The November meeting of the Oliver Evans Chapter of the Society for Industrial Archeology, Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 6pm

A presentation by Pierre Lacombe

In the 1830s, the Philadelphia & Columbia Railroad (P&CRR) and the Philadelphia & Germantown Railroad (P&GRR)  were constructed with stone sleepers. Stone sleepers are blocks of stone used to support rails similar to the purpose of wood ties in modern railroads. The P&C RR initially used stone sleepers in Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties for the west bound set of tracks. They then used stone ties for a short distance. However, for most of the 81 miles of track they used stone blocks for both sets of tracks. The P&G RR used only stone blocks for its 7 mile railbed. During the past few years, Mr. Lacombe has located and described more than 1,500 stone sleepers of the P&C RR and 20 stone sleepers of the P&G RR. The lecture will describe his findings for the stone sleepers and other 1830s stonework of the early American railroads.

Pierre Lacombe is a retired geologist who worked for the U.S. Geological Survey for more than 37 years.  Mr. Lacombe has investigated the use of stone sleepers in about 20 early American railroads and has published a few articles on his research.

Location:

Heim Center  Room 131/132
Parkway Central Library of Philadelphia
1901 Vine St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Entrance at back of Library off Wood Street

This is an in-person meeting. There is usually meter parking available around the library at this time in the evening. There is also a pay parking lot behind the library with an entrance off Callowhill Street. The event in a classroom accessed by the rear entrance to the library on Wood Street. 

Please join us to reconnect with chapter members

The program is free and open to all