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The reason for the single track is the Perkasie tunnel.  In this 2011 image, it is used by the East Penn to reach their interchange with CSX near Telford.

The freight house at Perkasie.  Note the small flashing light common to the Reading.  This light worked with the regular grade crossing signals.  In the present day image you can see that the driveway has been re-located, but the lamp remains.  I don't knowif it still works, but I doubt it.

This will be an interesting past and present look at the former Reading Railroad North Penn line.  Named after its original company name from the 1800's, the North Penn was the Reading's direct route from Philadelphia to Bethlehem.  Passenger service in the post-steam era consisted of either the Budd RDC cars or FP7's pulling about five cars.  The trains terminated at the Reading Terminal in Philadelphia.  After Conrail moved their commuter train operations over to the local state agencies, Septa operated this line until 1982.  In that year the through tunnel connecting the former Reading side and the Pennsylvania Railroad side was completed.  Since these diesel powered trains could not operate in the tunnel and Septa desired to end all non-electrified trains, all service to Bethlehem was terminated in 1982.  Through freights were moved off this line by Conrail very early.

On this particular page I have incorporated something new.  The larger images have a mouse-over feature which will allow you to view the same scene in the present.  The early images were taken in late September 1979, while the present day photos were all taken on February 20, 2011.  The smaller images are simply the usual thumbnails.  Enjoy.


Move your cursor over the larger image to see a present day (2011) view from about the same location.  Move your mouse off the image to return to the 1979 image.  (Dial-up users may have a slight delay)

Lansdale, PA.  This two car RDC is enroute to Philadelphia.  The roll-over image is from 2011.  The large factory in the distance is long gone.  CSX still bases a local from here.

This train is heading for Bethlehem.               Same train as the large image above      Conrail GP-15's in 1982

The Doylestown branch swings off the mainline here.  Several rush hour trains originate at Lansdale with most service continuing to Doylestown.

The next station is Hatfield.  The station is now a business and is in fair condition today.  Only the old northbound track is in use today and the track is in terrible condition.  CSX operates the line and has done little in the way of maintenance.  The siding in the foreground is still in use for a freight customer.

Next stop is Souderton.  This station is still in use as a restaurant.  Back in 1979 it served as a gift shop.  The platforms remain in place and the small outbound building is also intact.  Although it may never happen, I did note that most station buildings could be used again for passenger service and there are plenty of parking spaces at each one.  The biggest obstacle would be the condition of the track.

The small freight hose at Souderton also remains, with some modification.

About one mile up the line is the station at Telford.  The tracks curve to a more east-west alignment through this town.  Again, the station serves as a restaurant. 

Back in 1979, an addition was in place on the west side of the station.  Thankfully, it is gone.  Many Reading stations share this brick and stone construction.  Also note that there is but one single old railroad pole with its multiple cross-arms remaining.  It appears to be used by CSX as a radio antenna base.

The Telford freight hose also remains, with a city (?) added deck.  Would be great place to hang out and watch the trains go by.  Trouble is, they are few and far between.

About 500 feet north of the station is unique passing siding.  It is between the two main tracks.  It is still used today by CSX to serve a large industry anf for East Penn interchange.  A sad and rusted out signal still stands at the north (west) end of the old siding.  The bridge in the distance of the third image below is Route 309.

During my visit, I noted a long line of stored grain hoppers sitting on the old southbound track.  Judging from the rust on the wheels, many have been here for some time.  These cars extend from here in Telford all the way to Perkasie.  A source of revenue for the East Penn, I'm sure.


The next station stop was Sellersville.  This is a rather neat town of antique shops.  A local theatre is located next to the station.  Now if there were still some trains running, this town could be a big tourist draw.

Two more images of the Sellersville station.  Note the break in the line of stored freight cars.

The next town has several things of interest.  This is Perkasie.  The station is in good shape, but could use some attention.  The small shelter on the southbound side is still there.  The old freight hose remains and is used by a local business.  Perkasie is at the end of the double track and the signals still stand guard.  Obviously it has been many years since they have worked, but the entire area has changed very little.

In the 1979 image, the signals are lit up, the station is boarded up and the pole line remains in place.  The large white building to the right seems to either have been modified or perhaps even replaced.  I couldn't tell.

After passing through the tunnel, double track again resumes.  The largest town between Bethlehem and Lansdale is Quakertown.  A large stone station is here, presently used as a clinic of sorts.  The East Penn Railway operates from here.  They presently use a GE U23B to switch the local industries just north of town.  In the 1979 image, a train from Bethlehem is arriving to pick up a good size crowd.  The old hotel on the right remains, however the old brick factory in the distance is gone.  Several new industries are now located there and are served by the East Penn.

Beyond Quakertown the tracks are no longer in service today.  In the two images below, a Bethlehem bound RDC train is passing uder the overpass at Coopersburg cut.  As you can see the trees have overtaken the right-of-way.  This is about as far as the rails go.  RDC train from October 1970, courtesy of Gary Madden.

In the town of Coopersburg proper, a Reading FP7 902 leads a Philadelphia bound mid-morning train.  This consist is substituting for the usual RDC cars.  The photo is dated from 1977 and is technically a Conrail train.  Photographer unknown.

After Coopersburg the tracks wound downhill and through the Lower Saucon Valley area.  Today the local community is converting the right-of-way to a walking and bike trail.  Apparently the NIMBY's do not want the trains to return.


In this view, the right-of-way is still clear.  A long uneeded signal still stands guard.

The Reading had a very large yard in the Saucon/Hellertown area to serve the massive Bethlehem Steel Plant.  They also had a separate roundhouse and coaling tower for steam engines.  Both survive today as seen in this 2011 image.  The turntable was removed several years ago, but the bridge was saved.
In the Reading era image, two trains are facing west.  Photographer unknown.

A Philadelphia bound train scoots through South Bethlehem in 1979.  This track is now gone.

The freight house that sat at Bethlehem.  I will add a few more images of this area shortly.

Here is a view you can't get eveyday.  Quakertown from about 2,000 feet.  The prominent straight line on the left is the railroad.

A bunch of views from Quakertown in 2008.  The U23B is still around  Not so sure about that Alco.

This very old Raritan River box car still sits out in the weather.  One would hope it can be saved and restored someday soon.