Old Sand Patch Tunnel 1854-1917
USA /
Pennsylvania /
Callimont /
World
/ USA
/ Pennsylvania
/ Callimont
World / United States / Pennsylvania
4777 foot Sand Patch Tunnel, constructed under contract by the Pittsburgh and Connellsville Railroad beginning May 1854. Tunnel construction was suspended three times over the next 17 years and finally completed April 1871. Soft shale was encountered in much of the bore, requiring timber arching for approximately 2200 feet plus stone and brick lining at the portals. Increased train volume, clearance requirements, unstable ground, and ventilation problems forced its closure in 1917, following the opening of the new route in 1913. Now abandoned for 90+ years, both east and west portals have collapsed and the tunnel flooded 5-10' deep. Inside, support timbers and stone and brick linings remain, and at the surface a brick ventilation shaft is found west of the road. The former right of way is to the east, which was also the location of a brick foundry.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates: 39°48'44"N 78°57'26"W
- High Point Lake 24 km
- Savage River Reservoir 34 km
- Fort Ashby, West Virginia 36 km
- Heritage Reservation, Boy Scouts of America 52 km
- Masontown, West Virginia 78 km
- Boy Scouts of America - MAC Camp 87 km
- Longview Power 88 km
- Dolly Sods Wilderness 89 km
- Conveyor 90 km
- Blackwater River Canyon 96 km
- Larimer Township 3.9 km
- Greenville Township 5.5 km
- Northampton Township 7.1 km
- Twin Ridges Wind Farm 8.9 km
- Summit Township 9 km
- Brothersvalley Township 10 km
- Elk Lick Township 15 km
- Black Township 18 km
- Somerset County, Pennsylvania 22 km
- Milford Township 23 km