PRR Denholm Coal Wharf

Hardcoaler Oct 3, 2021

  1. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    About 50 miles west of Harrisburg, PA on the PRR's mainline stood the impressive Denholm Coal Wharf, built in 1906. It spanned the four mainline tracks, plus eight others. It survived into the late 1950s or early 1960s. I stopped by the site in the early 1980s and found only a bridge abutment remaining.

    Just five miles west of Denholm were the Hawstone Track Pans.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2021
  2. Sepp K

    Sepp K TrainBoard Member

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    There was a similar structure in Thorndale, PA, east of Harrisburg. When the PRR electrified, they removed the coaling gear over one track and ran catenary through it. Nothing is left of it, either.
     
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  3. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    Cool! I didn't know about that one. I visited Thorndale only once in October 1995 and it looked like an interesting place. I wonder if THORN Tower survives? I should post this picture to our "Insert Train Here" thread. :)

    1995-10-17b Thorndale PA - for upload.jpg
     
  4. Sepp K

    Sepp K TrainBoard Member

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    AFAIK as of a year ago THORN was still active, although there are plans to remote it. Last I knew, there was only one freight move through the area daily, serving the steel plant in Coatesville via a steep connection to the northern stub of the ex-Reading Wilmington & Northern.
     
  5. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    How many trains per day moved through here?
     
  6. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    I'm not sure, but in the 1940's Horseshoe Curve saw over 50 passenger trains each day and freight would have been greater. It boggles the mind, and all in steam.
     
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  7. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Can you just imagine what a sight that place must have been in it's prime! Thanks for the pic Hardcoaler :)
     
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  8. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Makes the imagination run wild! If it were still operating that way, today, there would be railfans by the dozens every day. Wow.
     
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