The 1914 railroad building project entailed construction
of three tunnels and more than 30 bridges.
According to Bryan Seip of the Montour Railroad
Historical Society, “It was estimated by engineers building
the Montour Railroad in 1913 that about three million
dollars would be required for the construction of the new
railroad, including $120,000 for the purchase of the rightof-way properties from local landowners.”
Seip goes on to say that from 1913 to 1914, much
excavation was needed to lay the track on its “winding
route” that did not include very many completely
straight sections of track. Even the tunnels were curved,
like the one near Hill Station. He said that the largest
bridge, of the many that were built, was a 962-foot steel
viaduct at McDonald.
Presently, work is expected to begin soon to
reconstruct the Library bridge viaduct over Route
88 in South Park Township. With the help of state
and federal grants, the rehabilitation of that bridge
is expected to cost $2.25 million. Another bridge in
Peters that traverses Valley Brook Road is expected
to begin construction this year at a cost of $1.5
million.
The year 2014 will be a year to look to the
future when the Montour Trail eventually hooks
up to the Great Allegheny Passage over the
mountains to Cumberland, Md.
When walking or biking on the trail, it will
also be a good year to reflect on the locomotives
and trains of the past centu