The Bridges
A Southbound train over Ontelaunee Creek. Photo by James Benetzky from 2008.
Some of the railroad's scenic highlights are the views from the bridge over Ontelaunee Creek. The bridge is between Trexler and Steinsville. Actually there are two bridges. The longer southern span crosses the creek and also divides the railroad between Lehigh County to the north and Berks County to the south. The shorter northern span crosses an old mill race and farmer's road. But both the race and road are long abandoned. The fill between the two bridges was added just before the two existing concrete spans were constructed around 1918. Before that the whole distance was spanned by a combination of wood trestles and a covered bridge. The current concrete bridges are typical of what would have been found up and down the Schuylkill & Lehigh line in the twentieth century. Many of these bridges still survive if you know where to look. Pictures of the train from this location are less common since there's no public access to the area.
A northbound freight charter over the shorter northern span in 2003.
The same train southbound over the longer southern span. The northern span is visible behind the caboose.
A 2004 freight charter heading south over Ontelaunee Creek.
The sign marking the county line is oriented to tell you what county you're in, not what county you're entering.
Upstream view from the train.
Downstream view from the train.
Bridge deck detail.
Portions of the stone abutments from the old wood bridge are still visible behind the more modern concrete abutments.
This area was once the site of a mill operation. The millpond was upstream of the bridges. Sharp-eyed passengers looking upstream will spy the stone-faced remains of the millpond dam. The millrace ran under the southern side of the smaller bridge. The mill itself was downstream and known as "Moser's Mill". In the second half of the 19th century the mill was operated by William K. Moser. Moser may have built the mill or it may have been previously built and operated under the name Probst. Later the mill was operated by Charles E. Lenhart. Moser was known to have applied water power in a variety of innovative ways. In addition to the grist mill operation, water power was applied to cut logs, bore holes in fence posts and remotely thrash grain via a cable and pulley arrangement. The mill building still exists although it's been reduced to one story and converted to apartments. The stone building is visible amongst the other farm buildings immediately downstream of the smaller bridge. The farm maintains an orchard and runs a produce stand along Rt. 143 called the County Line Orchard. Check them out at www.clorchard.com.
Remains of the millpond dam.
Looking down the race under the smaller bridge. The farmer's road ran under the right side of the bridge.
An old picture of the stone mill building. Today it's one story shorter, but still recognizable.