In addition to the Pennsylvania Schuylkill Valley, the Penn-sylvania made one other addition to its mileage in the anthracite fields, in the purchase and completion of the “North and West Branch Railroad Company”, which had a charter to build a line from a connection with the Sunbury, Hazleton and Wilkesbarre (PRR) at Catawissa Junction, east along the Susquehanna to Wilkes-Barre. This company had been organized in 1872, and its line partly constructed. The Pennsylvania had made several attempts to purchase its stock, but was not successful until its promoters found themselves at the end of their resources late in 1881. Following the purchase, the company was reorganized and its construction was rushed, to the end that the 43 miles of its line had been completed by the end of November 1882. This line was important to the Pennsylvania because it ran through the property of the Susquehanna Coal Company. It may be remembered that reliance had originally been placed on a contract with the Lackawanna. and Bloomsburg Railroad to bring this coal to Pennsylvania System rails, but that road was already under Delaware, Lackawanna and Western influence. and the arrangement had never been entirely satisfactory.

Pennsylvania RR - Centennial (page 420)