It was incorporated in 1850 and opened its initial line between Lebanon and Cornwall, Pennsylvania, in 1855.
[1] The backers of the new railroad planned to ship iron ore from mines around Cornwall to Lebanon, where a connection was available with the Union Canal.
[5] The Reading designated the line the Cornwall Branch, and it was conveyed to Conrail in 1976.
[7][8] R.J. Corman Railroad Group acquired the remaining portion of the branch in 1997.
[10] Much of the right-of-way is now the north end of the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail.