Scranton, Montrose and Binghamton Railroad Co. - Orange $1,000 or Brown $100 - 1919 dated Pennsylvania Railway Bond

$1,000 6% or $100 6% Gold Bond printed by Scranton Litho. Co., Scranton, PA. Please specify denomination.

Often fondly remembered as the Northern Electric, the Scranton, Montrose, and Binghamton Railroad was a prominent interurban trolley line that significantly reshaped regional travel in Northeastern Pennsylvania during the early 20th century. Established in the early 1900s, the line commenced its primary operations in 1907, extending northward from Scranton towards Factoryville and eventually reaching Nicholson and Montrose. Unlike many local streetcars, the Northern Electric employed a high-speed, heavy-rail design that enabled it to navigate through the challenging Appalachian terrain, serving as a crucial link for rural dairy farmers to transport their products to the urban markets of Scranton.

The railroad was renowned for its scenic routes and technical prowess, particularly its ascent over Glenburn Hill and its ambitious—though never fully realized—goal of establishing a direct trolley connection all the way to Binghamton, New York. Despite its popularity for commuter travel and summer excursions to Winola Lake, the company faced challenges due to the increasing dominance of the automobile and the economic hardships of the Great Depression. Operations gradually declined in the late 1920s, and by 1932, the line officially ceased operations. Today, much of the former right-of-way has been reclaimed by nature or transformed into recreational trails, serving as a peaceful reminder of the region’s “Electric City” heritage.