I didn't know the D&H had trackage rights over this line which I assume is former Reading? Then again, what do I know... I didn't realize the Nickel Plate had trackage rights either, lol! Nice catch, Doug! Safe to assume, by May of 1977, it was in fact Conrail.
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Mitch,
It's a little unclear to me, but I believe that this bridge is technically part of the Jersey Central as part of its passenger line that crossed the river to its Allentown passenger station, and then crossed back over the river and rejoined the freight main at a location known as WK. There was a wye that provided a connection to the Reading's East Penn line to Reading at East Penn Junction, which I think was technically the end of the East Penn Line. The third leg of the wye allowed Reading passenger trains from Reading and Harrisburg to access the CNJ station in Allentown.
As far as the D&H is concerned, prior to the formation of Conrail, the D&H and Lehigh Valley had several run-through trains, and D&H power, but not crews, frequented Allentown and Bethlehem Engine Terminal. One of these trains, NE84/NE87,ran from the Canadian Border at Rouses Point, VT to Potomac Yard in Alexandria, Virginia, South of Allentown, these trains ran the Reading to Philly, and the B&O to Pot Yard, using a mix of RDG and B&O power, and home road crews.
The D&H was somewhat unfairly positioned to be the competitive alternative to Conrail, and instantly doubled its route-miles on April 1, 1976, reaching Buffalo, Oak Island, and Pot Yard, all via Conrail trackage rights. Since the B&O was not part of Conrail, south of Philly the D&H trains ran on the NEC. So there’s a long answer to a short question!
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