The front panel of a November 14, 1948 schedule of “The Schuylkill,” the Reading Railway System’s daily train between Philadelphia and Pottsville, with intermediate stops at Norristown, Phoenixville, Royersford, Pottstown, Birdsboro, Reading, Hamburg and Schuylkill Haven. The train was also “available to and from a large surrounding area,” which included Lykens, Tower City, Minersville, St. Clair, Frackville, Giraardville, Ashland, Mt. Carmel, Shamokin, Shenandoah, Mahanoy City, and Tamaqua. The schedule noted that the train was “New… Fast… Modern… [&] Completely Air-Conditioned between Philadelphia, Reading and Pottsville.” However, the connections to places like Lykens and Tower City were by motor coach service with the transfer at Pottsville and with no guarantee of similar comfort services.
Note that by 1948, the Reading had dropped their former full name, “The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad,” and were referring to themselves as “Reading Lines,” or “Reading Railway System.”
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