Round Top Passenger Station

In 2005 the Tioga Transportation Society (TTS) began negotiations for the acquisition of the Round Top passenger station. According to the Interstate Commerce Commission Valuation, it was built in 1904. The station was abandoned by the New York Central Railroad in 1942. On a cold day (10°F) in February of 2007, the station was finally moved from the hamlet of Round Top to Wellsboro Junction where it joined its “sibling” structure, the Stokesdale shelter, at trackside.

The station’s location at the Junction is approximately six miles north of its original location. The station has been moved at least three times. The first time it was moved approximately one hundred yards to a private residence east of its original location on the right-of-way, where it was used among other things, as a neighborhood playhouse. Then some time during the mid 1950’s it was moved approximately 50 yards to the north, into the back yard of another private residence where it continued to be utilized by children at play and eventually as a potting shed. Until its acquisition, it remained at that location for 60 plus years. With its latest move it has now, once again, become part of an operating railroad.

The station has been restored to as near as its original shape and color as possible and is now available for the public to view and appreciate. Even though this little structure, the Round Top passenger station, does not typify what the average person’s idea of a traditional train station should look like, it will forever serve as a reminder to future generations of what railroad structures/buildings were like in Tioga County, Pennsylvania during railroading’s heyday.

A large number of people were involved with the acquisition and the moving of this station to its current location. Besides many TTS members being on hand to act as the labor gang, there were a contracting company and a trucking company. Both of these organizations donated their equipment and manpower free of charge thus providing an excellent example of the community spirit and cooperation that the Society strives to instill and support. As a small token of appreciation the TTS hosted a train ride for all of those involved, complete with a celebratory cake. TTS member Kathryn T. made a very appropriate three-piece cake for the occasion. Pictures of the cake can be seen below.