Ligonier Valley Railroad

Ligonier Valley Railroad
Overview
HeadquartersLigonier, Pennsylvania
Reporting markLGV
LocaleWestmoreland County, Pennsylvania
Dates of operation1877–1952
SuccessorNone except for 3 miles (5 km) used by the Pennsylvania Railroad, which was later abandoned
Technical
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Previous gauge
originally 3 ft (914 mm) gauge
Length15.9 miles (25.6 km)
1917 map of the railroad

The Ligonier Valley Railroad (reporting mark LGV)[1] connected the communities of Latrobe and Ligonier, Pennsylvania, approximately 10 miles (16 km) apart, between 1877 and 1952. For much of its length, the railroad ran parallel to Loyalhanna Creek in a scenic mountain gorge. In addition to the Latrobe-Ligonier line, there was an extension to the coal mining communities of Wilpen and Fort Palmer to the north of Ligonier, as well as several shorter spurs serving coal mines.

The railroad was owned and operated by the Mellon family of banking fame. Freight included coal, coke, lumber, and quarry stone.

  1. ^ Railway Equipment and Publication Company, The Official Railway Equipment Register, June 1917, p. 292