Great Railroad Stations
by John C. Dahl
Berkshire, NY
Of all the trunk line railroads that crisscrossed New York State, the Lehigh
Valley RR remains a favorite among railfans. Her roots were in the gritty
business of coal, her line may have been the longest in terms of miles from New
York to Buffalo, and her financial status was never that of a super star. The
Lehigh Valley vanished into Conrail in 1976. What she lacked in standards of
economic measurement, she made up for in spades in character, and her legacy
lives on!
Consider this sharp example of early 20th Century railroading. The neat as a pin
Berkshire depot is the focal point of the small rural community located north of
Owego. Branchline railroading was well represented here. The wood frame station
sports a quaint lower quadrant semaphore signal, as well as the typical Western
Union telegraph sign on the bay window. The polished rails of the main track
look well maintained, but lightly ballasted. One of the Valley’s black and gold
lettered wooden signboards gives travelers and general public alike instant
notice that they have arrived in beautiful Berkshire! Yes, these were the days
when the Lehigh Valley depot was the most important commercial landmark in town.
It looks as if most of the able bodied men of the village have turned out for
this photograph! A prominent citizen in his horse and buggy is also getting in
on the occasion. The station agent is on the platform, probably with some mail
for the next train, which must be due shortly.
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Photo from the collection of John C. Dahl
The Lehigh Valley acquired the line through Berkshire from the Southern Central
Railroad, itself a successor to earlier schemes to connect the Southern Tier
with Lake Ontario. In a series of financial and lease maneuvers, the Lehigh
Valley eventually wound up owning the line. It was soon incorporated into the
web of branches that linked scenic parts of the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes
to the Lehigh’s hub just across the state line in Sayre, Pennsylvania. For
several decades, these many branch lines would offer the towns and villages
through which they ran, excellent rail and communication access to the outside
world.
Turn of the century railroading may have been a grinding, dirty affair in
reality. It was a dangerous profession. Wrecks and accidents with fatalities
were not uncommon. The workdays were long and hard, and workers were often paid
very little. In today’s world of global corporations, the railroaders of turn of
the century America seem as remote as the dinosaurs. However, it is with great
fun and interest that we can appreciate this old photo for the good things it
represents about a long vanished railroad and time.
In the distance a locomotive whistle is sounding for the dirt road crossing
south of town, the distant synchronized music of steam is growing louder. The
daily local will soon be arriving at the Berkshire depot. A flurry of activity
will mark another summer afternoon in time on our beloved Lehigh Valley
Railroad.
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This page was last updated
Tuesday, June 24, 2003
©2003 John Dahl - Page created by Jim Dent
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