The Future

The North Central PA Long-Term Regional Transportation Plan (LRTP) states that “Passenger rail transportation in the PA Wilds is critically important to community livability, economic development and tourism.” This could potentially include light rail transportation from Du Bois to Elk Country in Benezette and the Allegheny National Forest in Ridgway.

A proposed Elk Country Greenway follows the B&P line to Driftwood where the railroad connects to the Norfolk Southern. This follows the early PRR Allegheny Low Grade Division, which traveled eastward from the mouth of Redbank Creek through New Bethlehem, Brookville, and Reynoldsville to Driftwood. Completed in 1874, the railroad provided passenger and freight services to principal stations in Summerville, Brookville, Reynoldsville and 14 minor stations, including one in Falls Creek. The Allegheny Low Grade and the Bickford Line are major rail transportation corridors through the Eastern Divide in Clearfield, Elk and Jefferson counties.

For the future there may be many more thoughts and concepts, but for the moment we want to put together our memories of the railroads of the Valley of the past. There are many cherished memories of those that grew up in the Valley in their youth. Please share them with us.