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.
UPDATE: This post heralds back to May of 2010, and was republished in May of 2013. Since that time we lost the few remaining gems on Hamilton Street. Salomon's was torn down and replaced by another glass Reilly NIZ tower. Tucker Yarn has recently closed, and will become the location for yet another tower of blandness. This blog, with perhaps a unique combination of history and politics, will continue chronicling these transitions.
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ReplyDeleteGerhard was a friend and neighbor.
ReplyDeleteOur common back property line was the old rail bed for the LVTC Macungie line as it passed through Emmaus.