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Return to "Cresson to Gallitzin"
Horseshoe Curve to Gallitzin
Mileposts:
6. Horseshoe Curve; MP 242; Horseshoe Curve Visitors Center; The former Kittanning Point Station is located at milepost 240.9. The station is long gone but a signal tower marks its location. Note: See photos of PRR K-4s #1361 being removed from the curve in the K-4 Restoration Page.
Further information on the Horseshoe Curve can be viewed HERE.
The sign and old staircase at the base of the Horseshoe Curve. This photo was taken 4/23/1998, after the old staircase was removed for installation of the funicular.
An eastbound freight approaching the Kittanning Point Signal Bridge (Fall 1995)
An westbound coal train has just passed under the Kittanning Point Signal Bridge (Date: ?)
A Fall view of the Reservoirs at the mouth of the Horseshoe Curve (11/29/1996)
The Conrail Office Car Special (near McGinley's Curve) is Eastbound toward the Horseshoe Curve on 4/24/1998
Eastbound Helper Engines pass the watchman's shanty at the Horseshoe Curve Park on 4/24/1998
An Eastbound Intermodal Train traverses the curve. Meanwhile, PRR GP-9 #7048 quietly watches on. 4/24/1998
8. Whipoorwill Straight Line; MP 243
9. McCann's Curve
10. MG Tower, milepost 243.5, was built for the purpose of assisting with the volume of war time traffic during World War II. Currently, it is only used when crossovers are operated for track maintenance. The existing tower is scheduled for demolition in the near future.
Joe Blackburn, Operator at MG Tower March 1985. Photo by D W. Seidel Looking East to MG Tower, 197?; Penn Central RR Years. An Eastbound Coal Train. Photo by David Seidel Looking East to MG Tower, 197?; Penn Central RR Years. An Eastbound Coal Train. Photo by David Seidel Maps of "MG" Interlocking are Available Here.
11. MP 244, AG Curve
Looking railroad west to AG Curve, 197?; Penn Central RR Years. An Eastbound Coal Train. Photo by David Seidel
12. Greenough Curve
13. Brandimarte Curve
14. Allegrippus Curve
15. Cold Curve
16. MP 246
17. "BN" Interlocking & Bennington Curve (A Map of "BN" Interlocking is Available Here.)
View Tom Lynam's 1947 Red Arrow Wreck Photos
18. Salpino Curve
19a. Gallitzin Tunnel (east end)
19a. Allegheny Tunnel (east end)
20. New Portage Tunnel (east end)
21. New Portage Branch (out of service...track removed)
A Map of the "SF" Interlocking / New Portage interchange is available here.
22. The "Slide"; MP 247: "The "slide" down the east slope does not begin until the east portal of the "Portage" tunnel. The slope through the "Portage" tunnel is only -1.37%, less than the ruling 1.7% of the westbound tracks. As the tracks exit the east portal and proceed over the "jump over" or "fly over" of the "New Portage Secondary" the grade eastbound becomes 2.37% and remains that steep until the Bennington Curves." Maximum speed here is 12 MPH. Bill Nelson contributed.
In this telephoto lens photo, you can see a work train backing westbound towards the railroad east end of the New Portage Tunnel. Also visible is the fly-over for the former New Portage Branch. Date:
Gallitzin
Maps of BN, SF, UN, and AR Interlockings are Available Here.
Location
Tunnel Hill and Gallitzin are located at approximately milepost 248.0. The towns are located within about a mile of each other and it may appear that it is one town. Tunnel Hill is located near the New Portage Tunnel / AR tower. Gallitzin is located near the Allegheny and Gallitzin Tunnels.
History
Gallitzin was a coal mining and coke manufacturing town with large Irish and later Italian populations. It was named for Prince Gallitzin, a priest of a noble Russian family who settled in Loretto, PA (Cambria County) in 1789. Prince Gallitzin was the first Catholic bishop to serve in this part of PA. This is the highest point on the main line at 2192 feet above sea level.
In 1848-49, the Pennsylvania Railroad laid out and adopted the Sugar Gap Route which was the beginning of industrial development at the top of the Alleghenies.
The mountains' extremely high grade made it necessary to build tunnels through the mountain. In 1850, at a cost of one half of a million dollars, the E. Rutter & Sons firm was hired to do the job. Using picks and shovels, it took over three hundred immigrants to complete it.
The first tunnel, a bit shorter than the "Twin Tunnels" is situated under Tunnel Hill, PA. It is known as the Portage Tunnel.
Eastbound into the New Portage Tunnel, (west end) Tunnelhill, PA. Date Unknown. Photo by Matt Fultz;
Westbound Work Crew Train...Looking (railroad) west towards the Main Street Bridge (06/26/1998)
The second tunnel, first of the "twin tunnels", is known as the Allegheny Tunnel and was completed in 1854. The third tunnel was begun in 1902 and was completed in 1904. This is known as the Gallitzin Tunnel. There is a magnificent view of this amazing architectural accomplishment from the Jackson St bridge. These tunnels are the highest and longest tunnels on what was once the Pennsylvania Railroad. They are 3605 feet long and at an elevation of 2167 feet.
The first of the "Twin Tunnels" completed the railroad west, after passing around the Horseshoe Curve. This factor made the tunnels so important that they were guarded by Pennsylvania Railroad Police during the war years.
Looking railroad west from on top of the west end of the Allegheny and Gallitzin Tunnels. Date: ? Westbound Freight rounding the curve over Chestnut Street. Looking railroad west. (6/26/98) A Conrail Coal Train emerging from the West end of the Allegheny Tunnel. Looking railroad east. (06/26/1998) In July of 1902, a blast set off near the tunnels showered the central part of town with large stones, killing one person and injuring another. The building of the second twin tunnel caused the school directly above the tunnels to weaken and a new school had to be built. The new school was completed in 1906. The tunnels remained unchanged until June, 1994.
The Conrail Pennsylvania Clearance Improvement Project began on June 20, 1994. This project consisted of modifying the Allegheny Tunnel in an effort to lower the track and give clearance for the higher, double stack trains. The work used much more sophisticated equipment than a pick and shovel and the crew consisted of about 90 people. "While work was progressing on Allegheny Tunnel, westbound and eastbound trains used Gallitzin Tunnel; its track had been connected to track 2 just east of UN inter-locking, and since track two is signaled both ways, some of the eastbound traffic was able to use Gallitzin Tunnel. It wasn't until Allegheny Tunnel was placed in service that the other one was taken out of service. Thanks again, and feel free to contact me if I may be of further assistance. "(Phil Faudi) After the improvements, the Gallitzin tunnel was taken out of service. The track was subsequently removed.
Trains run through the tunnels 24 hours a day. A map of both tunnels is available here.
July. 11,1949...A PRR. diesel train fueling up in Gallitzin
Visit Altoona Archives, by Tom Lynam, for additional photos.
"UN" / "AR" Interlocking is at Milepost 248.4.
Typically, helper locomotives were cut off trains at Gallitzin and operated over the loop track to head back to Altoona.
"AR" Tower was closed in 1995 as operations were controlled remotely from Harrisburg, PA
A westbound view of "AR" Tower from the Main Street Bridge; Fall 1996
The old right of way for the New Portage Secondary (at "SF" interlocking", milepost 247.2) was the alternate route over the Mule Shoe Curve to Hollidaysburg, PA. The track was removed in 1984. A Map of the "SF" Interlocking / New Portage interchange is Available Here.
- The "Lilly" detector is located at Milepost 253.1 (Carney's Crossing). There is a dragging equipment detector and a hot box detector.
While visiting the tunnels, stop by the "Tunnels Park" (operated by the Gallitzin Area Tourist Council, 702 Jackson Street, Gallitzin, PA 16641; phone: 814-886-8871). The park is staffed by volunteers and is open to the pubic daily.
1942 PRR N5C Caboose at the Gallitzin Tunnel Park (04-1996) The park, adjacent to the Gallitzin Tunnels, exhibits a restored 1942 PRR N5C caboose. The caboose has been restored to its original 1942 condition where visitors can see the sleeping quarters, eating area, old fashioned pot bellied cooking and heating stove, various antiques and news stories, and walk on to the cupola observation post.
Gallitzin Tunnel Volunteer Guide / Docent Profiled
"Weekday visitors to Gallitzin Tunnel Park this summer (2000) will be in for a particular treat if they encounter 16 year old Aaron Rhone. Aaron, a student at Huntingdon (PA) High School, is spending his weeks this summer as a volunteer guide and docent at Gallitzin Tunnel Park assisting his great uncle, Edward Eckenrode, a greeter at the PRR Cabin (Caboose) in Tunnel Park. Aaron displays particular pride when he talks of the local area history and of the railroaders in his family, especially when he gets on the subject of his great grandfather, Charles Eckenrode, a Master Mechanic for the PRR who was responsible for coordinating the set-ups for the famous PRR 100th Anniversary flash photograph in 1954. Aaron indicates that of the 6000 Sylvania flashbulbs used in the photo, only "one" failed to discharge. Aaron's verbal skills, blended with his easy-going manner and confidence, results in the visitor becoming absorbed in the description of Gallitzin's unique history, which involves many facets of the town's growth; the PRR's influence is particularly significant, but Aaron traces the mining industry and coke production in the area as well. In addition, Admiral Robert E. Peary, who was first to go to the North Pole (and who's monument is in the nearby town of Cresson, PA) was actually born in Gallitzin on May 5, 1856 and reportedly, on his expedition to the north pole, had a wood PRR caboose (aka "cabin" or "crummy") on the deck of the ship (less trucks) to use as his command post. I recommend you avail yourself, if you have the opportunity to visit Gallitzin this summer, to meet Aaron and let him provide you with a fascinating tour of the Tunnel Park and museum. His descriptions will hold your attention and you will learn something new. In my case, as a frequent visitor to Gallitzin Tunnel Park, I "thought" I knew all the facts. Aaron educated me and I appreciate the experience." (Sun, 23 Jul 2000; by David Seidel, Chapter Historian, Horseshoe Curve Chapter, NRHS)
Directions to Gallitzin From the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum
Turn right onto 9th Ave and proceed to 17th Street. Turn right at 17th Street, get into the left lane (DO NOT GO OVER THE BRIDGE) and take the first left (Margaret Avenue). Proceed straight, go over the grade crossing to the light. Continue to go straight (you are on Broad Avenue, a two lane - one way street). Stay in the right lane. When you reach the light at 31st street, proceed through the light and bear right (you are now on a two way street). Follow Broad Avenue to the stop sign at 40th street, which is PA-4008. Turn right and just keep going. After four miles you will reach the visitors center.
Directions to Horseshoe Curve from Gallitzin:
Take Tunnel Hill Street East to Glen White Road. Turn Right. Travel on Glen White Road, go past the old Coke ovens to your left, go through the tunnel and turn left.
Directions to the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site from Gallitzin:
To get to the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, follow Tunnel Hill Street south, and cross over Rt 22.
Directions to Cresson from Gallitzin:
To get to Cresson, go South on Tunnel Hill Street to Rt 22 and turn right or go west on Chestnut St to PA Rt53 and turn left.
Photographs are
by Chris Behe unless otherwise noted.
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