Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site
National Historic Site · Gallitzin, Pennsylvania
The remains of the inclined-plane railroad that hauled canal boats over the Allegheny Front between 1834 and 1854, closing the last gap in the route from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh. Boats were taken out of the water, dragged up and down ten stationary-engine inclines on a thirty-six mile line, and put back in on the far side, which was an extraordinary thing to do and lasted exactly twenty years before the Pennsylvania Railroad made it pointless. The site preserves an incline, an engine house foundation, a tavern and the first railroad tunnel built in the United States.
110 Federal Park Road, Gallitzin, Pennsylvania, 16641, United States
Grounds and trails open daily during daylight hours, free. Visitor centre generally 9 AM to 5 PM with reduced days in winter. The Lemon House and the Engine House 6 exhibit shelter follow the visitor centre hours. The Staple Bend Tunnel unit, near Johnstown, is a separate trailhead reached by a two-mile walk or ride. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
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