Sand Patch Grade facts for kids

Sand Patch Grade is a special part of a railroad track in Pennsylvania and western Maryland. It's about 100 miles (160 km) long. This section of track is famous for its very steep hills and sharp turns as it goes through the Allegheny Mountains. Imagine a train climbing over 1,000 feet (305 meters) in just 20 miles (32 km)! This makes Sand Patch Grade one of the steepest railroad tracks on the East Coast of the United States.

A B&O (Chessie System) EMD GP40-2 enters the Sand Patch Tunnel eastbound in 1987.

Railroad History: Building the Sand Patch Grade

The Sand Patch Grade railroad was first built by a company called the Pittsburgh & Connellsville Railroad (P&C). Their goal was to connect the cities of Pittsburgh and Connellsville in Pennsylvania. In 1853, they got permission to extend the line to Cumberland, Maryland.

The First Tunnel: A Big Challenge

To reach Cumberland, the railroad needed to cross the Allegheny Mountains. This meant digging a very long tunnel, about 4,777 feet (1,456 meters) long. Building this tunnel took a long time, from 1854 to 1871. At that time, it was one of the longest tunnels in the entire United States!

The original plan was for two tracks, but the ground was very difficult. So, they changed the plan to just one track. The tunnel project faced many problems. There were money issues, companies went out of business, and the American Civil War also caused delays. Because of these challenges, work on the tunnel only happened for 8 out of the 17 years it was being built.

Getting fresh air into the tunnel was also a problem. Workers dug four vertical shafts during construction to help with air circulation. Three of these shafts were finished to bring in air.

The Second Tunnel: A Better Way

By 1900, many more trains were using the line. The single-track tunnel wasn't big enough anymore. So, a new, larger tunnel was built between 1911 and 1913. This new tunnel was about 4,475 feet (1,364 meters) long and had two tracks. It was also built on a less steep slope, making it easier for trains.

The new tunnel has two concrete-lined shafts to bring in fresh air. For a short time after the new tunnel opened, the old single-track tunnel was still used. This meant there were three tracks at that spot! However, the old tunnel was finally closed in 1917. Today, parts of it are flooded and have collapsed.

In 2001, a control tower near the western entrance of the tunnel, called the "SA" Tower, was taken down.

Railroad Companies Over Time

The P&C railroad eventually became part of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O). Later, in 1972, the B&O joined with other railroads to form the Chessie System. Then, in 1987, the Chessie System merged into CSX.

Today, the Sand Patch Grade is part of the Keystone Subdivision. This is a very important East-West main line operated by CSX Transportation. If you want to ride over Sand Patch Grade, you can take Amtrak's Capitol Limited train, which travels between Chicago and Washington, D.C.

Sand Patch Grade: A Favorite for Train Fans

Mance, Pennsylvania, is a small place along the Sand Patch Grade. It's a very popular spot for railfans and photographers. Railfans are people who love watching and photographing trains.

Mance is special because it has a "horseshoe curve." This is a section of track that curves around like a horseshoe, allowing trains to gain or lose elevation quickly. The area also has a beautiful background with an old general store, a tree farm, and the mountains. Many people enjoy watching the trains work hard as they climb the steep grade toward Connellsville.