In many ways the Reading Railroad of the early 20th century was indeed a small empire. The anthracite industry on which its wealth was built was yielding only slowly to the growing fuel industries ...

the railroad was the dominant transporter of coal from mines in Schuylkill County. “Thus began the advent of America’s great producer of Famous Reading Anthracite — America’s top quality ...

With the historic 11-story Markle Bank & Trust Co. Building, built in 1910, as a backdrop, Reading & Northern SD40-2 No. 3057 leads a train of dried anthracite through downtown Hazelton, Pa., on ...