Howard Tunnel
Posted by: 
deano1943
N 39° 53.500 W 076° 44.964
18S E 350431 N 4417198
Howard Tunnel was built in 1836-37, and was made wider to accomodate two trains in 1865.
Howard Tunnel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Waymark Code: WMDBR
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 05/23/2006
Views: 362
When the railroad was built it ran into a ninty foot high barrier of solid slate which was about 275 foot thick. A young civil engineer and mining specialist by the name of Howard suggested a tunnel right through the 275 foot thick wall, which is precisly what the railroad did. The tunnel was named for the young Mr. Howard.
In the railroads last years of operation it was owned by Northern Central Railroad Company. The railroad was used for freight and passenger trains.
Today, the tunnel is part of the Heritage Rail Train County Park which starts in York City, York County, Pennsylvania and continues for 21 miles to the Maryland State Line where it joins Maryland's Rail Trail for another 20 miles.
Construction: Brick or concrete block
Condition: Good
Current status: Recreation Path
Original Use: Passenger Train
The "Other End": N 39° 53.463 W 076° 45.016
Tunnel Length: 275.00
Suggested Parking Area: N 39° 54.739 W 076° 45.354
Terrain: 
Website: [Web Link]
Rail Status: Not listed
Date Built: Not listed
Date Abandoned: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
Tell of your visit. Did you find anything of interest? Unique photos are encouraged.