Neversink Mountain Railroad

Commenced operating in June 30,1890, the third electric railroad in the United States, and the first electric railroad in America operated by water power. The water-power plant of 1000 HP was located at the “Big Dam” on the Schuylkill River, below Reading. Edison electric generators were connected to the water turbines. The railroad was Standard Gauge, 56 lb. steel rails were used. Each car had two motors of 25 HP each, these were later increased as they were not sufficient to pull the grades. The Neversink Mountain Railroad ceased operations in 1917 due to financial difficulties.