Abandoned Tunnels along the South PA Railroad

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[@patriciavincent1569]

Thank You for taking us for a hike with you, I am 73 years old and handicapped so I can't hike myself any more and enjoy being in the woods so I am enjoying your videos.

[@slocumb1270]

Italian stone masons did amazing work. Another great video!

[@kateclark7250]

This was a great adventure. Thank you so much for letting me tag along.

[@UrbanDKaye]

That Italian stonework is amazing. Each block hand-cut to fit.

[@MultiPetercool]

25:29 love that Keystone on the top of that arch. The Sicilians were incredible craftsmen.

[@petemaxwell8046]

Thanks Cliff. In the 60s I drove through those turnpike tunnels several times but never knew their history. A fascinating story.

[@1921Avery]

I love old stone work That is why I love your videos , Keep them coming Thanks

[@BigPete7407]

Outstanding video Cliff, once again thanks for walking for me where I can't. I was thinking the same thing when you mentioned the fact that the good work never was put to good use. It really appreciate the efforts and talents of someone who is good at what they do. Thanks for sharing it.

[@martyjones9374]

Just Wow!! Loved the first tunnel you walked through, the water was so clear. That 2nd tunnel was just incredible!! Such amazing stone work. The shot you got at the end was just Beautiful!! Loved all the ferns on that end as well. The Italian stone masons really knew their craft. So much fun, thanks for taking me with. 🥰

[@user-David-Alan]

That was amazing. One continuous arch with keystone, for the whole length of the culvert. I hope they preserve it. Thanks for sharing. Just beautiful.

[@drohegda]

In the Arch you see the wedge shaped stone in the middle, which is called the Keystone. The State of Pennsylvania is known by this name "" The Keystone State"" because of its Geographic,Social, Political and economic development of Our Country!

[@karenpacker8862]

Always enjoy the tunnels and the sights and sounds of nature!!!!

[@chriss8206]

German prisoners from ww2 built a lot of our dams and power plants. Cheap or even better free labor.

[@jenniferbutcher8393]

That last tunnel/culvert was truly a masterpiece! 😊

[@rj78productions88]

Those tunnels are still on my bucket list, but will have to add this to it as well. Gotta see that rail history too.

[@debbieblaylock9997]

I love your videos I love history

[@walterlangston4253]

the stone tunnels build by railroads over creeks and streams are cool to see

[@trishg2885]

Definitely..i love seeing them

[@aevalk8369]

It is a bit sad all the work stopped before finishing, but in a way most work doesn't last. It provides food, shelter, clothing etc to the workers and their dependents. Farmers harvest a crop, sell the produce, people eat for a while and it starts all over again. It's a reminder that finding joy and satisfaction in the process of whatever we do is a big part of a living a good life. There will be disappointments, but being out in the woods, strong enough to work hard, the camaraderie with fellow workers, honing skills and hopefully healthy enough to move on to the next job is not really too bad. The bonus is now there are great places for hikers to share the past and enjoy what they did.

[@michellebehr7669]

That's a positive way to look at it.

[@carlavision6143]

Cliff, really enjoyed your awesome and cool video! Absolutely beautiful scenery too! Loved the tunnels!

[@richardbutterfoss2353]

I am enjoying your posts more and more. RWB

[@suzanjournagan1112]

I sure like checking out old tunnels. 👍🌞

[@DJinNJ08830]

Its like the lacawwana cutoff they make a rite away with fill. Amazing what had been acumplished back then no power tools

[@samanthab1923]

DJinNJ08830 There's a guy from NJ that has some good vids on YT about the cut off. Very interesting 😊

[@ClockworksOfGL]

DJinNJ08830 - They did use “power tools” for fill, in the form of train cars loaded with soil. There’s pictures of the Cutoff being constructed, and you can see how they built rickety trestles to dump the dirt over and fill the valleys. Btw, abandoning the Lackawanna was a stupid, stupid move by the state.

[@russelllove5119]

The fence is the old turnpike boundary. From here the railroad is no longer on pike property but now state park grounds.

[@mmmm-gr7xr]

Wonderful walk thru the tunnel of water. The water looked so fresh and clean. I loved the beauty of the rocks. I'm having a wonderful trip out of the city listening to the music of the water. Thank you

[@jaywenger2044]

Thanks again for another great video of Pennsylvania lost history.

[@mkervelegan]

So great to see my home state explored and explained with such expertise and yes, affection for Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth should give Cliff a grant for his explorations and the publicity he provides. The South PA railroad tunnels were single-bore so the other part had to be constructed eventually wherever they used the existing bore, one recalls being stuck in horrendous traffic jams at the tunnels until the 1960s, and turnpike right-of-way from Carlisle west follows the railway. BTW the Amur honeysuckle shrubs are an invasive species.

[@heden1460]

Great video. :) I am on vacation right now. I'm doing better. I went on a little adventure of my own to a cemetary in town. One tombstone looked made of wood. He was a handcart/cradle/coffin maker which made sense why the tombstone looked to be of wood.

[@ClockworksOfGL]

The pipe in the tunnel/culvert *may* have been part of a locomotive water resupply system. Steam engines were thirsty and there’d often be refilling points along the route.

[@tinaandre9905]

I recently found your channel. My husband and I are pure Pennsylvanian's! We live in the Lehigh Valley. You give us so many great ideas of places we can visit. You never run out of places to explore in beautiful Pennsylvania! Thank you for your time and knowledge!

[@LilyWhisperwind]

I agree, that last tunnel view was beautiful!

[@hiworldstephensonultranate290]

hi Woodsman gt location love d trees like pines n really love d coloured earth 'steady as she goes' old irish saying fantastic Wilderness!

[@sharondelaney5346]

Cool tunnels Cliff...Once again I'll leave you to venture through them...I'll watch from the outside..😁👍👍👍

[@sharondelaney5346]

That was an Awesome shot when you were nearing the end of the tunnel💙

[@lindamccaughey6669]

What a beautiful area that was. That last tunnel had beautiful stonework. Having said that I think the other tunnel tho rough it was beautiful too. Thank you so much for taking me along. Please stay safe

[@chelseydeetta2847]

BEAUTIFUL STONE WORK, IT LOOKS EXPENSIVE.

[@heatherk.9937]

The difference in craftsmanship is amazing!

[@raynonabohrer5624]

What an amazing journey you have taken us today! I thank you, thank you from all my heart. For someone who can't get around very much anymore I enjoy your videos very much. God bless you. Lady from Oklahoma.

[@jdexploresfan3628]

Awesome explores Cliff. Seems like those tunnels would be full of bats 🦇. Thanks for sharing your adventures 😃👍

[@janecharlton6780]

That last tunnel so well made , like the view of your silhouette at the end of the tunnel . Would be a cool photo . Thanks for taking us along .

[@brendakrieger7000]

You show us the most amazing places. I enjoy seeing your videos💜 I agree, definitely ashame that it never got completed😓🚂 What a gorgeous stone tunnel😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@Warren_Farms]

Awesome find as always

[@grangranzulaski1084]

Loving all the tunnels and all the history!!

[@dgrombach1]

Exquisite stone work, good craftsmanship. Needs to be under a park of some sort for many to enjoy. Shame it’s lost in the middle of the woods somewhere. Future generations will no nothing of it.

[@bekleidungu.ausrustung7068]

Wow, real nice video. I noticed you have a knack for finding whatever it is you're looking for in your videos.

[@jsalva8817]

Love your videos! Keep up the great work! :)

[@nickmad887]

Always a good video from Cliff.

[@robhubbs6317]

Definitely going there this summer!!!

[@howardtendler9213]

This is similar to The Dunderburg Spiral Railroad in Rockland County in NYS. Also the same time period. There is information on the internet about it.

[@alexandria8255]

awesome hike! loved it all...that lovely culvert was about as high as the underpass we had on the farm for our cows to go under the road from the pasture and woods. ours was one of those steel ones tho.

[@russelllove5119]

When on the work sites you always have to keep in mind that the works was ALLWAYS done on both ends and meeting in the center. A stream crossing, a tunnel, a cut and so on.

[@patriciatinkey2677]

Thanks, you let me see the places I WISH I could go...but am stuck in South Florida. That was a beautiful hike. 🌻

[@trickychristopher]

Thank you Cliff.

[@palmerkane9829]

THIS IS VERY INTERESTING. I LIKE YOUR EXPLORING OLD PLACES AND SOME OF THE HISTORY YOU GET INTO.

[@jackielatham4831]

Such great history to these tunnels Shame the labour that was put in to no avail Learn so much each video Cliff Love hiking with you xx

[@doloresvargas6450]

My father Agustin Prado Vargas worked for Southern Pacific Railroad Company for 35 years.Tony

[@StantonsJourneys]

someday i will adventure out that way to abandoned turnpike. amazing tunnels, looks like they are well built. thank you for sharing

[@micahlamilton5442]

Keep "yapping" Valuable information and interesting!

[@russelllove5119]

When exploring the culverts you almost ignore one feature, the stream bed. You are so focused on the beautiful walls including box culverts that you don’t focus on the stream bed floor which also was lined with stone.

[@bobbykemp4238]

Dude your videos are cool and informative keep it going 😊

[@dgrombach1]

Went through these tunnels many times as a kid. Never would have dreamed that they would be abandoned one day.

[@darlenegood4101]

I thoroughly enjoy your videos. I am waiting with great anticipation for the video that has an animal in it.

[@SueGirling68]

Hi Cliff, that arched tunnel was made really well and is still in great condition. The men must have felt really upset that all of their hard work wouldn't even be used. Still it is a very pretty location, even though it's not raised. Thank you for sharing, xx💖

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

I wonder about that, I would be a bit upset myself...

[@SueGirling68]

@@thewanderingwoodsman7227 💖

[@edithdavis2848]

Love that stone arch, and that tunnel, they don't build things like they use to. Have that Honey Suckle, love the smell, only problem , it is trying to take over the yard since I have not been able to mow for a couple years. Cliff they took pride in their work, their families would or will be proud to know it is still standing. Stone Mason's, were really Stone Masters, or some were. Thank you Cliff for the beautiful tunnel tours. Entrance could be the opening to a Castle. What kind of ferns are those around there?

[@OlWolf1011]

Fun to watch you. Wish someone cataloged trails in Virginia like you do! Nice to have a preview so us folks with old bones can weight whether to chance it or not. 👵🏽

[@russelllove5119]

In this section or most NO bridge but dirt fill across the stream below.

[@chrisgray8774]

Very cool tunnel. I wonder if any of the Sicilians immigrated permanently. I believe the piers in the Susquehanna just north of the South Bridge (I83) are from the South Pennsylvania railroad. A challenging kayak explore.

[@kevinmillin2848]

the small tunnel you saw first was supposely dug to power a waterwheel The story is ,two men dug it one from each end ,one shorter and squatter than the other .Hence the culvert gets tighter as you go .I grew up in this area and have been there often

[@RussellNelson]

Yes, the piers in the Susquehanna are South Penn piers. I venture to guess that they built those so the investors in Harrisburg could see that progress was being made.

[@chelseydeetta2847]

You are amazing to go threw tunnels, man I would be scared to death. So much history is PA. I have learned so much from you your knowledge is just incrediable. Nice when walk way is high up, better view. They used beautiful stone for that water way, beautiful. Also beautiful ferns.I wonder what makes the stone to stay in place for so many years.

[@wampuscat1831]

Been there before computers,they are creepy. Never knew who was hanging /hiding in there'

[@creativebubble.7836]

HEY CLFF,,,,,,,,,at 4.04 you mention that we probably seen ya' other video where you go into the tunnel......GUESS WHAT ??????............I havn't seen it....lol....,,please leave a link for me please + maybe you could also leave links when ever you talk about ya' other shows etc.,,,,,as well HELLO from Sydney.....+ you have a bit of a fan base over here...that's how I got here...THANK YOU cliff and WE all are subbys to your exciting shows.....God Bless you to keep safe..

[@russelllove5119]

It’s also a arch culvert that is 201’ long.

[@nobillclinton]

cool beans! beautiful.

[@tyesoutherland4618]

A beautiful tunnel indeed.

[@cindywho134]

That's pretty cool!

[@russelllove5119]

The reason no partial fill was placed on the west slope of the stream was because the stone for the culvert was dug out of that stream bank. Traces of the cut stone chips are found on that bank.

[@buddylight2191]

My Grandpa use to take me through those tunnels all the time until they moved the road.

[@snowman3630]

These are Awesome culverts and tunnels too shame the rail line never ran , great stone work all the way from Italy Roman arches at least there's a nice stream running through it be a nice picnic area too , what was the history why it stopped, Venture On My Friend We're Riding Shotgun Brother 👌👌

[@dgrombach1]

Archways are really cool

[@katherinekinnaird4408]

I can almost smell the Honeysuckle as well. Maybe get yourself a hardhat. I feel bad for you bumping your head. I like the episode. My father was born in Wilkes Barre.

[@russelllove5119]

NO trestle! I have all the railroad documents!

[@RussellNelson]

4:53 No, the South Penn didn't go bankrupt. The New York Central was backing it, in Pennsylvania Railroad territory, in response to the Pennsylvania building the West Shore Railroad in the Central's area of interest. So, they traded railroads, and the Pennsy didn't need the South Penn, so they immediately stopped work on it.

[@walterjohnson1732]

Thank goodness no graffiti on it. Wonderful hike.

[@RussellNelson]

4:53 No, the South Penn didn't go bankrupt. It got traded by the New York Central to the Pennsylvania Railroad in exchange for the Pennsy's West Shore Railroad in NY. Since the Pennsy didn't need the South Penn, they abandoned it.

[@katiefyock9607]

Hey I live in Franklin County!!! Right next to Fulton County!!!

[@nateshon3eastbroadtoprailr448]

The EBT RR made a branch to meet with the South Penn RR and used that branch to supply materials for the turnpike construction after the SPRR went bankrupt

[@palmerkane9829]

I AM A OLD MAN WITH COPD . I DO GO SOME PLACES IN MY CAR. BUT TO GET TO ANY PLACE LIKE YOU GO WOULD BE INPOSSIBLE

[@tonyghicks01]

Just watching this gave me claustrophobia!!

[@RussellNelson]

10:00 or they simply stopped filling. Also possible that there is a culvert at the bottom which they didn't finish, and so stopped filling.

[@russelllove5119]

They are called culverts. Tunnels go into hills and mountains. If you have to build stone work and fill over they are called culverts!

[@wendyhenschel.]

Cliff could this have been done at a time of economic depression? Where the state would make work for men and young men so they could earn money to feed their families?? It does not make sense to build hills to put railroad tracks on them when they can just build them on flat land and cost less money. Only thing i could think of was one of the depressions.

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

The major investor in this project backed out and pulled his financial support, that's why they stopped working on it.

[@jwcinc12]

you showed some unique things and haven't even seen to the end of the video.

[@michellebehr7669]

This is so amazing finding a lost art and learning about how it came to be. I wonder if anyone would be able to provide information about the men that laboured on this. Was this a way to immigrate and start a new life here in America?

[@wampuscat1831]

It did not go bankrupt .Called Vanderbilts Folly .I He was the mr steel of Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania Rail Road was jacking his shipping cost and refused to come to terms that suited him so he started his own rail road . When they reach the mountains PRR seen he meant to do it. J.D. Rockefiller was brought in and worked out a peace between Vanderbilt and PRR . Vanderbilt then called off his rail road project almost finished like a knife at PRR throut,it was not a waste . He is the one and the same that built the mansion in North Carolina and is the reason for much of the Smokey National Park..That culvert is a summer time copperhead nest.

[@mmmm-gr7xr]

Weird fence. Hope wildlife don't get hung up in it. Would it be vandalism to take it down?

[@williammorrison5678]

Did you see the keystone shape at the ends of the cuverts? Go Sicily.

[@twags62]

That tunnel will outlast any modern design built with concrete.

[@chriss8206]

Do you ever collect morel mushrooms or ginseng. This area looks perfect for both.

[@SchardtCinematic]

Sadly the Abandoned Turnpike looks worse everytime I go there. People really need to stop going up top in the veneration rooms. They should stick to the roadway and the lower side rooms are fine to explore. But every year the weather eats away more concrete. If they dont start putting some money into it other than printing new warning signs and a roll of duct tape to attach the signs. Someone's going to get hurt and before you know it. They will gate up the tunnel entrances and the fun will be gone.

[@maljcross4634]

Some superb still shot opportunities here on this hike.....I don't understand the term "turn pike". Also, if there were to be tracks laid on those proposed rail beds, what would keep them from collapsing? The colverts were just awsome, duck walk through one and a straight upright through the cleanest tunnel I've seen.

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

If you are referring to the tunnels collapsing... they are designed to bear the weight of the dirt and the trains.

[@maljcross4634]

@@thewanderingwoodsman7227 If trains were to go on those rail beds, what would stop them collapsing? I see dirt piled up, but nothing to stop a possible crumbling of the beds if great weight was applied. Would there be big rocks along with the dirt when constructed?

[@RussellNelson]

@@maljcross4634 The fill might settle a bit, yes. Railroads have machines that will pick up the tracks and put rocks under them to make them level again.

[@RussellNelson]

"turn pike" refers to the old toll roads where they would have a pike across the railroad, much the same as the gate on a toll booth now. When you paid, they would turn the pike to let you through.

[@leodavis7524]

👍

[@marcusyarnell99]

This is such a cool explore! How do I get there?

[@marcusyarnell99]

@thewanderingwoodsman

[@MrJrsdts]

Is it possible the railroad bed you are referring to was actually the tailings from the tunnels where they’ve dug out the debris?

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

No, there's plenty of history written about this railroad. And they wouldn't build such beautiful culverts/tunnels for a tailings pile.

[@RussellNelson]

As a general rule, fills are crated from the material removed from cuts. Or the spoils from digging the tunnels.

[@darlenegood4101]

Why do they make a raised bed for the tracks? Seems to be easier and cost effective to just flatten out what is there and lay the tracks.

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

The whole terrain is hills and valleys, you have to cut through hills and raise up the railbed over valleys.

[@paulmentzer7658]

Steam locomotives could not go up to steep a grade, no steeper then 5%, 5 feet up for every 100 feet long. To do that they trued to make any grade as long as possible, long and gradual was the key. Thus a tall grade was needed between hulls to make it one continuous grade.

[@RussellNelson]

Even on flat land, they make a raised bed to help keep the ties dry so they don't rot so quickly.

[@delawarebeachboy]

here is the history ….. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Pennsylvania_Railroad

[@wolverine72.]

Is that the same Turnpike tunnel right off of Route 30