These web pages have been created as a resource for researchers covering the history of the Main Line of Public Works from the first planning activities in the 1820s to the re-engineering in the 1870s and 1880s by the Pennsylvania Railroad.

• Overview


• Main Line Railroad
• Accidents
• Consumables


• Re-engineering the Main Line
• Goals
• Land Acquisition


• Original Stations
• Green Tree Tavern (Station)
• Paoli Inn (Station)
• Eagle Station and Hotel


• Track Engineering (including bridges and underpasses)
• General
• Greentree Section
• Paoli Section
• Daylesford Section
• Berwyn Section
• Devon Section
• Eagle Section
• Strafford Section


• Track Plans


• New Stations
• Berwyn
• Devon
• Strafford
• Daylesford
• Other Potential Stations

Acknowledgements

This project could not have been successful without the help of the following people:

Staff of the Chester County Archives and Historical Society; Al Giannantonio, James Jones; Greg Prichard, Heidi Sprout, Bart Van Valkenburgh, Ted Xaras

Note that the images and diagrams on this site have been optimized for timely download. If you are interested in viewing higher resolution versions please contact the authors.