by riffian
Being a lifelong studier of timetables, but not an avid fan of the CNJ, I have often wondered about these two trains and their purpose. Timetables of the 50s show these trains running in the wee hours of the morning between Jim Thorpe and Wilkes Barre. They were the only passenger trains in an otherwise island of freight only, since CNJ passenger service terminated at Allentown. Additionally they were not operated as a turn as they passed each other sometime around 3:00AM. They made no intermediate stops (White Haven, Penobscot, Ashley) nor did they connect at Jim Thorpe with another railroad which might have explained some kind of through mail service. They are not listed as mixed trains and their schedule of between 2 and 4:00AM would seem to preclude some kind of employee service. These were the only passenger trains on the Pennsylvania Division, but did not run through to the Division terminal at Scranton.
There must be some explanation for their operation.....does anybody know??
There must be some explanation for their operation.....does anybody know??