The Gallitzin Tunnels are a trio of railroad tunnels through the Allegheny Mountains in Cambria County.
Completed at different times between 1854 and 1904, these three railroad tunnels are all important historic sites, and two of them are still crucial rail passages to this very day.
History of the Gallitzin Tunnels
The oldest of the three tunnels is the Allegheny Tunnel, built by the Pennsylvania Railroad between 1851-54.
The Allegheny Tunnel (known originally as the Summit Tunnel) was the longest railroad tunnel in the world at the time of its completion, at 3,612 feet.
To the south of the Allegheny Tunnel, the New Portage Tunnel was completed in 1855, while to the north, the Gallitzin Tunnel was completed in 1904.
Both the Allegheny and New Portage tunnels have been enlarged and are still in use; the Gallitzin Tunnel was taken out of service in 1995.
Exploring Gallitzin Tunnels Park
Today railfans have a beautiful spot to watch trains enter and exit the Allegheny Tunnel in Gallitzin in the form of Tunnels Park.
Located right next to the western portal of the Gallitzin and Allegheny tunnels, Tunnels Park is a convenient place to park and safely watch trains pass through, as they have for more than 150 years.
If navigating by GPS, use 548 Convent Street, Gallitzin, PA 16641 as the address to find the parking area at the Gallitzin Tunnels Park.
The park is well-marked, well-maintained, and if you see a red caboose, you’ll know you’ve found it!
The Jackson Street Overpass next to the park offers great views of the tracks and tunnels from walkways on either side of the bridge, with special cut-outs in the fence specifically designed to allow for photography and/or videography.
And whether it’s Norfolk Southern freight trains or Amtrak passenger trains, it’s hard to beat the close-up views at the Gallitzin tunnels.
As you watch literally hundreds of double-stack freight cars pass beneath your feet every time a train goes by, you quickly realize how much the railroads still matter to the distribution of goods in America.
Between trains, you might even catch a maintenance truck making its way through the Allegheny Tunnel!
The Gallitzin Tunnels Museum
Directly across the street from the Tunnels Park, you’ll find the Gallitzin Tunnels Museum, located in the same building as the public library and the local police department.
A one-room affair, it’s not nearly as comprehensive as the nearby Horseshoe Curve or Altoona Railroaders museums, but the Gallitzin Tunnels Museum is still worth a visit if it happens to be open when you visit the tunnels.
Final Thoughts
Trains have been passing through the Gallitzin Tunnels from more than 150 years, and whether you’re simply a curious onlooker or a hard-core railfan, Gallitzin Tunnels Park is a place you must visit at least once in your lifetime!
The thrill of first hearing the whistle and then seeing the trains emerge from the Allegheny Tunnel is something both young and old alike can enjoy in this beautiful and historic park setting in Cambria County.
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Nearby Attractions
17 Must-See Attractions in Cambria County showcases more remarkable sights and experiences near the Gallitzin Tunnels.
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