The Abandoned Pheonixville Railroad Tunnel

[@LeonardFShanerJR]

Ok, Wondering Woodsman. Let me introduce my self, my name is Leonard Shaner. I am one of the historians in this area of Chester, Montgomery, Berks and Schuylkill Counties. The reason the Fairview Tunnel collapsed is because of an 18 wheeler was parked above. Now the rail you saw poking down from the top was placed there by the PRR to help support the roof from collapsing. It fell through when the tunnel collapsed in the early 1990s. You and I should go out exploring together I know this area pretty well. Don't forget to check out my videos too.

[@chamilton9182]

Very cool indeed!! Thank you for taking us to historical places we'd otherwise not be able to visit. Great job. I'm grateful for you going through the trouble to film this for us. Love it!!!

[@roncooper8666]

Thanks for taking us on another adventure. The brickwork in that tunnel is impressive. Especially considering it was done over 130 years ago. We take so many things for granted without giving pause to consider how they got there in the first place. It's hard to imagine how much work went into constructing a tunnel like that. Burrowing thru the earth and then lining it with bricks...truly amazing! Thanks, again!

[@jonbryn4]

130 years ago is almost during living memory, in 1883, life wasnt much different,lol

[@DesignsbyDonBrown]

@@jonbryn4 www.vda.de/en/topics/innovation-and-technology/timeline/timeline-innovations.html

[@ButThatsShacksTrain]

@@jonbryn4 life wasn't much different?

[@hiworldstephensonultranate290]

Gee ur really in d thick of things tr i once walked thru a rail tunnel n over lovely ol Bridge with a group goodness in d 90s tks bringing memories bk Brian

[@steamgent4592]

This is the PRR or Pennsylvania Railroads Phoenix tunnel on their Schuylkill Secondary from Philadelphia to Reading to Wilkes Barre Pennsylvania. I used to walk this tunnel alot in the late 1980's to early 90's. It was in beautiful condition in those days and the rails were still in. Not just in the tunnel. There is another tunnel from this line up in Pottsville. One end is sealed the other is open. Just like Pulpit Rock tunnel. Another tunnel you haven't explored is alongside rte 11 before Nicholson viaduct north of Clark's summit from the old Lackawanna mainline. Another to check out is east of Catawissa also a former Reading tunnel.

[@greenlawnfarm5827]

You have to be careful cause my friend said he saw 2 bears in there.

[@rosemarykasper4001]

Enjoyed the trek to and through the rail tunnel! Thanks for sharing!

[@sandraplonka5225]

Wonderful adventure, thank you.

[@angiewatson6023]

Another great installment from the Wandering Woodsman! Love the collapsed part. Just so you'll know, I'm on vacation down on Saint Simon's Island off the southeastern coast of Georgia, and this was a welcome break from such. As always, great job WW! Oh yeah, Mark Cooper says hello!

[@sandracatalfamo8926]

Thanks for another adventure. I have some family in Phoenixville, so I actually know where this town is.. But had no idea about the tunnel. thanks for sharing.

[@cristelarodriguez2707]

Is so excited walking with you thru the tunnel , the exploring was so cool indeed, the scenario in the walk going back with the trees was beautiful... thought the climate inside was cold but was the other way around, you say it was steamy hot ... thank you , I had a good walk with you . Be safe , Adios.

[@577buttfan]

Always creeps me out and builds Adrenalin when i walk up to a massive dark hole and hear the water running. Nice out and back Cliff!!!!

[@greenlawnfarm5827]

Theres bears in there that live in it.

[@lincolnmaniac]

never knew that was there. thank you for sharing!

[@karenpacker8862]

Loved the tunnel and the scencery looking out.

[@RandomVideoCircus]

Hey my Dude!! I was here last year and made a video!! This place was really neat!! Like I said, you and I are gonna run into each other sometime exploring. Great Video!!!

[@nickmad887]

Thanks Cliff its like walking with you.

[@oldenweery7510]

Thanks for a cool RR tunnel exploration. It IS cool that they left the track intact with the rails still spiked in place, though I don't understand why they didn't "harvest" the rails. Steel weight is figured by the yard and figuring it might be 100#/yd, that would be almost 27 tons of recyclable steel. I Googled it and this tunnel was originally called the Fairview Tunnel, possibly because it runs parallel to Fairview Street. Those niches are called "Refuges" and are there to shelter anyone caught inside when a train unexpectedly comes through. They used to put refuges on railroad trestles, too, platforms at specified distances apart, for the same reason, and if it's a timber trestle, there would probably be red-painted water barrels on the platforms for fire control (file that under "Lotsa Luck, Guys!"). Pretty kewl, Cliff!

[@ericzerkle5214]

Probably not worth the bother after the collapse...

[@magic6405]

I checked this out yesterday. Thanks wandering woodsman.

[@kateclark7250]

Amazing place! Thanks for the adventure!! P.S. like your helmet! Cool!

[@fdation]

The water in there gets deep especially after rain.I almost had to abandon my old 3 wheeler and hike out of it years back.

[@danmathers141]

I'm always amazed no rocks fall at the time you're going through. I'm glad, of course.

[@Lalunabreeze]

Hey, cool. You got your boots w you. Smart. 4:22 beautiful. Great tunnel.

[@nickroy2921]

So cool you found this! I've been looking forever!

[@greenlawnfarm5827]

You have to be careful cause my friend said theres bears that live in it.

[@daveyjoweaver5183]

So interesting. Can you imagine the smoke and steam inside this tunnel in the old days. I wonder what speeds they traveled? Thanks much ans hope to see you in Litizt. DaveyJO

[@dv9238]

Another very good video :) Like !

[@Brianrockrailfan]

Great video 👍

[@janecharlton6780]

Very cool railway tunnel . Thanks .

[@brendakrieger7000]

Love railroad stuff❤🚂

[@katiefyock9607]

Reminds me of Flinderation Tunnel in Salem, West Virginia. There's a graveyard over the tunnel and some of the caskets are starting to come through the roof of the tunnel. A loong time ago two men were working in the tunnel and a train came. One man was able to scramble into one of the cubby holes on the side of the tunnel. The other man was cut in half by the train and of course died.

[@stevieb.1473]

I see the gouges in the railroad ties at around 9:36. I'm wondering if a train derailed in the tunnel or did the RR cut the ties for drainage..

[@greg33770]

tracks still inside....cool....i always try to imagine what it was like back then.

[@Landaux]

A lot of times you can see dates engraved on the side of the rails to give you an idea of when the rails were placed I hope you checked out the next time you go in there😎👍

[@jimmytheyoutubewatcher8002]

Chances are youre right about the "nooks". Where i live, the train stations have them at the platforms, but theyre horizontal so you can roll into it. Theyre for workmen or people who find themselves stuck on the tracks.

[@TickledFunnyBone]

Very cool that the rail and that tunnel still exist. I can see a few things i would want to check out there that you didnt.

[@jeffreydove821]

Wow! A landmark that isn't covered in spray paint. That's a miracle in itself.

[@AbandonedExplorationUrbex1979]

It's interesting to see old train tunnels! 🚂

[@577buttfan]

That collapse looks like most of the other ones,just all the man made tunnel liner came down with a couple rocks,looks like solid bed rock up there!!

[@jeffgentle6497]

Cool video...I think the cut always might have been some sort of ventilation shaft. I can see why you and Jay from JP Videos are tight. You do some cool content! Thanks for sharing!🚂🚃🚃🚃

[@paulschumann9746]

Been there in the winter when it was very cold. There were still spots that didn’t freeze.

[@RusticVentures]

That is super cool! 1884, wow!

[@deansimons3194]

You really have brass BAIIS. THANKS great one

[@bbo40]

Closed that tunnel off in the 90s because they were afraid it was going to collapse on its own and take the road that is on top of it with it. Been back there a few times in the late 80's ; I used to work right off the trail down by the Cromby power plant

[@crushhardtack2870]

Cool old tunnel.

[@jeffreyswilsonsr5200]

were did you get you boots? and style you ordered???

[@jonbryn4]

Looks like they over blasted thru, and the plans called for a smaller scale, doomed from the beginning, nice vid

[@kathyb799]

Curious about it being called Fairview . Does it come out somewhere in Fairview village?

[@coldblue9mm]

I see you broke out the caving helmet! Yeah buddy! Light that tunnel up!

[@emeraldsoundproductions]

Was in this tunnel in 2017 doing some geocaching. The collapse was from heavy commercial trucks on Filmore Street. They had to put a weight Limit on that street due to the collapse.

[@porkturtle8321]

Watch the video- he talks about this.

[@jonathanrinda7171]

I have walked the Schuylkill River Trail many times in this area. He's starts at Mowere RD Trailhead and walks West toward Spring City. The abandoned tracks here is connected to the main Norfolk Southern freight train line which was once used to be Reading Railroad passenger train. My station would be Royersford if I had Service but is instead just Norfolk Southern running the line. This abandoned track ran to Devault. It's better know as Great Valley. It connects to the main line where trains run from Philadelphia to Reading and even further on West to Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. The abandoned track shown in this video end just past Phoenixville Pike and PA 29 intersection heading away from Phoenixville. I think I remembered in 90's I saw oil cars sitting in Great Valley. So must of just became inactive around 2000 if not before.

[@ButThatsShacksTrain]

This tunnel did belong to the PRR, however it was the Schuylkill Division mainline, starting at near Fairmont Park in Philadelphia, and running all the way to Wilkes-Barre. It was NOT part of the Reading railroad, it was constructed as direct competition to the Reading. The two rail lines all but parallel each other, and is several areas, such as Pottstown, were within hundreds of feet of each other. Also, the line going into Devault was a branch of the mainline, not the main itself. When Conrail was formed in 1976, combining the Reading and the Penn Central ( former PRR) this line was deemed redundant and soon placed out of service. The line into Devault was still active, now using a connection onto the former Reading at Perkiomen Junction near Oaks, until early 2000's. The "oil cars" you speak of were actually tank cars of corn sweetener, the last active customer on the Devault branch. When that customer moved, the Devault branch was abandoned.

[@tomgorney8868]

GREAT VIDEO,was there vents in the roof to exhaust the smoke?

[@SueGirling68]

Hi, with the old railway tunnels they did put those cutaways in there along the sides for people to stand in if a train came through. I think it may be a good idea to let someone know that the ceiling in there has collapsed in places, because you don't want it turning into a sink hole and someone getting hurt. A brilliant adventure, thank you. x

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

They know about it. There is a road above the tunnel that goes over that spot. They now have a weight limit on that road.

[@SueGirling68]

@@thewanderingwoodsman7227 cool, at least they can keep an eye on the area to make sure it remains safe.

[@Tom-cy5em]

Good video cool old tunnel I wonder how long it is , thanks for taking us along be careful out there that tunnel looked pretty scratchie.

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

About 800 feet

[@lindajewell472]

You ever come to Mi on a visit the Mackinaw city?

[@hiworldstephensonultranate290]

Well doneW. W. gt to see rail s still tr if only those who worked hard onthis cud talk!!

[@jeffryheintz9405]

We call them Swampers or Muck Boots in Northern Wisconsin.

[@debhouckscraftycottage9288]

Thanks.Another one about 15 minutes from me - Phoenixville. Wonder why so much water is dripping on a sunny day. Had it rained the day before? TFS

[@garnetbarton3313]

Glad to see you didn't decide to shimmy up that rail and crawl around up there. lol It is a cool tunnel. Makes me mad to see trash and tires thrown out and spoiling the beauty of the landscape.

[@OutdoorsWithShawn]

I wonder why they left that section of tracks?

[@danmathers141]

How big were the engines in those days?

[@edwardmounsey9208]

I’m curious to know why they pulled the tracks outside the tunnel but not inside? Nice video, thanks for posting.

[@paulschumann9746]

There is a geocache there as well

[@jonathanturcan5819]

Look at 7:51 look at that face in the whole next to the white rock. You can see it's face it's eye it's even showing you it's teeth alitle bit.. they blocked half the whole with the bricks leaving the other half open to be able to look through to see out in case something or someone is coming.

[@lindamccaughey8800]

I am also pleased there is no graffiti. Thanks for taking me along I loved it. Tho I feel it’s rather dangerous

[@CheapestGamer]

Is that another possibly abandoned tunnel I see off in the distance at the end of the video?

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

not likely

[@cheerbearsue]

That’s a really cool really neat place but for some reason your camera quality is lower than usual. Is there anyway that you can fix that? I can’t see all of the details in the vines, leaves, rocks and the water like I can in your other videos. Your videos are really cool and this is not criticism but just a friendly note from a fan. 😃

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

Sorry, not sure what happened..

[@exploringwithgriz2079]

I will fill you in on a lol unknown fact about this tunnel... A freind of mine lives down the road from here he's got a 6x6 that we drove up the trails to the tunnel and he explained to me that the cave in actually had taken place on the grounds of an old stoneless cemetery and they had a comapny come in to remove the bones and they re filled the hole with concrete but as from your new video I see that the patch job had now also fell in too...

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

That might be a different tunnel. There is no cemetery above this one. Although I have heard this story before..

[@exploringwithgriz2079]

I'm sorry man, I thought this was the same place... Ill have to ask Mr. Steve where he had taken us...

[@jeffreyswilsonsr5200]

helment and light info??? i like it link?

[@R.C.1161]

If your going to walk threw that kind of stuff, a stout stick may be a worthy investment. Tetanus update comes in a close 2nd.

[@jebrc]

thats my hometown

[@rolandlively8818]

That's next to lock 60!

[@JPVideos81]

360p footage?

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

Not sure what happened.......

[@Friskee62]

360p resolution, what happened?

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

Not sure....

[@VADERGAMER2016]

Wow 267 likes and no dislikes! Nice! 😁👍

[@salyman1]

Cech republik stejný bordel jako u vás.

[@j.a.3993]

It's spelled Phoenixville.

[@porkturtle8321]

Relax. He has a typo every now and then.

[@walterlangston4253]

hate the ground nest when you run over one with a lown mower it dose not end well

[@BRZZ-xw4hd]

evil suck up the light !!!!

[@577buttfan]

God is light.

[@petegregory517]

Me: cave in? Me: yep Me: outta here

[@johnmclaughlin6672]

It's gay street.