Bow PA

on the Western PA ( northern ) Division of the PRR

The Western PA branch of the PRR splits off from the Pennsy original Main Line at Blairsville Junction east of Blairsville. It runs to the west - northwest and follows the Conemaugh and Kiskiminetas Rivers west to the Allegheny River.

It actually followed the original Pennsylvania Main Line Canal and used much of its rights-of-way. New alignments were done in the late 1800's and early 1900's with new tunnels and bridges. A final modern alignment was done in the late 1940's to raise the railroad bed above the new higher floodstage of the Conemaugh Reservoir.

The second tunnel at Bow PA, east of Tunnelton and west of Livermore, is used as an overflow for the dam which is just downstream. Thus the West Penn bike trail will never go thru it. This view is from the west side which is plugged..

This is a 1902 USGS map showing the location of Bow PA. The alignment between Bow and Snyder to the east is the original Main Line. It would be straightened and then totally replaced in the 1940's.

This 1867 county map seems a bit distorted; it must be when they estimated and hand-drew the maps.

This is an 1993 USGS aerial that gives you the big picture and shows all three alignments.

This is the eastern portal of the Bow tunnel.

This 2009 birds eye view shows the first PRR bridge ( and canal ) remnants marked in blue, the 2nd bridge with lots of debris from flooding, and the current PRR alignment.

These are the original PRR bridge abutments seen on the left above.

This is a view on the west side of the hill away from Bow. The old 1907 stone bridge co-exists with its 1947 brother.

This excellent shot by STG Boy no1 captures all three PRR bridges.

And one more....

east of Bow, west of Livermore

The water is low enough to reveal these piers.

A side of the bridge you rarely see unless you are brave.

When you are on top of these, it is amazing how sturdy they feel. Built to last...