NATIONAL TUNNEL HISTORY
Montour Railroad was established in 1877 to transport coal from southwestern Pennsylvania mines to regional steel mills, adding to Pittsburgh’s steel-making reputation.
National Tunnel, named for the nearby mines, is the longest of Montour Trail’s three tunnels at 630 feet. The railroad grade was uphill from either direction; it crested the top of the hill inside the tunnel. The railroad continued to use National Tunnel until the end of rail service in 1980.
Credit Gene P. Schaeffer
Credit Gene P. Scaheffer
Credit Greg Corcoran
ABANDONED RAILROAD 1980-1989
In the early 1980s, nature began to reclaim railroad property. In 1989, Montour Trail Council purchased the right-of-way. National Tunnel was put into trail use three years later as part of the first Montour Trail segment opened for public use.
Credit Gene P. Schaeffer
Freeze-Thaw damage
National Tunnel is a wet structure that iced over in winter. Montour Trail volunteers installed freezer-type doors at both ends to protect the inside from further ice damage; the sheltered entrances now keep the tunnel’s internal temperature from freezing. Prior to door installation, decades of repetitive freeze-thaw cycles damaged the concrete lining, resulting in today’s structural instability and tunnel closure.
Greer tunnel experience led to National solution
Around 2020, National Tunnel’s sister structure Greer began to show its age. A major rehabilitation project included installing a strongly reinforced east portal, drainage upgrades, and a steel liner and ceiling for the eastern half of Greer. A similar solution will be applied to stabilize National Tunnel, at a cost of $2.75 million.
NATIONAL TUNNEL work in progress
WE NEED YOUR HELP
To ensure a quick start to our fundraising efforts, a group of anonymous but generous trail supporters have agreed to match all individual or family donations up to $1,000 received before July 1.
There are many other ways that you can help us raise funds for this Montour Trail link . For example, you might partner with us beyond a personal donation, Learn some of the possibilities using this email template.
Montour Trail
