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Washington Run Railroad

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Washington Run Railroad
Overview
Reporting markWRN
LocalePerry Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania
Dates of operation1899–1931 [1]
Technical
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Length4 miles

The Washington Run Railroad was a branch line in Pennsylvania.[2] Starting at a junction with the B&O Railroad in Layton, the line crossed the Youghiogheny River on a bridge (Layton Bridge) and passed through a tunnel (both built by the A.P. Roberts Construction Company) to continue to Perryopolis. From there, it continued to Star Junction on a track that ran parallel to today's Pennsylvania Route 51.

The railroad had a passenger car that it used for passenger service, but it was primarily a freight carrier, transporting coke produced at Star Junction and coal for the Washington Coal and Coke Company and the Cochran Coal Company. It also served the brickworks in Layton and had a stop in Victoria.

The railroad ceased operation in 1931. Layton Bridge and the adjacent tunnel still serve as a single lane part of Layton Road (State Route 4038).

Washington Run Railroad Tunnel
Overview
LocationPennsylvania
Coordinates40°05′18″N 79°43′54″W / 40.08833°N 79.73167°W / 40.08833; -79.73167
Statuslast train March 12, 1931, converted to automobile use August 1933
Startnear Layton, Pennsylvania
EndPerryopolis, Pennsylvania
Operation
Work begun1899
Constructedrock bored, masonry arch entrances
Closed1931 as a rail tunnel
OwnerWashington Run Railroad
Technical
Length208 feet
No. of trackssingle
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Tremba, John (25 December 2005). "Hidden Architecture". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 7 March 2009.
  2. ^ "Railroads of the Connellsville Coke Region" (PDF). Connellsville, Pennsylvania. May 1914: 52. Retrieved 2009-03-06. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
[edit]
  • Website with postcard view of the railroad tunnel [1]