Good article from wesa fm on the major tunnels: https://www.wesa.fm/development-transportation/2017-08-08/over-the-river-and-through-the-hills-everything-you-never-knew-about-pittsburghs-iconic-tunnels
Carr’s Tunnel
- Location: Near Unity, PA https://maps.app.goo.gl/txjRt7JPFCr3DChG7
- The tunnel access is within a modern, upscale subdivision, which makes access awkward. I was able to spot what looked like a logical point based on the topography, and it seemed okay to park.
- There is a trail leading slightly upgrade from the road, and within a quarter mile, the tunnel can be seen. The closer to the tunnel, the wetter the trail, and closest to the portal, there was mud from side to side of the right of way, and the floor of the tunnel was water-covered.
National Tunnel
- Location: Near Cecil-Bishop on Montour Trail (former Montour Railroad) https://maps.app.goo.gl/FkJKE5h6Q931iGxb8
- The tunnel is about 500 yards east of the Montour Trail McConnell Road trailhead.
Greer Tunnel
- Location: Montour Trail. Walk about 1/2 mile to the west (a right turn from the parking lot to the trail).
- A tunnel on the Wheeling and Lake Erie RR is visible from where the Montour trail crosses Chartiers Creek
Corliss Tunnel
- Location: Corlisss Street at West Carson Street, beneath Norfolk Southern Railway and the PRT West Busway (former PRR Panhandle Division).
- Access by road is easy, but there is no parking in the area except nothbound on Corliss from where the second photo was taken.
- Corliss Street is a cut and cover tunnel. The linked “Time Travel with Tim” video is all about the tunnel and includes construction pictures. https://youtu.be/Fo9rWDV4vGM?si=-wlrrHWaNwzcJTvY
Note the cast iron poles which supported the trolley wire until the west end streetcar lines were closed and dismantled.
Stowe Tunnel
- Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/YU34oSEfNUYpd1ts6
- No parking is convenient. Ridge Avenue, near the south portal, is a good option.
- This is a 1909 structure and it has some rough history. A good article: https://www.unionprogress.com/2023/03/30/the-tragic-and-troubled-history-of-stowes-tunnel/#:~:text=The%20tunnel%20aged%20poorly.,living%20north%20of%20Norwood%20Hill.
Barry Street Tunnel
- Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gcj3GwRVo7JRCKUn8
- The view from Chartiers Ave. toward the north portal is better than at the south portal.
Fort Pitt Tunnel
- Location (south portal): https://maps.app.goo.gl/tNUMeX6SVsN8WyZR6
- The tunnel is best viewed from the Parkway West at either portal.
Elders Run Tunnel
- Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bpafMJ77jCD7PwNE6
- The tunnel appears to be part of the 1884 alignment, as it does not line up with the West Penn Trail, which is assumed to be on the 1907 alignment.
Layton Tunnel
- Location: Near Perryopolis, PA https://maps.app.goo.gl/mrQc6tzW6xZekzUC6
Green Man’s Tunnel
- Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Dw5HXV6DNcsR43Kd9
- Both portals are easily accessible
- Both portals have been filled in (or have collapsed).
Liberty Tunnel
- Location (north portal): https://maps.app.goo.gl/ERcMAJVN76DP1zZ5A
- Best viewed from the Liberty Bridge
Squirrel Hill Tunnel
Hempfield/B&O
Tunnel 4
This railway in the vicinity of Claysville, PA was initially the Hempfield and later became part of the B&O Washington, PA to Wheeling, WV route.
Tunnel 4 entry
For about half its length, the trail is on a walkway and is rather dark. Lights which appear to be motion activated come on and off, but they are not very bright.
Tunnel 4 exit
It was more comfortable near the end.
Tunnel 5
The stretch of the trail about 100 yards prior to the tunnel were marked by signs suggesting the trail was closed, but there were no barriers in place.
