Rolling Along

Rolling Along. the River. , The ability to quickly and inexpensively transport supplies, finished goods, and food by rail revolutionized life in Philadelphia in the 1800s. Construction of new rail lines also crated jobs, from building train parts to laying the tracks., Three major and many minor railroad companies built tracks along the Schuylkill in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad (P&R), Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) competed to control Philadelphia trade, laying miles of railroad track and buying other companies along the way., While railroads were important for Philadelphia business and industry, they also cut off neighborhood access tot he river. Abandoned rail lines were left along the banks because they were difficult and expensive to remove. Years of heavy railroad use left layers of coal ash, oil and tar that contaminated the soil along the river., [Caption:] , The Philadelphia Terminal of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was located at Chestnut and 24th Streets between 1888 and 1963. The highly ornamental station was designed by Philadelphian Frank Furness. It had restaurants and large men's and women's waiting rooms on the Chestnut Street level. Broad stairways and elevators led down to the main ticketing and boarding area, near where you are standing.