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RAIL FREIGHT SERVICE Three railroads once served the Shenandoah PA area. The Reading, Lehigh Valley and Pennsylvania Railroad with large shipments of coal hauled to market by steam locomotives. These three railroads were absorbed into the Conrail Transportation Railroad System and in time the railroad tracks were removed, except for few miles old Reading Railroad branch line tracks from Shenandoah Junction. Once again, railroads are a vital part of Schuylkill & Carbon County’s transportation system – the Reading and Lehigh Valley tracks were absorbed into new kid on the block - Reading & Northern Railroad based at Port Clinton PA - and the Central of New Jersey tracks were absorbed by Carbon & Schuylkill Railroad based in Jim Thorpe PA. Pennsylvania Transportation Secretary Bradley L. Mallory announced that 42 grants totaling nearly $7 million have been awarded to help preserve rail freight service and stimulate economic development in all of Pennsylvania. More than 700 new jobs are expected to be created as a result of the improvement projects. ``Rail transportation is a vital ingredient in the economic development mix,'' Secretary Mallory said. ``Keeping short-line and regional railroads in good operating condition means we're keeping freight moving, while supporting employers, jobs and families.'' Short-line and regional railroads act as feeders to the major rail carriers and enable local businesses and industry to more quickly receive and transport goods by train. The funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (Penn DOT) Rail Freight Assistance Program will be used for the construction, maintenance, repair and rehabilitations of rail lines, rail sidings and grade crossings. ``This financial assistance helps preserve essential rail service and stimulates economic development,'' Secretary Mallory said. Grants given to Carbon, Luzerne and Schuylkill County will aid in track construction. Carbon County: Carbon County Railroad Commission; Jim Thorpe, Nesquehoning, Hauto; and Hometown and Rush in Schuylkill County; $79,275. Approximately 15 miles of track on the C&S Railroad will be rehabilitated Luzerne County: CAN DO Inc., Hazle Township, $93,840. Tie and switch timber renewal and rail replacement will be undertaken on the lead track at the Humboldt Industrial Park; First Quality Nonwovens Inc., Hazle Township, $38,969. This construction project consists of an extension of the company's existing rail siding within the Humboldt Industrial Park; and Jeddo Coal Company, Hazle Township, $88,750. A siding and coal-loading ramp will be constructed. Schuylkill County: Gilberton Coal Company, Mahanoy Township, $322,875. The work includes track rebuilding, switches rehabilitation and repair of an existing rail loading ramp; Skytop Fuels Inc., Mahanoy Township, $121,000. The project includes track improvements and construction of a coal loading and unloading facility at the Newton Junction facility; and Tuscarora Coal Company, Blythe Township, $100,000. A passing siding and coal-loading ramp will be constructed. During the current fiscal year, the Ridge Administration in Pennsylvania funded $8.5 million Freight Assistance funds and $10 million in capital budget funds to encourage investment in the state's rail freight program. |