Gallitzin Tunnel

Gallitzin Tunnels
Conrail 6169 leads a westbound train through the west portal of the Gallitzin Tunnel in 1993. At right, the west portal of the Allegheny Tunnel.
Overview
LocationGallitzin, Pennsylvania
Coordinates40°28′53″N 78°33′01″W / 40.48139°N 78.55028°W / 40.48139; -78.55028
StatusGallitzin Tunnel out of service 1995; Allegheny Tunnel (two tracks) and New Portage Tunnel (one track) in service
Operation
OpenedGallitzin Tunnel 1904, Allegheny Tunnel 1854, New Portage Tunnel 1855
ClosedGallitzin Tunnel 1995, New Portage Tunnel 1857-1890
OwnerNorfolk Southern Railway
OperatorNorfolk Southern Railway
Technical
Track lengthGallitzin Tunnel 3,612 feet, Allegheny Tunnel 3,612 feet, New Portage Tunnel 1,620 feet
No. of tracksGallitzin Tunnel 0 (1 track 1904-1995), Allegheny Tunnel 2 (1 track 1904-1995), New Portage Tunnel 1 (2 tracks 1898-1971)
Track gauge4 feet, 8 and one-half inches (56.5 inches)
Highest elevationGallitzin and Allegheny Tunnels 2,167 feet (at west tunnel portals), New Portage Tunnel 2,198 feet (at AR tower west of west tunnel portal)

The Gallitzin Tunnels in Gallitzin, Pennsylvania, are a set of three adjacent tunnels through the Allegheny Mountains in western Pennsylvania. They were completed in 1854, 1855, and 1902 by the Pennsylvania Railroad as part of the cross-state route that includes the nearby Horseshoe Curve to the east. Their ownership has since passed to Penn Central Transportation Company, then to Conrail, and most recently to the Norfolk Southern Railway. The tunnels are currently used by Norfolk Southern freight trains and Amtrak Pennsylvanian passenger trains.