Another great video! This ex Philadelphia and Reading Railroad tunnel was abandoned after the Reading relocated a bend in the river - basically cutting it off- in order to move both the north and southbound tracks to the same side of the river. The relocation was an engineering marvel of the time and eliminated the tunnel and a bridge (two bridges? can't recall). The former riverbed is evident near the tunnel and you can get to the portal you visited by exiting the trail you were on (ex Pennsylvania Railroad Schuylkill Branch) on the other side of the highway bridge you passed under. You walk along the former river bank to the tunnel. The south end of the tunnel is easy to get to by walking up the abandoned roadbed where it branches off from the still very active railroad which is now the Reading and Northern. Best to visit in the late fall or the winter.
When you drive on Route 61 north, before you enter Port Clinton, you cross over the old RoW and the north portal of the tunnel. This tunnel was taken out of service in 1924, when the Reading Company diverted the Schuylkill River and took away crossing the river via a bridge and going through the tunnel, Now they just go around the edge of the mountain. in through the village of Kernsville. The local used as a mushroom house.
Love your vids, you're my favorite TH-cam content provider. Just wanted to kindly mention about the easements and the "no tresspassing" signs - don't worry about being arrested, the bigger concern is the property owners getting upset and revoking the easement. I know of one place that had easements for a state trail - year after year, property owners complained to the DNR about people going on their property, littering and arguing with the property owners about their right to be there - the DNR listened but didn't do anything, so they banded together and pulled the easements. Now the state has a trail and no rights to use it, a sad situation for those who did enjoy and use it legally. You're not the arguing and littering type, but the going off trail really sours the owners on their allowances with the DNR.
The other end is an easy hike but go during a dry spell. The former railroad bed is flooded normally. There is also some remains of at least one bridge abutment from the pre-river relocation route. Lots of good Schuylkill navigation company history around the area as well. Love your videos. Same kind of exploring I love to do...in cooler less weedy weather.
Pulpit rock tunnel was a Part of the old Pennsylvania Railroad 's Schuylkill Branch the tunnel is blocked off cause it is structurally unsafe!!. I do the same thing you do but I mainly explore abandoned Anthracite mines and Railroads within the same are. big fan of your videos! take care!
hey can you give me some advice on anthracite mines? dm me on instagram if you have one @asbestosjunkie, im from sepa about 45 mins from coal region in pa
here in wv there is a rail line along 61 that has lots of briges and tunnels and train still runns on the old rail line from time to time cool vedio by the way
so did you explore up the old track in the opposite direction from the tunnel, does it link up to the footpath you were on before you left the highway?
Another great video! This ex Philadelphia and Reading Railroad tunnel was abandoned after the Reading relocated a bend in the river - basically cutting it off- in order to move both the north and southbound tracks to the same side of the river. The relocation was an engineering marvel of the time and eliminated the tunnel and a bridge (two bridges? can't recall). The former riverbed is evident near the tunnel and you can get to the portal you visited by exiting the trail you were on (ex Pennsylvania Railroad Schuylkill Branch) on the other side of the highway bridge you passed under. You walk along the former river bank to the tunnel. The south end of the tunnel is easy to get to by walking up the abandoned roadbed where it branches off from the still very active railroad which is now the Reading and Northern. Best to visit in the late fall or the winter.
Route 61 was a crazy road. Glad you didn't get hit.
When you drive on Route 61 north, before you enter Port Clinton, you cross over the old RoW and the north portal of the tunnel. This tunnel was taken out of service in 1924, when the Reading Company diverted the Schuylkill River and took away crossing the river via a bridge and going through the tunnel, Now they just go around the edge of the mountain. in through the village of Kernsville. The local used as a mushroom house.
Love your vids, you're my favorite TH-cam content provider. Just wanted to kindly mention about the easements and the "no tresspassing" signs - don't worry about being arrested, the bigger concern is the property owners getting upset and revoking the easement. I know of one place that had easements for a state trail - year after year, property owners complained to the DNR about people going on their property, littering and arguing with the property owners about their right to be there - the DNR listened but didn't do anything, so they banded together and pulled the easements. Now the state has a trail and no rights to use it, a sad situation for those who did enjoy and use it legally. You're not the arguing and littering type, but the going off trail really sours the owners on their allowances with the DNR.
Thanks
You can tell it's a small tunnel. The early locomotives and cars were a lot smaller
The other end is an easy hike but go during a dry spell. The former railroad bed is flooded normally. There is also some remains of at least one bridge abutment from the pre-river relocation route. Lots of good Schuylkill navigation company history around the area as well. Love your videos. Same kind of exploring I love to do...in cooler less weedy weather.
Pulpit rock tunnel was a Part of the old Pennsylvania Railroad 's Schuylkill Branch the tunnel is blocked off cause it is structurally unsafe!!. I do the same thing you do but I mainly explore abandoned Anthracite mines and Railroads within the same are. big fan of your videos! take care!
Thanks
this was a Reading railroad tunnel. pennsy is the trail on the ridge
yes you are correct! I thought that was a PRR tunnel. this tunnel is the P&Rrr in the 1830's era constructed. info by Steve G.
hey can you give me some advice on anthracite mines? dm me on instagram if you have one @asbestosjunkie, im from sepa about 45 mins from coal region in pa
here in wv there is a rail line along 61 that has lots of briges and tunnels and train still runns on the old rail line from time to time cool vedio by the way
Cliff, pre-GPS?
In the winter time you can see the tunnel from 61
Have you visited the Vosburg tunnel? North of Tunkhannock, PA on the Susquehanna.
Not yet, I just looked up, might try to get there someday
Just an interesting fact, at one point the tunnel was used for a mushroom growing operation.
What kind of mushrooms?
Does the other end exist?
I've been told that the other end is collapsed. I'm thinking about returning to check for myself
so did you explore up the old track in the opposite direction from the tunnel, does it link up to the footpath you were on before you left the highway?
I google earthed it and got my answer.
I was told that the southern end is collapsed.
How long it that tunnel from one end to the other?
1,637 feet
For the love of God, Montresor!
❤️👍🏼✅cool
Should have gone to the other end it's not sealed