Radebaugh PA

two tunnels west of Greensburg on the PRR Main Line

Browsing a book of photos on the late 19th century Pennsylvania RR, STG Boy no.2 came across a photo of the original Radebaugh tunnel. Its portals are gone, but we assume it is still under there. Then STG Boy no.2 noticed on this 1906 USGS map that a second tunnel was marked. This did not make a lot of sense given the 1900 efforts to straighten, widen and eliminate tunnels. But additional research proved this was indeed true. The old tunnel handled one track and the new tunnel two. Then in 1965 the new tunnel was clear cut.

A bonus in this 1906 map is the future West Penn Railways streetcar line ( not yet consolidated ) and the future Lincoln Highway ( not yet commissioned ).

This is the original Radebaugh tunnel in 1890.

This 1986 USGS map shows the old alignment and the post-1965 cut..

This postcard tells the two tunnel story clearly.

This 2007 aerial map shows the tunnel portals and the 1965 cut.. Upcoming photos are on Mt. Thor Road.

This is a bird's eye view of the east portal.

This is the new PRR alignment circa 1900 over Mt. Thor Road when tracks were raised to eliminate crossings.

This is the old alignment over Mt. Thor Road.

This is a bird's eye view of the above ( different seasons ! )

Here is a USGS document tellign where survey markers are located. It notes new and old tunnel.

And its source document. Please someone tell me, what is "spirit leveling" ?????