Lehigh Valley Transit Company began their freight service in 1908, using converted passenger cars. By 1912, they were purchasing cars manufactured for commercial hauling. Various train/trolley websites specialize in the exact specifications of these trolley cars, and trace the history of specific cars. It was not uncommon for a car to be used by three or four different companies, and retrofitted for various uses. Throughout the formative years, Lehigh Valley Transit acquired smaller companies and absorbed their freight operations; The Quakertown Traction Company operated between Perkasie and Quakertown. Lehigh Valley's freight operation extended to the 72nd Street Freight House in Philadelphia.
Several years ago, Allentown lost an expert on our local train/trolley history, Gerhard Salomon. Mr. Salomon was a partner in the family jewelry store, one of few remaining gems from Hamilton Street's past.
My father was Gerhard Salomon and I am continuing his interest in trolleys and volunteering as he did for so many years. The Rockhill Trolley Museum www.rockhilltrolley.org is producing DVD's using films that my father took of the Allentown trolleys. Two DVD's have been produced to date, one on the Liberty Bell limited and the other on the Easton Limitied Trolleys. More information is on the museum erbsite regariding these videos.
ReplyDeletejoel, sorry the link didn't show up, it's an blogger/apple issue, so i'll put it here;
ReplyDeleteRockhill Trolley
I had the pleasure of several conversations with your father about all the train sidings down near Basin and Union Streets.