Happy Saint Patrick's Day to everyone! I am off to a late start, after celebrating a bit after work today. This past weekend took me to Allentown on another festive time, but I wound up doing a bit of rail fanning anyway. This stop shows some angles of the former Central RR of New Jersey and Reading station in town. Here is the main door from the street.
For quite a while, tall towers with clocks indicated where the train station was to be found in town. A similar tower was once on the Lehigh Valley Railroad station, which stood about a block away from this structure until it was demolished in a road widening project in the 1960s.
The last tenant of the station was a Banana Joe's beach club/restaurant. It closed in 2007.
Isabelle is the name of this Pullman car which is included in the station design. Other than a bit of rot and rust, plus boarded up windows, the car looks to be in good shape. Since it is all closed up, I can't say much about the interior.
Not the best angle on the building, but it gives you an idea of how the head house meets up with the tracks, and boarding shelter.
Some elements, like on this baggage car, are strikingly beautiful after being closed for over 13 years. A nice tribute to the Lehigh Valley, also.
My friend and I took a little walk in the Lehigh Canal park, which is not very far from the station, and happened upon this Norfolk Southern freight train.
That is my contribution for the week. How has your rail fanning been lately? If you have anything you want to share, add some of your pics of trains you have encountered right here. I hope to post some more next week.