The Erie Railroad
IN
Susquehanna, PA

MILEPOST 194 ON THE OLD ERIE MAINLINE

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Susquehanna Station

Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, the western point of the Erie' Rairoad's Delaware Division is well known for it's famous Erie Station and is normally associated with the stone bridge just a few miles to the east. But Susquehanna is steeped in it's own railroad tradition apart from that stone bridge. For instance, if one was to visit the Town of Susquehanna today, they would not find a thriving rail community. No, there would not be a flurry of rail activity that makes a town come to life. Today Susquehanna is a relatively quiet town but if the streets could talk they would have many a rail stories to tell.

Erie Rail Shops In The Early 1900's

It was here, not very long ago, that the Erie Railroad not only had a large magnificent station, which housed the railroad's division offices, a hotel and beautiful restaurant, but a town that boasted one of the finest and state of the art engine rail shops in the country. These shops, located on 8 acres and opened in 1864, were constantly busy with repairs on Steam locomotives and freight cars until late in the 1920's. It was the constant railroad activity of the Erie, that caused the town of Susquehanna to be incorporated and to grow. The shops and the depot generated much business, and at one point was responsible for over 2000 jobs. The Depot, which became the first all railroad station, grew to house a 75 room hotel. Susquehanna was almost at once made not only an operating headquarters of the road, but one of it's most important stops for all trains. Before the coming of the dining cars, passengers were all fed at the eating houses in the station hotel there. Not to be left out, the shops at Susquehanna were also impressive. So impressive that in January 1870 the editor of the New York Herald, at the pursuasion of then Erie president Jay Gould, sent a special correspondant out over the Erie to prepare several articles on the condition of the property. The operation of the Erie at Susquehanna excited his special admiration as he wrote, " The company's large works were under the management of a gentleman named Mr. J.B. Gregg, who has been for over 25 years connected with the road. Here the steam engine, so familiar to the eyes of the millions, with it's funnel-shaped smokestack and polished belts of brass, is built from the foundation up. There you see them, as you look, in all stages of construction and in all stages of repair. They stand in a long, imposing row, like soldiers on parade, and look as if they could carry a house away if the steam was turned on. Nothing strikes the visitor so much as the scrupulous cleanliness and order of this immense workshop. You fancy for a moment that you are in some great government arsenal and the impression is confirmed in looking at the determined, clear-cut, military features of your chaperon. Mr. Gregg. His face is in fact one of methodistic severity...." The Herald reporter was also impressed by the handsome Starrucca Hotel in the Susquehanna passenger station, he said, "..it reminds me of a baronical banqueting hall or the transept section of a Gothic Cathedral." The Erie in Susquehanna was certainly admired my many and documented much. So where is the hope of Susquehanna today? No one really knows, but soon the rails in Susquehanna will be even busier that the handful of trains a day at present. Norfolk Southern will add activity here and who knows, maybe double track again and the room for a railyard is always there.

Erie PA's Leaving Susquehanna Station

Once again Susquehanna will be on the rail map, just how big is uncertain.
We'll just have to wait and see.



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