Phoenixville Tunnel
Encyclopedia
The Phoenixville Tunnel, originally called the Fairview Tunnel, was part of the Pennsylvania Schuylkill Valley Railroad in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
.
The tunnel was built in 1884. It is approximately 811 feet long and 24 feet 8 inches wide. The tunnel, which was later acquired by the Pennsylvania Railroad
, runs parallel to the west of Fairview Street, underneath Fillmore Street.
After the First World War increasing competition from automobiles and trucks led to passenger train services being discontinued in 1928. However, freight services continued to use the line. The line, which was used by Conrail from Kimberton to Phoenixville, was abandoned in the 1980s.
It is near the 1835 Phoenixville Black Rock Tunnel
, the second railroad tunnel to be built in the United States.40.147833°N 75.5184967°W
The tunnel is now abandoned. The original brick
construction is in poor repair. A large part of the ceiling has collapsed directly under Fillmore Street prompting a three-ton gross vehicle weight limit on the road above.
The Pennsylvania Schuylkill Valley Railroad rail right of way is being developed into the Schuylkill River Trail
, a multi-use recreational / bicycle trail. However, it is not clear if the tunnel will be included.
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
Phoenixville is a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States, northwest of Philadelphia, at the junction of French Creek with the Schuylkill River. The population is 16,440 as of the 2010 Census.- History :...
.
History
Pennsylvania Railroad
The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
, runs parallel to the west of Fairview Street, underneath Fillmore Street.
After the First World War increasing competition from automobiles and trucks led to passenger train services being discontinued in 1928. However, freight services continued to use the line. The line, which was used by Conrail from Kimberton to Phoenixville, was abandoned in the 1980s.
It is near the 1835 Phoenixville Black Rock Tunnel
Black Rock Tunnel
The Black Rock Tunnel is an active rail road tunnel of the old Reading Railroad. The 1835 tunnel was the second rail tunnel constructed in the United States, and is the oldest still in use. The tunnel is also notable as being the first for which shafts were sunk during construction. The tunnel...
, the second railroad tunnel to be built in the United States.40.147833°N 75.5184967°W
Present day
Brick
A brick is a block of ceramic material used in masonry construction, usually laid using various kinds of mortar. It has been regarded as one of the longest lasting and strongest building materials used throughout history.-History:...
construction is in poor repair. A large part of the ceiling has collapsed directly under Fillmore Street prompting a three-ton gross vehicle weight limit on the road above.
The Pennsylvania Schuylkill Valley Railroad rail right of way is being developed into the Schuylkill River Trail
Schuylkill River Trail
The Schuylkill River Trail is a multi-use trail under construction for expansion along the banks of the Schuylkill River in southeastern Pennsylvania...
, a multi-use recreational / bicycle trail. However, it is not clear if the tunnel will be included.