|
|
**271 N. Cross over the bridge from Franklin to Conemaugh.Turn right at the bottom of the bridge.Turn right again and go past the car wash.You are now facing the Main Line.Railroad St. runs parallel to the tracks. To the right is "C" Tower. To the left is "AO". "AO" is now only a place name.
**This is the foot of the West Slope.This is a great action spot. Here is were the helpers are put on for the push up the hill. Be sure to walk back over the bridge and get some photos!
|
|
|
**Take 271 N.from E,Conemaugh for aprox. 4 miles. Turn right at Mineral Point Rd.This road will take you to Mineral Point. Turn right onto Beech Hill Rd. Drive up to the Main Line overpass. There is a good place to park on the right hand side. Both sides of the overpass offer good photo spots.The far side of the overpass is at track grade.
**The old Portage railroad roadbed is on the far side of the overpass. It runs parallel with the main line West to the Staple Bend Tunnel. This Is how you will get to the big cut & bridge # 6. The big cut and bridge #6 are 2.3 mies from were Beech hill Rd. crosses the old road bed. The entrance to the new Staple Bend Tunnel park is on the far side of the overpass and is well marked. There is plenty of parking and info on the Staple Bend Tunnel.
There are two ways to go at this. You can hike or ride your bike the 2+ miles to the Staple Bend Tunnel. At the West portal turn right. The big cut is about 200 yrds down the hill. Careful its steep!! If you go through the Staple Bend Tunnel to the East portal you can see bridge #6 and the cut.
You can get a better look at bridge #6 and the cut by hiking down the inclined plane about 75 yards from the East portal. That 75 yards is all thats left of the plane. There will be a small hiking bridge. Bridge # 6 is to the right across the CBL RR tracks. The hikeing is semi tough!! DO NOT TRY THIS IF YOU ARE UNFIT!!
**Remember you are on park property. Federal laws apply!
_View of the East Portal.
|
|
|
**Continue On Beech hill Rt. from Mineral point till you come to a stop sign. This will be Clapboard Run Rd. Turn left and go straight at the next 2 stop signs. After the second stop sign you will be on Ragers Hill Rd. This road will take you to South Fork. Ragers Hill Rd crosses the South Fork branch of the Conemaugh river as well as South Fork branch of the P.R.R.When you cross the river you will now be on Lake St. The P.R.R.,s South Fork branch will be on your left. Follow the "Heritage Route" signs into town. the road makes a hard right and the Main Line will be in front of you. Make the first left you come to and cross the bridge to Ehrenfeld. Turn left and go all the way back to the end of the road.
You will be faceing the old trolly line. Park its time to walk! Follow the trolly line back. were boots its muddy in some spots. You will notice unused roadbed on your left as you start your walk. this is the old Summerhill Branch. Its only a mile and a half to the viaduct. Your landmark is a power line.Take the first path that goes down to the left past the power lines with wooden poles. You are there!
|
|
| |
|
|
||
| previous page |
|
next page |
|
|
||