Gallitzin to Hollidaysburg

Link: http://a-r.us/63r

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States: Pennsylvania
Railroads: CR, NPRR, PC, PRR

The New Portage Railroad

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Muleshoe Curve Bridge over old US 22, in Gallitzin. Photo by Mike Palmer, May 2005.

This abandoned railway line was initially constructed in the 1850s by the State of Pennsylvania as the New Portage Railroad, to bypass the incline planes used on the Allegheny Portage Railroad. It was acquired and then abandoned by the parallel Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) in 1857, since the PRR had opened its mainline through the area in 1854, and routed all traffic on its own route.

In 1904, this line was reopened by the Pennsylvania RR as a freight bypass route. To distinguish it from the other PRR mainline, named for its horseshoe curve, this line was affectionately called "The Mule Shoe Line". It remained in service through the Penn Central years (1968-76) and was abandoned by Conrail in 1981. Freight business had declined, and part of the route near Gallitzin was used for a realigned US Route 22.

Thanks to Mike Palmer for contributing information about this route.

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Is the New Portage able to be ridden by mountain bike from the summit to the Muleshoe bridge where the line crosses old route 22? I understand the line connects with the NPS 6 to 10 trail at this point.

Yes, the New Portage railway does connect directly to the 6 - 10 trail. You can't ride directly from the summit onto the NPR, rather, you can start just below the Lemon House on old 22. There is a good-sized dirt road that runs from old 22 north towards new 22. Follow this dirt road out through the new stripmining. You will come to a power line after about 1.5 miles and new 22 and NFS mainline will be directly in front of you. Turn right and follow the power line for approx. 1/4 mile and it will intersect the NPR. Turn right and follow NPR to the Mule Shoe overpass and 6 - 10 trail.

i could have sworn i had seen abandoned rail on the rail line.am i seeing things?please let me know if there are any sections of abandoned rail.thank you.

Gallitzin to Hollidaysburg

The New Portage Railroad

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