Lackawanna and Wyoming Valley Railway
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Predecessor | Westinghouse, Church, Kerr & Company |
| Founded | 1903 |
| Defunct | 1976 |
| Fate | Integrated into Conrail |
| Headquarters | Pennsylvania , United States |
Area served | Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania |
| Products | Passenger and freight rail services |
The Lackawanna & Wyoming Valley Railroad, commonly referred to as the Laurel Line, was a Pennsylvania-based electric interurban streetcar utilizing a third rail system. It provided passenger commuter services from 1903 until 1952 and continued freight operations through 1976. Its principal route linked the cities of Scranton and Wilkes-Barre.
History
Originally constructed and owned by Westinghouse, Church, Kerr & Company—a subsidiary of The Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company—the Laurel Line represented part of Westinghouse's transportation ventures, which also included the Grand Rapids, Grand Haven & Muskegon Railway. Control remained with Westinghouse until 1914.
The railroad ceased electric operations in 1953 when it transitioned to diesel-powered service. In 1957, ownership transferred to the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, though it continued functioning as an independent subsidiary under both this company and later the Erie Lackawanna until its eventual integration into Conrail in 1976.
Currently, segments of the former line are utilized for freight and heritage tourism under local county management. Discussions continue regarding the possibility of reinstating commuter rail service along this corridor.
Routes
The primary corridor extended between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, encompassing stops in intermediate communities such as Dunmore and Pittston. At its height, annual ridership reached approximately 4.2 million passengers; however, numbers declined significantly following World War II.
Changes in infrastructure have affected the route: in 1964, construction of the President Biden Expressway covered a section of the Laurel Line’s right-of-way near Roaring Brook in Scranton. Subsequently, during the 1960s, Interstate 81 was built parallel to this north-south corridor. Presently, increased traffic volumes and deteriorating road conditions have exacerbated transportation issues in the region, leading planners to explore reestablishing commuter rail services once offered by the L&WV system.
Portions of track between Scranton and Montage Mountain as well as Moosic were purchased by Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, re-electrified using overhead catenary wires, and are now operated by the Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad. This operation supports both freight transport and heritage trolley service through the Electric City Trolley Museum.
The Laurel Line Tunnel (also known as Crown Avenue Tunnel) located in South Scranton was completed in 1904 and measures 4,750 feet in length, ranking among the longest tunnels built for interurban streetcars. It recently underwent renovations costing over $3 million.
According to Larry Malski, president of the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority, restoring much of the original railroad line is considered more cost-efficient than expanding Interstate 81. He emphasized that such restoration efforts are "very feasible."
Main Line
| County | Station | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lackawanna | Scranton | Station | Connections to the Lackawanna Railroad and Dunmore Branch |
| South Scranton | Shelter | ||
| Connell Junction | Flag | ||
| Virginia | Flag | Connections to the Minooka Branch | |
| Rocky Glen Park | Shelter | ||
| Moosic | Shelter | ||
| Luzerne | Avoca | Station | |
| South Avoca | Shelter | ||
| Heidelberg | Flag | ||
| Dupont | Shelter | ||
| North Pittston | Shelter | ||
| Pittston | Station | Connections to the Erie Railroad | |
| South Pittston | Shelter | ||
| Ewen | Shelter | ||
| Inkerman | Shelter | ||
| Number 14 | Shelter | ||
| Hillsdale | Shelter | ||
| North Plains | Shelter | ||
| Plains | Station | ||
| Midvale | Shelter | ||
| River Street | Shelter | ||
| Wilkes-Barre | Station | Connections to the Lehigh Valley Railroad |
Dunmore Branch
| County | Station | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lackawanna | Maple Street | Shelter | |
| Waldorf | Shelter | ||
| Nay Aug | Shelter | ||
| Myrtle Street | Shelter | ||
| Petersburg | Shelter |
Recent developments
In 2006, a 2,000-foot track extension was completed, connecting the county trolley line from the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton to a newly constructed station and trolley restoration center located near PNC Field stadium in Moosic, the home venue of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
This $2 million initiative, financed through county and state capital allocations, features a barn capable of housing nine trolleys. The facility supports the refurbishment of retired trolley cars and includes an observation gallery where visitors can watch the restoration activities.