Lackawanna and Bloomsburg Railroad
| Company type | Railroad |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founded | 1852 |
| Defunct | 1873 |
| Fate | Acquired by Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad |
| Headquarters | Scranton, Pennsylvania , United States |
Area served | Northeastern Pennsylvania |
| Products | Passenger and freight rail service (coal, iron ore) |
The Lackawanna and Bloomsburg Railroad (LBR) was a railroad operating in the 19th century, connecting Scranton with Northumberland within Pennsylvania. Established through incorporation in 1852, it commenced operations in 1856 and was subsequently purchased by the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad in 1873. The segment extending westward from Northumberland to Beach Haven continues to function today as the shortline known as the North Shore Railroad.
Course
Originating in Scranton, located in Lackawanna County, the LBR traced the western bank of the Lackawanna River through the Wyoming Valley reaching Duryea in Luzerne County. The route then spanned the Susquehanna River at West Pittston and proceeded along its northern shore through towns including Luzerne, Kingston, Berwick (in Columbia County), Bloomsburg, Danville (Montour County), terminating at Northumberland in Northumberland County where it linked with the Pennsylvania Railroad. This alignment closely follows what is now U.S. Route 11.
Construction
The railroad was chartered by the Pennsylvania legislature in April 1852, with modifications passed in 1853. Construction began at Scranton in 1854. The first 17-mile stretch to Kingston opened on June 24, 1856, initiating service three times daily and contributing to Kingston's establishment as a borough in 1857. The station at Kingston's close proximity to Wilkes-Barre encouraged development of local transit systems such as the "Wilkes-Barre and Kingston Passengers Railway," chartered in 1859, thereby improving regional transportation links.
By 1858, the line extended to Berwick and became the inaugural railroad serving Bloomsburg. The final connection was completed on May 31, 1860, when tracks were laid between Danville and Northumberland. Over this period, the LBR expanded from an initial 24 miles in 1856 to an overall length of approximately 80 miles, facilitating commerce and transportation throughout the region.
Operation and legacy
In the year 1867, the Lackawanna and Bloomsburg Railroad carried a total of 269,564 passengers, outperforming its rival, the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, by nearly 82,000 riders. Operating within the anthracite coal-rich Wyoming Valley, this railroad played a crucial role in moving coal and iron ore to support Bloomsburg’s iron manufacturing sector.
The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad acquired the line in June 1873, designating it as its Bloomsburg Branch. After DL&W merged with the Erie Railroad in 1960 to form the Erie Lackawanna Railroad, ownership transferred to Conrail in 1976. Conrail abandoned the line in 1984; subsequently, operations continued under the North Shore Railroad up to Salem Township in Luzerne County. Presently, the eastern endpoint is situated between Beach Haven and Shickshinny, near Berwick along the Columbia-Luzerne county boundary. Although intact, the western portion from Pittston Junction to Kingston remains out of service.