Working rail roads and their tracks.

RoyJackson · Oct 18, 2021

bdhsfz6 said:
I'm also a railroad buff and I'm fortunate to live in the state of Pennsylvania which has a rich railroading history. There are many places in the state to see railroad memorabilia. On of my favorites is the Steamtown National Historic site in Scranton:

And one of the best Railroad museums around, the Strasburg Railroad!
https://www.strasburgrailroad.com/.
Boy! Sometimes I wish we'd stayed in Pennsylvania and the Strasburg Railroad is one of the reasons!!

buckeyefarmer · Oct 18, 2021

bdhsfz6 said:
I'm also a railroad buff and I'm fortunate to live in the state of Pennsylvania which has a rich railroading history. There are many places in the state to see railroad memorabilia. On of my favorites is the Steamtown National Historic site in Scranton:

Steamtown National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)

find your park national park week parkrx #weareparks

www.nps.gov

The roundhouse there is one of the best I've seen!

There are many many miles of abandoned railroad right of ways across the state. Some have been converted to multi use paths for hiking & biking. While it's sad to see these old abandoned rail beds, it's good that some are being repurposed for public use. Many make an attempt to preserve their railroading past by keeping & restoring railroad infrastructure.

My love of railroads is one of the factors that got me involved in bicycling these old right of ways. Over the last few years, I've ridden my electric assisted bicycle (e-bike) on thousands of miles of these converted rail trails. Due to remote locations, it is the only way to see some of these old railroad relics. I'm particularly interested in rail bridges & tunnels.

The Longpoint & Climax Tunnels near New Bethlehem, PA

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The 3295' Big Savage Tunnel near Meyersdale, PA.

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The Salisbury Viaduct near Meyersdale, PA.

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The old Redbank coaling tower near East Brady, PA.

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The Brady turntable near East Brady, PA.

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Thanks for all the neat pics!!

buckeyefarmer · Oct 18, 2021

Probably the Black Hand Tunnel in Toboso Oh. It was on the Ohio Electric line. 1890-1929.

bdhsfz6 · Oct 19, 2021

I took this short video after riding my bike through the Brush Tunnel on the PA. MD. border. It was one of the most thrilling railroad experiences I've had. It might have been a different story if the steam engine had passed me in the tunnel. There is no danger of being hit unless you're on the tracks but the tunnel fills with smoke and cinders!

They now have warning signs about being in the tunnel when a train passes. They weren't posted when I made the video.

MossRoad · Oct 19, 2021

Nice!

buckeyefarmer · Oct 19, 2021

bdhsfz6 said:
I took this short video after riding my bike through the Brush Tunnel on the PA. MD. border. It was one of the most thrilling railroad experiences I've had. It might have been a different story if the steam engine had passed me in the tunnel. There is no danger of being hit unless you're on the tracks but the tunnel fills with smoke and cinders!

They now have warning signs about being in the tunnel when a train passes. They weren't posted when I made the video.

View attachment 717577

Always wanted to ride that train.

buckeyefarmer · Oct 24, 2021

Blue ridge tunnel

Built 1849-1858, 4273’ long and used until 1944 when a larger tunnel was made beside it for modern locomotives. At one point it’s 700 ft below the surface, which includes the southern end of the skyline drive.

RobS · Oct 25, 2021

Cool tunnel, part of a trail now?

buckeyefarmer · Oct 25, 2021

RobS said:
Cool tunnel, part of a trail now?

A short trail. Was .6 mile from west end trailhead to rocky end. Another trailhead further away on the east end.

bdhsfz6 · Oct 25, 2021

Since it's almost Halloween, I thought it would be appropriate to post this one.

These are shots of the Finderation or Brandy Gap Tunnel #2 on the old abandoned B&O Railroad right of way near Salem WV. It is now part of the North Bend Rail trail.

The tunnel is reputed to be haunted due to it's somewhat gruesome history. Strange noises can be heard inside the tunnel allegedly due to the fact that it passes directly under an old graveyard. My brother and I didn't hear noises when we biked the trail but we both experienced shortness of breath about midway through. I suspect it was stale or "dead" air rather than a ghostly manifestation.

An interesting read for those who believe in this sort of thing: