Layton Tunnel and Bridge, Layton, PA, Fayette County

On one of our random and aimless drives, we headed down Route 51 and then cut off of the road. I was going wild with excitement when I saw this majestic little tunnel coming up.

Layton Tunnel and Bridge. A former rail tunnel and bridge. Both date back to 1893 and were abandoned for rail use in 1931. In 1933 they were converted to automobile use. The bridge crosses the Youghiogheny River and the Great Allegheny Passage Bike Trail.

The Layton Bridge is a Pratt Through Truss Bridge that measures in an a stunning 911 feet. It is a half through truss and half deck bridge. If I had to pick out one bridge that was my absolute favorite in the state, this would have to be taken into consideration. My goodness it is so spectacular and peculiar at the same time. I think the way in which this tunnel entry and bridge are so dramatic is even more beautiful than the entry into Pittsburgh on the Fort Pitt Bridge. The bridge is even shown in the classic movie, Silence of the Lambs. The house used in the final sequence of the movie is located right nearby in Perryopolis. 

The views of the Youghiogheny River Gorge are also stunning. This is a gorgeous area that you should definitely check out. The natural setting mixed with this odd tunnel and bridge make this a true sight to behold. Spectacular place.

Be sure to check out our Interesting Pennsylvania 2017 wall calendar, available through the drop down menu at the top of this page, or through this link. It is available on early-bird special for free with purchases of our book through the page, or individually for $9.99 plus shipping. 

Conemaugh Dam and Tunnelview Historic Site, Indiana County, PA

We decided to drive around for a while, as we usually do on weekends, despite the dreary weather. We stumbled upon the Conemaugh River Lake and the Tunnelview Historic Site of Indiana County. Here is the massive Conemaugh Dam. 

The Conemaugh Dam was erected as a flood control measure after the devastating St. Patrick's Day Flood of 1936 in Western Pennsylvania. Kinzua, Youghiogheny, Loyalhanna, Conemaugh, Crooked Creek, Mahoning Creek. Tionesta Lake, and Tygert Lake Dams were all built under the Flood Control Act of 1938, many of which also provide recreational opportunities in addition to their flood control and navigational purposes.

So the dam is pretty neat thing to see by itself, but we decided to continue on the road through the recreation area and go into the adjacent Tunnelview Historic Site. The people in Indiana County do an excellent job preserving and opening up access to areas of navigational and industrial history, as well as taking care of scenic areas, as seen in the county's Buttermilk Falls Park, southeast of Tunnelview. Indiana County does an exceptional job recognizing their heritage and creating public places for the community to enjoy. 

The area we are entering is known as Bow Ridge, a particularly treacherous section of the Conemaugh River. Here you can see two generations of railroad heritage, with the upper bridge being built in 1952 and the lower stone arch bridge being built in 1907.

This marker on the old stone bridge depicts where the floodwaters reached during the devastating floods of 1936. These floods rose 22 feet above the former town of Livermore, which was located in what is now part of the Conemaugh River Lake

The end of the old stone arch bridge leads into the Bow Ridge Tunnel. Here is the east portal of the tunnel. This tunnel was closed when the dam was built, and then sealed in order to ensure that the river valley remained sealed off to stave off potential floods.

We need to get back to do some exploration around this area. You can see the bridge piers from the 1867 alignment of the West Penn Railroad. A tunnel is mostly buried on the end of the old bridge piers. The 1907 alignment utilized the existing stone arch bridge, used for vehicular and pedestrian traffic, and the 1952 alignment runs on the steel bridge that we showed earlier. The fabled Western Division of the Main Line Canal also ran through this area, though it is fully submerged with water now. That tunnel was the third built in the history of the United States and was part of a system that linked Philadelphia and Pittsburgh by a mix of rail and canal. The eastern end of that canal portion started with water flow from the lake that would eventually fail in the horrific Johnstown Flood of 1889. The canal ended in Pittsburgh with a giant bridge across the Allegheny into Downtown Pittsburgh. The Tunnelview Historic Park has one of the few remaining right-of-way remnants of the Western Divison canal that went out of use in 1865. We will be sure to get back to do some more exploration at this place that is rich with transportation history.

Here is the location of the Conemaugh Lake National Recreation Area and the Tunnelview Historic Area is adjacent. As you can see, the West Penn Trail, a beautiful trail, runs through the area.

Our 2016 Roller Coaster Calendar is now available! For more information, follow this link!

2016 Roller Coaster Calendar and Book Prices

2016 Roller Coaster Calendar $9.99 USD  "Great Pennsylvania Parks Road Trip" (153 B/W Pages, No Refunds) $21.95 USD  Calendar and Book Combo - No Refunds $24.99 USD

 

Horseshoe Curve, Altoona, PA

Windshield shot of the road tunnel into the Horseshoe Curve area!

 Acid mine drainage. There is a containment trough that this runs into that ends up in a treatment plant to take care of the damage inflicted by the old coal mine. Hopefully we learn from the lessons of the past when it comes to the devastating pollution.

 The cut out of trees in the mountain is the southern rim of the Curve.

 The visitor's center and station to the small incline that takes you up to the level of the curve.

 An old observation sign.

This small funicular takes you to the observation level of the Curve. The bend in the track is where the cars pass each other as one goes up and the other goes down at the same time. This nifty design enables the cars to move on one track for the majority of the trip, likely making this a more affordable venture. This design is likely also good for places with space constraints.

 Old observation sign explaining the watershed area that makes up the valley under the curve. Great precautions are taken with the watershed to keep the acid mine drainage contained away from the drinking water supplies.

 Here we go up the funicular!

 This is such a nifty design.

 Looking down at the incline track from the top.

 The beautiful view out of the Curve and the valley in which Altoona is located. You can also see the watershed within the middle of the view.

Here is the Pennsylvania Railroad's PRR 7048 diesel-electric locomotive. It was put into service in the 1950s and then retired in 1986 and donated to the curve, with a paint job restored to its original paint design. 

 This is a beautiful place to be, even if no trains are going.

 I think Brit spots a train!

 Nothing yet!

 Can still hear it in the distance! Such a cool place

 Two locomotives on this Norfolk Southern Train

 Just some containers

 And UPS tractor trailers! The intermodal logistics between rail and trucking are pretty awesome. The thought that they can take this across the country to a waiting truck to haul right off is pretty awesome. I wonder how many packages were on this train? There were at least ten of these trailers.

 Hmmm what can brown do for you? Can it tell me what is in the next set of containers?

 It's a mystery that is none of my business.

 Brit having a great time taking photos.

 There were dozens of people watching the trains and picnicking on that relaxing Saturday afternoon. My only wish is that they would clear some of the brush in the area looking out into the Curve to open up the view, and maybe even add something like a fire tower or observation tower similar to the one at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle State Park in Erie.

 Two locomotives and no traditional caboose? I guess UPS delivers as a caboose.

The train covered a good chunk of the nearly half mile length of the Curve. It is pretty amazing to me how efficient these locomotives are to be able to transport this much product with such little power. It is especially efficient when compared to delivery by tractor trailer. According to CSX, the locomotives can carry up to 3000 tons of cargo and move one ton of freight 480 miles.

 The little birds were hopping and looking like they were playing some game with each other. 

 Back to the trains again and good old PRR 7048 standing guard.

 Had a pretty awesome afternoon at Horseshoe Curve!

and our next stop is at the awesome Lakemont Park, here on our other page.