shore Railroad System, which includes the following short lines:- Juniata Valley RailroadJuniata Valley RailroadThe Juniata Valley Railroad is a short line that operates 11 miles of track in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania in the United States. It is part of the North Shore Railroad System....
(JVRR)* - Lycoming Valley RailroadLycoming Valley RailroadThe Lycoming Valley Railroad is a short line that operates of track in Lycoming and Clinton counties in Pennsylvania in the United States. It is part of the North Shore Railroad System....
(LVRR)* - Nittany and Bald Eagle RailroadNittany and Bald Eagle RailroadThe Nittany and Bald Eagle Railroad is a short line railroad that operates of track in Blair, Centre, and Clinton counties in Pennsylvania in the United States. It is part of the North Shore Railroad System....
(NBER)* - North Shore RailroadNorth Shore RailroadThe North Shore Railroad is a short line railroad that operates of track in Northumberland, Montour, Columbia, and Luzerne counties in Pennsylvania in the United States...
(NSHR)* - Shamokin Valley RailroadShamokin Valley RailroadThe Shamokin Valley Railroad is a short line railroad that operates 27 miles of track in southern Northumberland County, Pennsylvania in the United States. It is part of the North Shore Railroad System....
(SVRR)* - Union County Industrial RailroadUnion County Industrial RailroadThe Union County Industrial Railroad is a short line railroad that operates on approximately 12 miles of track in Union County in the U.S. State of Pennsylvania. It is part of the North Shore Railroad System....
(UCIR) - Wellsboro and Corning RailroadWellsboro and Corning RailroadThe Wellsboro and Corning Railroad is a shortline railroad that operates between Wellsboro, Pennsylvania and Corning, New York, passing through Tioga, and Lawrenceville. It parallels PA Route 287 and U.S. Route 15, following the valleys of Marsh Creek, Crooked Creek, and the Tioga River...
(WCOR)
The first five railroads (those marked with an asterisk, *) are owned by SEDA-COG JRA (Susquehanna Economic Development Association - Council of Governments Joint Rail Authority) and operated under contract by Robey Railroads, a private company. The North Shore and the Nittany and Bald Eagle Railroads were the first two railroads owned by the SEDA-COG JRA. Robey Railroads also operates the other two railroads (UCIR and WCOR). As of 2006, there are plans by Robey to consolidate these seven lines as the Susquehanna Railroad Corporation, a non-operating holding company
Holding company
A holding company is a company or firm that owns other companies' outstanding stock. It usually refers to a company which does not produce goods or services itself; rather, its purpose is to own shares of other companies. Holding companies allow the reduction of risk for the owners and can allow...
.
The system has trackage rights
Trackage rights
Trackage rights , running rights or running powers is an agreement whereby a railway company has the right to run its trains on tracks owned by another railway company....
via the Norfolk Southern line. These allow the North Shore Railroad to connect to the south with the Shamokin Valley Railroad (at Sunbury
Sunbury, Pennsylvania
Sunbury is a city in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The city is located on the east bank of the Susquehanna River, just downstream of the confluence of its main and West branches. The population was 9,905 at the 2010 census...
), and to the north and west with the Union County Industrial Railroad (at Milton
Milton, Pennsylvania
Milton is a borough in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, on the Susquehanna River, north of Harrisburg. Settled in 1770, it was incorporated in 1817, and is governed by a charter that was revised in 1890...
), the Lycoming Valley Railroad (at Muncy
Muncy, Pennsylvania
For other places named 'Muncy', please see Muncy .Muncy is a borough in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The name Muncy comes from the Munsee Indians who once lived in the area. The population was 2,663 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Williamsport, Pennsylvania...
and at Linden
Woodward Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania
Woodward Township is a township in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The population was 2,397 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Williamsport, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
) and the Nittany and Bald Eagle Railroad (at Lock Haven
Lock Haven, Pennsylvania
The city of Lock Haven is the county seat of Clinton County, in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Located near the confluence of the West Branch Susquehanna River and Bald Eagle Creek, it is the principal city of the Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, micropolitan statistical area, itself part of the...
).
History
The North Shore Railroad's line first was built in 1852 as part of the Lackawanna and Bloomsburg RailroadLackawanna and Bloomsburg Railroad
The Lackawanna and Bloomsburg Railroad was an 80 mile long 19th century railroad that ran between Scranton and Northumberland in Pennsylvania in the United States. Incorporated in 1852, the railroad began operation in 1856 and was taken over by the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad...
. This was in turn acquired by the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad
Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad
The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company was a railroad connecting Pennsylvania's Lackawanna Valley, rich in anthracite coal, to Hoboken, New Jersey, , Buffalo and Oswego, New York...
in 1873. The DL&W merged with the Erie Railroad
Erie Railroad
The Erie Railroad was a railroad that operated in New York State, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, originally connecting New York City with Lake Erie...
in 1960, forming the Erie Lackawanna Railroad, and was absorbed into Conrail in 1976.
SEDA-COG JRA was formed in July, 1983 to continue to provide rail service to communities whose rail lines Conrail had decided to abandon. In 1984 the JRA took over the line along the north shore of the Susquehanna River from Northumberland to Beach Haven and renamed it the "North Shore Railroad".
See also
- List of Pennsylvania railroads
- Stourbridge RailroadStourbridge RailroadThe Stourbridge Railroad is a shortline railroad that operates a route between Honesdale and the village of Lackawaxen in Lackawaxen Township . It was owned for many years by the Lackawaxen-Honesdale Shippers Association and operated under contract by Robey Railroads...
(also operated by Robey Railroads)