"the" Delaware - Lackawanna Railway Pocono Main

The Pocono Main Track (former DL&W main line) is what one might call the "big show".  Stretching from Milepost 134 at Bridge 60 in Scranton to Milepost 73.75 in Portland, PA, this piece of railroad is rated for 40 MPH in spots and has grades frequently topping 1.5% (in both directions!).  This route often showcases 40+ car trains with three, four and sometimes five unit lashups. Despite its remote routing, the Pocono Main can be viewed from many locations without trespassing on railroad property.  Station locations in Scranton, Elmhurst (razed), Moscow, Gouldsboro, Tobyhanna, Pocono Summit, Mount Pocono, Cresco and East Stroudsburg are all excellent train watching (and shooting) locations.  A host of grade crossings, parallel streets and other public areas make for an easy chase. The following photographs are arranged Scranton to Portland Eastbound and then Portland to Scranton Westbound. All Photographs by Dave Crosby unless noted otherwise.

Eastbound...

The Pocono Main begins at Bridge 60 near MP 134.  Here we see a dimentional train from Bridge 60 Tower bound for the NS at Portland. (5/03)

The heavy grade begins as the tracks wind their way out of town.  A grain train with an ALCo leader is seen near the University of Scranton. (4/03)

Here we see a Tobyhanna-bound train leaving the Steamtown yard, passing the long-defunct Mattes Street Tower.  (4/99)

On a curve just before the Elmhurst Resorvoir, a light engine more is bathed in theearly morning sunlight.  (9/06)

Charging upgrade after an overnight snow squall, the 3642 has it's train well in hand as it passes the one-time site of the DL&W Elmhurst station.  (2/06)

After leaving Scranton, the former DL&W passes through Dunmore, PA.  Here a load of grain is seen from an overhead bridge. (5/06)

Here a train bound for Tobyhanna is seen passing the Elmhurst Resorvoir from an overhead embankment.  (11/98)

Moscow, PA boasts the first restored station east of Scranton.  Here a loaded grain train passes the old brick passenger station.  (4/04)

East of Moscow lies an excellent photo spot, the Lehigh Road grade crossing as seen here.  (10/06) Photo by G. Pancavage.

Just East of Lehigh Road the Pocono Main skirts this lake on a causeway.  A small neighborhood park in Gouldsboro  provides this great view. (5/06)

As you can see the photography at Lehigh Road is good year-round: witness the 3642 create a man-made snow storm here.  (2/06)

A short distance east of the location in the photo to the left a short Portland bound train approaches Gouldsboro station. (5/06) Photo by G. Pancavage

The former DL&W station at Gouldsboro has been restored to its early 20th century appearance, providing a great backdrop for this grain train. (4/04)

Approaching the Gouldsboro station, this Tobyhanna-bound train passes the lake seen in the photo in the previous row.  (11/98)

On the way to pick up interchange at Portland, two units are seen with a short train passing the Gouldsboro station.  (10/06) Photo by G. Pancavage

East of Gouldsboro the track levels out some and runs arrow-straight for several miles, allowing for some high speed running.  (4/04)

We see a road freight passing by the switch leading into the Tobyhanna Army Depot.  (7/06)

On a bitter February morning an Eastbound Portland train approaches the classic wooden station at Tobyhanna.  (2/06)

This train load of grain has crested the grade east of Tobyhanna and is now running downhill past the Pocono Summit station. (4/04)

Many restored stations dot the Pocono Mainline.  Here a Portland-bound train passes the Cresco station, getting a face-lift in this shot by Gary Pancavage. (6/06)

Three big ALCo's are seen working their dynamic brakes as they glide downgrade past the Cresco station. (2/06)

Just East of the Cresco station, the DL serves Bestway Lumber.  Here a Portland train delivers fresh loads of plywood.  (6/06) Photo by G. Pancavage.

As engine 2035 approaches Analomink, the grade has leveled out and the railroad crosses a picturesque creek. (10/06) Photo by G. Pancavage.

Approaching East Stroudsburg, the DL 3000 passes through an area the DL&W called "Gravel Place". (12/06) Photo by G. Pancavage.

The village of East Stroudsburg features not only it's own restored station, but also the last wooden tower on the former DL&W.  (2/06)

The E. Stroudsburg Tower Preservation Soc. has been dilligently restoring the old landmark and opens it for special events. (5/06) Photo by G. Pancavage

Here we see a rare lashup of two RS-3's and an RS-32 passing the tower in East Stroudsburg. (8/07)

Nearing the end of its Eastbound run, the 4103 and it's Portland-bound train pass through the scenic Delaware Water Gap. (5/06)

One of the DL's trustworthy RS-3's is  seen entering the interchange yard at Slateford.  Most DL trains terminate at this point. (4/07)

Occasionally a DL train will enter NS territory to make interchange as seen here. while the former DL&W Portland Station looks on. (6/02)

Westbound...

The local athletic field off of River Road provies a great setting to catch westbound trains just about any time of year. (6/06)

Westbound freight train PT 97 has picked up it's train of inbound cars and is seen departing Slateford Yard.  (4/07)

A westbound freight begins its hard climb out of the " Gap".  This location is about a mile west of the yard at Slateford. (6/06) Photo by G Pancavage.

The late afternoon sky illuminates a three unit lashup along River Road.  The mountains in the background are actually in New Jersey. (2/06)

Montreal-built 3643 pauses at the old interlocking tower in East Stroudsburg making for a timeless scene.  (6/05)

Leaving East Stroudsburg behind, the 2035 has just crossed Courtland Street and traverses a quiet neighborhood. (6/06)

An overpass at Cresco provies a great vantage point to shoot westbound trains Here an impressive 6 Axle lashup lifts a 45 car train upgrade. (5/06)

Here we see a westbound train has a attracted a decent sized crowd on this summer sunday. (6/06)

Fall colors at Cresco accentuate the fresh paint on these two units as they roar past the Station. (10/06) Photo by G. Pancavage

The westbound grade is quite pronounced as these two engines drill cars at the Mt Pocono flour mill. (4/04)

Just west of Mt Pocono the westbound grade crests somewhat as these three 6-Axle units work to get their 40 cars over the hump at Mt. Pocono.  (5/05)

Here two RS units have their shorter train well in hand as they crest the grade at Pocono Summit. (6/06) Photo by G. Pancavage.

The only widecab on the DL is seen approaching Tobyhanna. (10/06) Photo by G. Pancavage.

The sun is beginning to set and the moon is already up as this westbound Portland Turn is seen passing the classic station at Tobyhanna.  (6/05)

A pile of new ties gives the photographer a great vantage point as two units rush an empty grain train through Tobyhanna. (4/04)

This westbound train makes for a dynamic shot while dropping downgrade at Lehigh Road. (6/06) Photo by G. Pancavage.

M420 2045 slows as it enters downtown Moscow and it's passing siding. (10/06) Photo by G. Pancavage.

The sweeping super-elevated curve east of Moscow station provides an excellent train watching vantage point in afternoon sun. (4/04)

The crew of this westbound Portland Turn isn't wasting any time as the head back to Scranton on this June evening. (6/05)

Three matched units in GVT colors are a sight to behold as they head back to Scranton.  (9/06)

A westbound photo special enters what was once a bustling yard in the location known as "Winton" on the old DL&W. (9/93) NPS Photo by K. Ganz.

The Mill Street overpass in Dunmore provides this ariel view of an empty grain train returning to Scranton. (4/04)

Another super-elevated curve makes for a great late afternoon view of this westbound train near Myrtle Street in Scranton. (6/05)

Two former EL units, on a road train, over the former EL, in 2007, who would have thought!  (9/07)

A rare passenger extra with 2 RS-3's approaches the Myrtle Street grade crossing under less than ideal weather conditions. (9/00)

Perhaps one of the best vantage points on the entire DL is the newly-constructed overlook in Scranton's Nay Aug Park. (5/06). Photo by G. Pancavage.

The modern western facade of the Nay Aug tunnel does little to reveal it's age.  Built in 1853, it is one of America's oldest railroad tunnels. (5/06)

a Portland Turn featuring two former EL C425's is seen entering the yard at Scranton. (9/07)

From an unusual angle in Nay Aug Park, we see engine 2035 exiting the tunnel and crossing roaring brrok from below.  (8/07)

The setting sun highlights the classic lines of this ALCo as it leads its train into Scranton.  The old signal mast is one of many still in place on the line. (6/05)

We end where we began; At the west end of the DL at Bridge 60 with this early view of a yet to be renumbered 4743 (now DL 3643).  (3/97) NPS Photo by K. Ganz.

Ridge Row, as it is known to the locals, provies this overhead view of a westbound train nearing the end of its run. (5/06)

Please note this page has no official association with the Delaware-Lackawanna Railway or GVT Rail Inc.

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