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be made at Main Street, while a 15 minute restaurant stop would be made at Wickham Avenue. It should be noted the o & w did not have dining cars, depending on station restaurants.
Probably the most important event in the 0 & W's history was the completion of the Scranton branch, a 54-mile line from Cadosia to Scranton assembled from three short line railroads. This turned the "Old & Weary" into a coal hauler, bringing prosperity to the company for over 45 years. It certainly brought growth and prosperity to Middletown as the yards expanded to accommodate the business.
Prosperity also came to Middletown in the form of a new station for Wickham Avenue. This was announced in 1892. The new depot was designed by the famous architect Bradford Lee Gilbert. Plans were approved at the railroad's annual meeting in late December, 1892. Ground for the $40,000 station was broken, October 24th. The 32 x 174 foot building was built by Darling Bros. & Co. from Worcester, MA. While the new station was being built, the old station next to it, remained in operation. The station restaurant, however, in between the old and new stations, was considerably shortened. William Seeholzer began operating out of his new restaurant, June 7, 1983. The new station building's ticket office opened July 30, 1893. The first ticket was purchased by J.B. Penny, who bought a ticket for Hurleyville. The new depot was completed August 10. A clock was placed in the tower about a week later. Meanwhile, the old station building was placed on rollers and mover across Low Avenue. On April 16, 1894, Thomas Perry's Electric Hotel was opened in the old station. This was torn down c1926.
The o & W station was considerably enlarged in 1905 when the north tower was added. The building suffered $20,000 of damage after a fire began in the restaurant October 23, 1919. The building was repaired, and the center section added for railroad office space.
Cutbacks in passenger train service began in 1929. Automobiles eroded passenger business, and increased use of gas and oil caused a decrease in the need for coal. On May 19, 1937, the 0 & W filed for bankruptcy. That year, however, saw the birth of the legendary "Mountaineer," created for under $10,000 by noted industrial designer Otto Kuhler. The road's passenger equipment was in need of renovation, but the road's financial conditions precluded a large outlay of capital. Engine #405 and her coaches were all tastefully redecorated and put to use just before Memorial Day, 1937. To many, the Mountaineer represented the spirit of this proud rail road; to continue onward in the face of adversity.
With World War II, the Mountaineer's consist was broken up, and the 405 pressed into freight service. While business increased during the war, it held no long term benefit. The "old Woman" ran her last regularly scheduled passenger train September