 It would become the keystone of the Philadelphia and Reading system, serving as a gauntlet for its eastern and western branches.Connecting with it were four important lines.The 146 mile (235 km) Catawissa Railroad operated from Mahanoy Junction to West Milton, providing access to the Mahanoy region by joining the northern terminus of the Little Schuylkill with connections to New York City, Scranton and also points west.