Brush Tunnel
Brush Tunnel is a 914-foot (279 m) railroad tunnel located about 1 mile (1.6 km) west of Corriganville, Maryland.
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Location | Corriganville, Maryland |
| Coordinates | 39°41′24″N 78°48′50″W |
| Status | Shared use by rail trail and scenic railroad |
| System | Western Maryland Scenic Railroad |
| Operation | |
| Opened | 1911 |
| Technical | |
| Length | 914 ft (279 m) |
| No. of tracks | Single (originally Double) |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Highest elevation | 1,062 ft (324 m) |
| Grade | 1.75% |
  Brush Tunnel | |
It was built in 1911 by the Western Maryland Railway, and is currently used by the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, a tourist railroad running between Frostburg and Cumberland, Maryland, as well as the Allegheny Highlands Trail of Maryland (part of the Great Allegheny Passage rail trail).[1][2] Some had expressed concern regarding the dual use of the tunnel, but time has shown that the scenic railroad and the bicycle trail can peacefully co-exist.
The Allegheny Highlands Trail of Maryland is currently complete from Cumberland to near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, using mostly abandoned rail right-of-way. The portion of the trail from Cumberland to near Frostburg trail is adjacent to the active tourist line, including the tunnel.
As the tunnel was bored for two tracks, and the scenic railroad uses only one, there is sufficient room for the bicycle trail alongside in the tunnel, which is now lighted. (However, trail users are cautioned not to be in the tunnel when a train is in or approaching the tunnel.)
References
- Allegheny Highlands Trail of Maryland, Cumberland, MD. "History Along the Trail: Brush Tunnel." Accessed 2010-01-13.
- Downing, Bob (2008-07-14). "Great Allegheny Passage follows 132-mile rail-trail through mountain scenery". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved May 30, 2009.
- Western Maryland Railway Co., Baltimore, MD (1955). "Track Chart: Connellsville to Cumberland."