Lebanon Valley Railroad
| Company type | Railroad company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founded | January 18, 1858 |
| Fate | Acquired by Philadelphia and Reading Railroad |
| Successor | Philadelphia and Reading Railroad |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | Pennsylvania |
The Lebanon Valley Railroad was an American rail company responsible for building the Lebanon Valley Branch, which connected Harrisburg to Reading, Pennsylvania. This route officially commenced operations on January 18, 1858.
History
On March 20, 1858, the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, a forerunner of the Reading Company, took ownership of both the railroad company and its line. This acquisition placed the railroad in direct rivalry with the Pennsylvania Railroad over the Philadelphia to Harrisburg corridor.
Currently, the route is under the ownership of Norfolk Southern Railway and functions as a segment of its Harrisburg Line, linking Harrisburg with Philadelphia.
Passenger service
Up until the 1960s, this corridor played a pivotal role in passenger rail service running between Harrisburg and Jersey City, avoiding Philadelphia. The prominent "Queen of the Valley" train was among the services operating along this path.
Important stops along the way included stations at Lebanon, Reading, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Bound Brook, and Bayonne.