If You Are So Inclined - See Allegheny Portage Railroad NHS

My Hubby and I share a common interest in history.  He tracks down historic trains and I learn where the historic schools are.  Today, it’s all about the trains.

After we leave Horseshoe Curve (near Altoona), we drive to the Allegheny Portage Railroad NHS.  The Visitor Center closed at 5:00 p.m.  We arrive 45 minutes too late to see what is inside it but the park grounds are open until sunset. 

Visitor Center

Display signs along the trail will provide us with a better understanding on how and why this system was built. 

NPS Map

We begin by walking the boardwalk trail.  It is an easy walk through the woods to the Engine House and Inclined Plane No. 6.  A wooden deck offers a view of the remains of the incline.  An exhibit sign explains how the “steps” of the incline plane system works.  “The Portage consisted of 11 relatively level horizontal passages that were linked by 10 'steep' inclined planes.”*       

Trail

Remains of Inclined Plane No. 6

NPS Map

On the right side of the wooden deck is the Engine House.  We peek through the windows and see the machinery that hoisted and lowered on the inclines.  “At the head of each incline was an engine house built of wood.  It contained the stationary steam engine, wheels, gears, hydraulic pistons, vertical 8-foot wheels, horizontal 9-foot by 7-inch sheaves, and wells approximately 3 feet wide and 8 feet deep.”*

Engine House 6 Exhibit Building

On the left side of the wooden deck is the beginning of a 1/3 mile trail (one way) to the 60.4’ long Skew Arch.  A skew arch “is a method of construction that enables an arch bridge to span an obstacle at some angle other than a right angle.”* 

We hike the downhill trail to the road (Hwy 22) to see the railroad bridge.  It's a steady uphill hike back to the Engine House.   

Trail to Skew Arch

Skew Arch

Trail View of Engine House

Near the Engine House is the two-story Lemon House.  It was a popular stop along the train route.  The former tavern now serves as a historical museum operated by the National Park Service.  It is unfortunate that we arrived to late in the day to see inside the museum.

Lemon House/Tavern

The Park closes at sunset and it’s time for us to leave for our next destination – the historic Old Bedford Village (Bedford, PA).

If you enjoy trains, I invite you to view my other blog posts on historic train sites/museums by clicking on the following links:

Choo-Choose Lake Superior Railroad Museum
Altoona Railroaders Museum & Horseshoe Curve

Altoona (population 40,796 in 2013) has a wide variety of lodging and dining options.  Bedford (population 2,781 in 2013) has fewer selections than Altoona but still offers some good choices.

Since opinions, preferences, and budgets vary, I recommend checking a trusted travel source for current reviews on dining and lodging options.  

For a list of historic railroad hotels, trackside motels, train themed B&B’s, and restaurants in former and active train stations, click on the following link:

Railroad Lodgings & Train Themed Restaurants

This list will include the Red Caboose Motel (Ronks/Strasburg, PA).  Travel reviews weren’t very favorable prior to February of 2016.  That is when the caboose motel transferred ownership and reviews over the last couple months were better.  So, during our May 2016 visit, we thought we would stay one night ($150 + tax) at this unique lodging.   We weren't very impressed but kids seem to love it.  

 Red Caboose Motel

LOCATION:  Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site (NHS), 110 Federal Park Road, Gallitzin Township, Pennsylvania (USA).   It is located about 15 miles from Altoona and 40 miles from Bedford, PA

Telephone:  (814) 886-6150  

HOURS/FEES:  The Visitor Center and buildings are open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  The park grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset.   However, Park hours can change due to holidays and inclement weather.  The entrance fee is $5 per person (children under the age of 15 are admitted free).  At this time, the Park does not accept credit cards.  For more information, please click on the “Plan Your Visit” link at the bottom of this post. 

BACKGROUND:  According to Wikipedia, “The Allegheny Portage Railroad was the first railroad constructed through the Allegheny Mountains in central Pennsylvania.  Construction began in 1831 and took three years to complete.  It operated from 1834 to 1854.  Considered a technological marvel in its day, it played a critical role in opening the interior of the United States beyond the Appalachian Mountains to settlement and commerce.  In 1854 the portage railroad was rendered obsolete by construction of a locomotive railroad over the Alleghenies by the Pennsylvania Railroad, a private company.  A skew arch bridge, a masterwork of cut stone construction, is another feature of the site.”  This 1,296-acre park was established on August 31, 1964.  The Allegheny Portage Railroad NHS was designated a National Historic Landmark on December 29, 1962 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966.  

Family vacations created some of my favorite memories.  To start planning your memorable trip to Allegheny Railroad Portage NHS, click on the “Plan Your Visit” link below: 

Plan Your visit - Allegheny Portage Railroad NHS

*National Park Service (NPS) Source