1947-1951 an Allentown clock and watch repairman by the name Gerhard Salomon documented the final years of Lehigh Transit’s “Liberty Bell Limited” in 16mm, he captured its entire run from downtown Allentown to Philadelphia’s 69th Street Terminal. Gerhard was a volunteer of Rockhill Trolley Museum, in Rockhill Furnace, PA. Rockhill Trolley Museum has released three video collections of Mr. Salomon’s 16mm films which beautifully capture the final years of the beloved trolley system in Lehigh Valley, PA including the tragic removal of track.

Videos can be ordered from The Rockhill Trolley Museum with all proceeds benefiting the operation of the museum:

http://www.rockhilltrolley.org/store/easton-line-1947-1949

http://www.rockhilltrolley.org/store/round-trip-liberty-bell-limited

http://www.rockhilltrolley.org/store/city-lines-lehigh-valley-transit-company-1947-1951

Trolleys enjoyed widespread popularity in small and large towns throughout the United States, post WWII trolleys suffered because of the transition from electric to gas powered public transportation, it was reasoned that buses were cheaper to operate and maintain. GM purchased trolley lines throughout the United States, they swiftly removed tracks and infrastructure, and their buses replaced the trolleys. When the Liberty Bell Limited was shut down in 1951 Lehigh Valley, PA lost some of its soul as I have gathered from speaking with members of the community from that era.

Only one trolley has survived the scrapyard, it is car #1030 built in 1931 by the American Car and Foundry Co. Today car #1030 is part of the important collection of international trolley cars at the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, ME: https://www.trolleymuseum.org/collection/philadelphia/162

As a tribute to Mr. Gerhard Salomon attached is his obituary:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/mcall/obituary.aspx?n=gerhard-salomon&pid=99889423