Path Valley Railroad
Encyclopedia
The Path Valley Railroad was a proposed narrow gauge railroad in Perry
and Franklin Counties
, Pennsylvania
, USA.
Intended as an extension of the Newport and Shermans Valley Railroad
, it was to begin at that railroad's terminus in New Germantown and run southward along Sherman Creek and Big Spring Run. Around what is now Big Spring State Park
, the line would climb through a series of curves on a 4% grade and pass through a 2600 feet (792.5 m) tunnel under Conococheague Mountain
to bring it into Burns Valley. It would run down Burns Valley into Path Valley and through the town of Doylesburg, ending at Fannettsburg. An extension through the Concord Narrows was also contemplated, which could have connected to the East Broad Top Railroad
and the Tuscarora Valley Railroad
.
Incorporated on October 24, 1893, grading began almost immediately. The line was graded for standard gauge
, with the anticipation that the N&SV would be converted from 3 foot (914 mm) gauge. The grade soon reached Conococheague Mountain
, and construction began on both portals of the tunnel. However, the rock formations of the mountain proved much more difficult to excavate than expected, and the tunnel contractor went bankrupt in September 1894 after excavating about 100 feet (30.5 m) at both ends. Most of the remaining grading was completed, but the tunnel proved impractically difficult to complete, and the railroad was given up as a failure in 1895.
Part of the grade from New Germantown to Big Spring was later used by the Perry Lumber
Company for a 3 foot (0.9144 m) gauge logging railroad from 1900 to 1905. Much of the grading is now preserved as hiking trails in Big Spring State Park
and Tuscarora State Forest
. The north portal of the tunnel is still visible, but fenced off.
Perry County, Pennsylvania
As of the census of 2000, there were 43,602 people, 16,695 households, and 12,320 families residing in the county. The population density was 79 people per square mile . There were 18,941 housing units at an average density of 34 per square mile...
and Franklin Counties
Franklin County, Pennsylvania
As of the census of 2000, there were 129,313 people, 50,633 households, and 36,405 families residing in the county. The population density was 168 people per square mile . There were 53,803 housing units at an average density of 70 per square mile...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, USA.
Intended as an extension of the Newport and Shermans Valley Railroad
Newport and Shermans Valley Railroad
The Newport and Shermans Valley Railroad was a nineteenth century, narrow gauge railroad in Pennsylvania. It ran from Newport, Pennsylvania to New Germantown, Pennsylvania. It carried lumber, and transferred it to the standard gauge Pennsylvania Railroad at Newport...
, it was to begin at that railroad's terminus in New Germantown and run southward along Sherman Creek and Big Spring Run. Around what is now Big Spring State Park
Big Spring State Park (Pennsylvania)
Big Spring State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Toboyne Township, Perry County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is on Pennsylvania Route 274, southwest of New Germantown. Big Spring State Park is a hiking and picnic area...
, the line would climb through a series of curves on a 4% grade and pass through a 2600 feet (792.5 m) tunnel under Conococheague Mountain
Conococheague Mountain
Conococheague Mountain is a long and narrow mountain located in the far western corner of Perry County, Pennsylvania, United States. The highest point on the mountain is a summit known as Round Top which rises to an elevation of and is located at the very southern end of the ridge....
to bring it into Burns Valley. It would run down Burns Valley into Path Valley and through the town of Doylesburg, ending at Fannettsburg. An extension through the Concord Narrows was also contemplated, which could have connected to the East Broad Top Railroad
East Broad Top Railroad
The East Broad Top Railroad and Coal Company is a for-profit heritage railroad headquartered in Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania, north of Interstate 76 and south of U.S. Route 22, the William Penn Highway. The railroad operates excursion trains on a seasonal schedule.-History:The East Broad Top...
and the Tuscarora Valley Railroad
Tuscarora Valley Railroad
The Tuscarora Valley Railroad was a narrow gauge shortline that operated in central Pennsylvania from 1891 to 1934.-Construction and plans for extension:...
.
Incorporated on October 24, 1893, grading began almost immediately. The line was graded for standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
, with the anticipation that the N&SV would be converted from 3 foot (914 mm) gauge. The grade soon reached Conococheague Mountain
Conococheague Mountain
Conococheague Mountain is a long and narrow mountain located in the far western corner of Perry County, Pennsylvania, United States. The highest point on the mountain is a summit known as Round Top which rises to an elevation of and is located at the very southern end of the ridge....
, and construction began on both portals of the tunnel. However, the rock formations of the mountain proved much more difficult to excavate than expected, and the tunnel contractor went bankrupt in September 1894 after excavating about 100 feet (30.5 m) at both ends. Most of the remaining grading was completed, but the tunnel proved impractically difficult to complete, and the railroad was given up as a failure in 1895.
Part of the grade from New Germantown to Big Spring was later used by the Perry Lumber
Perry Lumber
The Perry Lumber Company was an early 20th century company which owned timberland in Perry County, Pennsylvania.The company was organized by Harrisburg businessmen about 1900. By December 1901, they had acquired eleven tracts of forested land near the border with Franklin County...
Company for a 3 foot (0.9144 m) gauge logging railroad from 1900 to 1905. Much of the grading is now preserved as hiking trails in Big Spring State Park
Big Spring State Park (Pennsylvania)
Big Spring State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Toboyne Township, Perry County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is on Pennsylvania Route 274, southwest of New Germantown. Big Spring State Park is a hiking and picnic area...
and Tuscarora State Forest
Tuscarora State Forest
Tuscarora State Forest is a Pennsylvania state forest in Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry District #3. The main office is located in Blain in Perry County, Pennsylvania in the United States....
. The north portal of the tunnel is still visible, but fenced off.