Allegheny Portage Railroad of the Pennsylvania Canal
A National Historic Landmark
National Register Number: 66000648
Location: West of Altoona, south of US22 at Tunnel Hill/Gallitzen exit;
Cresson Twp Cambria County and Allegheny Twp Blair County; PA.
Geographic Coordinates: 40.45642N 78.55173W
Statement of Significance (as of designation - December 29, 1962):
This first railroad over the Allegheny Mountains operated from
1834 to 1854 and was considered a technological marvel of its time.
An inclined plane, it carried canal boats over a 36-mile mountain
divide between the eastern and western divisions of the Pennsylvania Canal.
This canal, with its railroad, was the main Pennsylvania
transportation line west for over two decades, and played a critical
role in opening the interior of the country to trade and settlement.
A portion of the route is included in the Allegheny Portage Railroad Site.
Links: National Park Service (site administrator), and Wikipedia
June 11, 2008
Engine House atop Incline 6.This is not the original engine house.
It is the general shape of the original, only larger. It was built as a housing for the site and displays.
Mechanisms inside the engine house. They look like reproductions.The original foundation can be seen below.
If those ropes were similar to those used to haul the canal barges, I can certainly see why they were periodically breaking.
This is the view down incline 6 to the Skew Arch Bridge.
The National Park Service should be able to afford a little Roundup.
A zoom of the bridge is to the left.
The Lemon House
March 28, 2008
At this site, passengers and freight were transferred from the
Pennsylvania Mainline Canal to the Allegheny Portage Railroad.
March 28, 2008
The bridge is in the middle of the Muleshoe Curve. 40.4341N 78.5201W 1515feet
It was built in the 1850's as part of the New Portage Railroad,
a rail route commissioned by the state to bypass the Allegheny Portage.
East Face.
West Face.
Path across top.
March 28, 2008
The bridge was built for the Allegheny Portage Railroad.
It is in the National Register of Historic Places.
March 28, 2008
The bridge was built for the Allegheny Portage Railroad.
It is in the National Register of Historic Places.
June 13, 2004
Front
Rear
The view from the bridge up Incline 6 to the engine house.