ROUNDHOUSE ? Traditional Cache
sclave: Due to unforseen circumstances many of Sclave's caches are being archived,some will be available for adoption if anyone is willing to take it over in his memory. Thanks to all who found this cache.
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Cache is small RED lidded tupperware,log sheet,is handicap accessable,small items only!
Cache is in memory of my POP-POP John Sabol,whom was an employee of The READING RAILROAD and worked in the power plant at Saint Clair yards.Long since gone,Cache is very close to the "ROUNDHOUSE" Site; also gone!
A little history; In early 1900's with the demand for Anthracite coal growing,The Reading Company began to line up investors tp create a new rail yard close to the coal feilds.After careful discussion,the "group" bought swampland just south of Saint Clair for a huge rail yard! The construction began in 1909 and was completed in 1912. It was dedicated in a grand ceremony in 1913, And was "THE LARGEST RAIL YARD IN THE WORLD" at that time.
The yard had 63 tracks for a total of 46.5 miles. Capacity was 2,100 cars and had an engine house(AKA The RoundHouse)that housed 52 engines! It was the only complete round engine house of the Reading Company and was the largest one(engine house) of the Reading Company! Just south of it was the 3 story,9,000sq.ft. office building,dorms,lunchroom,showers,and kitchen. Just behind it(NORTH) was the powerhouse(where John Sabol worked) that powered all the electrical for the yard and signals beyond!(upto 25 miles!!!!) Above that(NORTH) was a ramp for dumping coal into a bunker,above that was the repair shops,that can still be seen and are in use today by another business and beyond that the Scales,freight building and Saint Clairs two passenger stations!(PRR> & READING RR). A light,intermediate, and heavy repair shops were there at one time.
The roundhouse, housed Mtn. type engines(like the famous 2102) each 70-110 ft. long! 52 in ALL! Light repairs were also done at the Roundhouse,the ash pits were 20 ft deep! At it's peak the yard employed 1,200 men.
In the early 1960's the once famous yard was closed! Due to trucks and small coal sales. The Great Roundhouse was demolished in 1972 and the entire yard was sold for a meager $68,000.00 To the Greater Pottsville Industrial Developement corp.
If your there at the right time of the day, you can hear the ghost; train whistles from the past!
No,Actually on the south side of the yard there is still rail service to the New Yuengling brewery! And they use the horn at the pottsville street crossing and yuenglings small yard!
And for you Benchmark hunters there's a NGS Kw2702, on the top of the southwest bridge wall,on a state road, by the New Yuengling brewery!
N 40 42.033
W 076 10.467
LINKS: www.readingrailroad.org
www.yuengling.com
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
V frr gur yvtug
Treasures
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