Norm,
When I was about 12, in 1956, we kids would hitch-hike to Irwin from Forest Hills, Pa. then go to Isaly's Dairy store for ice cream, and then we would walk the PRR main tracks to Shafton, Biddle, etc.
Just past the Turnpike bridge, we came across (I think) an abandoned power station with generators and motors still in tact. There were with big breaker panels on the walls and all manner of things laying about.
There was a stream running parallel to the tracks. where the water pooled a bit so we decided to go skinny dipping. After getting out of the water and not yet dressed a long passenger train came by. oops!
We really enjoyed railroads a lot, one time we walked the 4 track main from Irwin to Radebaugh where PRR had a water reservoir (to us kids it was just another swimming hole) by RG tower which is now named Rade. Fun times for sure!! Of course in those days it was pretty common to use the tracks to walk to our destination as it was the easiest way in otherwise very hilly terrain.
