Anthracite Railway Explained

Headquarters:	Pennsburg, Pennsylvania
Marks:	ATRW

The Anthracite Railway was a short line railroad in the state of Pennsylvania. It was formed in 1983 to operate various former Reading Company lines that it leased from the state. The Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad took over the leases in 1988–1989.

Lines

The Anthracite Railway operated three railway lines. All three were former Reading Company lines:

• the Allentown Branch, between Topton and Kutztown
• the Colebrookdale Branch, between Pottstown and Boyertown
• the Perkiomen Branch, between Pennsburg and Emmaus

The company commenced operations on July 31, 1983, succeeding Conrail as operator. Pennsylvania owned all three lines.^[1] The Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad replaced the Anthracite Railway as the operator of the Perkiomen Branch in 1988 and the other two branches in 1989.^[2]

Further reading

• News: Sharpe. Bob . Life after Conrail . . March 4, 1984 . 71 . . July 4, 2022.

Notes and References

1. News: Erdman . David M. . Local rail lines get new owner . . July 31, 1983 . 21 . . July 4, 2022.
2. News: Elrick. M. L. . Railroad rolling up two new lines . . May 22, 1989 . 16 . . July 4, 2022.