| Muleshoe. Here is a photo of the original single-tracked, double culvert under the Muleshoe Curve near Duncansville, Pennsylvania. It was taken during the 1880's. "The Muleshoe was part of the improvements made by the State of Pennsylvania to the Allegheny Portage Railroad in the early to mid-1850's. Sometimes referred to as 'the Road to Avoid the Planes' or the 'New Portage,' these improvements bypassed the slow eastern-slope inclined planes utilized by the Allegheny Portage Railroad. The section where the Muleshoe was located was opened on July 1, 1855 and made it possible to bypass Plane No. 8. The Muleshoe and the rest of the Portage Railroad were abandoned on November 1, 1857. The Eastern section of the 'New Portage' ~ i.e., from Gallitzin to Duncansville ~ was reopened by the Pennsylvania Railroad in the early 1900's. The culvert under the Muleshoe was rebuilt as a single arch in 1902, with Blair Gap Run passing under the roadway. This is still the same arrangement today." (Photo and text from the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site: 114925998531185) Note the photographer's horse and buggy! Photo taken from the Duncansville side. |