Allegheny Portage Railroad Staple Bend Tunnel

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Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site posted

Anniversary Hike for the opening of the Allegheny Portage Railroad!

Join a park ranger for a hike to the Staple Bend Tunnel on Sunday, March 16 at 2:00 p.m. for the 191st anniversary of the railroad's opening. The hike is approximately 4.5 miles in length. 

Please call the Visitor Center at 814-886-6150 to sign up and for meeting location details. Plan for uncertain weather due to the time of year. Please prepare for snow, ice, mud, rocks, rain, and roots. The hike takes place rain or shine. 

The Allegheny Portage Railroad opened on March 18, 1834. Participants will learn about Staple Bend Tunnel construction and how the Allegheny Portage Railroad moved people and goods over the Allegheny Mountains. (es)

Image: Staple Bend Tunnel.

Scott Reynolds: Is this a section of rail that served the area prior to the horseshoe?

Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site: Scott Reynolds Hi Scott! Yes, the Allegheny Portage Railroad was 36 miles over the Allegheny Mountains from Hollidaysburg to Johnstown. The Portage used 10 inclined planes and 11 levels. The Staple Bend Tunnel was only about 4 miles from Johnstown at the top of Inclined Plane No. 1. Pictured is the western end of the tunnel. From the parking lot to the eastern end, walkers and bikers are walking along what was known as the Long Level! (es)

The Pennsy crossed the peninsula at a lower elevation and was able to use a cut instead of a tunnel.

1907/07 Johnstown Quad @ 62,500

Not only did the Pennsy cut through the peninsula, but so did the river. And it looks like a mining operation has removed a lot of land.

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Since this cut is upstream of Johnstown, PA, was the it formed by the Johnstown Flood or by a mining operation? Since the flood was in 1889, this river cut is man made.