Photos of Readings Beth Branch by Union Station

Hard to believe but this is all that left of the mighty RDG mainline next to Union Sta in Bethlehem. Ghost signals are also gone but relay box is still there and in good shape.

I think CR killed this as a thru line in the 70s in fave of the LV but with Beth Steel still in biz the trackage thru Bethlehem saw use. No sign of rails past whats on photo. Coach yard was at right in south photo also no trace.

When I was here in the 1990s the area around Union Sta was run down and decrepid. The station was just an empty cement shell inside. There was a flooded tunnel that went under the reading tracks with a sign “cross to south bound reading co trains”. A CR light engine move went south on the RDG. There were ancient RDG style crossing flashers.

Photos are looking north and south.

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Thanks for the update and pictures. I haven't been up to the station area for many years, and I was wondering if the ghost signal was removed.

When they were turning the Bethlehem Union Station into the St. Luke's medical center, I seem to recall them leaving the existing rail in place and paving over it for the parking lot. I did get pictures of the under-track tunnel filled with concrete. Supposedly inside of the new place, they have some mementos related to the station, but I've never been in there.

I have no idea what is in there now that St. Luke's Hospital supposedly moved out.

Here's a story of when it was first going to be restored, back in 1986: https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-1986- ... story.html