Lehigh & New England Railroad, Part 1

The Lehigh & New England was a rarely photographed hometown railroad which traversed a tumultuous scenic route through Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York states. Though known as being coal carrier, it also carried cement, slate and some merchandise traffic.

Its paint scheme represented the railroad’s two primary online commodities; black for coal and white for cement. Although 50 years have passed since its demise, the Lehigh & New England’s early exit from the railroad scene and it’s all Alco diesel roster continues to stir interest among railfans today.

In Volume 1 we’ll look at operations of the mainline from Hauto to Pen Argyl and the Catasauqua, Bethlehem and Allentown branches between 1949 and 1961, through the films of Charlie and Ken Bealer, Arthur Angstat and the rare Randolph Kulp film collection of the Lehigh Valley Chapter NRHS.