Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Story
April 12, 1954
Trainman News
Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana
What is this article about?
Historical account of the Beaver Meadows Railroad, America's first steam railroad started in 1836 in Pennsylvania, key to anthracite coal growth, acquired by Lehigh Valley in 1864.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
Beaver Meadows
Was 1st Steam RR
ALLENTOWN, Pa.—A bit of railroad history was brought back to life recently when the SUNDAY CALL-CHRONICLE here printed the story of the little 24-mile Beaver Meadows Railroad which was started in 1836, the first steam railroad in the country.
The original road ran from Beaver Meadows through Waverly to Penn Haven and followed the Lehigh Valley to Parryville. It was a vital factor in the growth of the anthracite coal industry in Carbon County, Pa.
Wooden rails, slipped into notches in the ties, were first used by the railroad. Straps of iron held the rails in place. Iron rails were used later.
When the road started operating in 1836, daily pay for engineers was $2, firemen $1.50, and brakemen $1.
Wild cats, panthers and bears were a common sight for railroaders on those early trains.
The Beaver Meadows Railroad was bought by the then rapidly-expanding Lehigh Valley Railroad in 1864, after 28 years of independent operation. It became the oldest portion of track in the present Lehigh Valley System.
W. L. Reed, assistant to the president, called the article to the attention of TRAINMAN NEWS.
Was 1st Steam RR
ALLENTOWN, Pa.—A bit of railroad history was brought back to life recently when the SUNDAY CALL-CHRONICLE here printed the story of the little 24-mile Beaver Meadows Railroad which was started in 1836, the first steam railroad in the country.
The original road ran from Beaver Meadows through Waverly to Penn Haven and followed the Lehigh Valley to Parryville. It was a vital factor in the growth of the anthracite coal industry in Carbon County, Pa.
Wooden rails, slipped into notches in the ties, were first used by the railroad. Straps of iron held the rails in place. Iron rails were used later.
When the road started operating in 1836, daily pay for engineers was $2, firemen $1.50, and brakemen $1.
Wild cats, panthers and bears were a common sight for railroaders on those early trains.
The Beaver Meadows Railroad was bought by the then rapidly-expanding Lehigh Valley Railroad in 1864, after 28 years of independent operation. It became the oldest portion of track in the present Lehigh Valley System.
W. L. Reed, assistant to the president, called the article to the attention of TRAINMAN NEWS.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
Beaver Meadows Railroad
First Steam Railroad
Anthracite Coal Industry
Lehigh Valley Railroad
Railroad History
Where did it happen?
Beaver Meadows, Pennsylvania; Carbon County, Pa.
Story Details
Location
Beaver Meadows, Pennsylvania; Carbon County, Pa.
Event Date
Started In 1836
Story Details
The Beaver Meadows Railroad, the first steam railroad in the country, began operations in 1836, running 24 miles from Beaver Meadows through Waverly to Penn Haven and to Parryville. It used wooden rails initially, later iron, and was vital to the anthracite coal industry. It was bought by the Lehigh Valley Railroad in 1864 after 28 years.