Information / Education

Travel Corner

  • January 2025
  • BY MARY MELHORN

RAILFAN WEEKEND

It was 20 years ago in September that Bruce and I moved my son, Lucian, into his freshman dorm room at Kent State University and set out to explore some “Train Lovers” places. We were celebrating that anniversary with a getaway weekend when we visited the Cassandra Overlook, the Gallitzin Tunnels and the Tunkhannock Rail Viaduct. What fun we had.

The Cassandra Overlook is a place that is renowned in rail-fan circles, providing a stunning overlook of a straight-away section of the old Pennsylvania main line. Located in Cambria County, Pennsylvania it is halfway between the cities of Altoona and Johnstown. It provides a perfect place to soak in the sun while taking in an endless parade of trains on triple tracks.

Trains run through the Gallitzin tunnels 24 hours a day and are part of Norfolk Southern’s main line through the Allegheny Mountains in Western Pennsylvania. They were completed in 1902 by the Pennsylvania Railroad as part of the cross-state route that includes the nearby famous Horseshoe Curve.

The Tunkhannock Viaduct, also known as the Nicholson Bridge, was built by the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad (D&LW) in 1912, and it was completed, dedicated and ready for use in November of 1915. It was considered one of the true Wonders of the World. It is a massive 2,375 foot long reinforced concrete bridge that was built with double track, and thus can carry 2 trains at a time. This remarkable feat was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.

Until we travel again by planes, trains, or automobiles, may the railfan’s desire to hear that “clickety-clack, rumbling down the track” live on!