Allegheny Portage Railroad Van Tours

The van is parked by the Visitor Center where the tour starts.

NPS

2025 van tour dates:
June 21 and August 9

Reservations for van tours open on May 1, 2025!
 

Travel back in time with a park ranger on a free van tour of the historic route of the Allegheny Portage Railroad. This tour follows the entire route of the Portage Railroad from the canal basin in Hollidaysburg to the canal basin in Johnstown. Visitors will learn how this engineering marvel was built and hear the compelling stories of the men and women who built and operated what was the most important route westward from 1834 to 1857.

In many places the route will follow the exact path of the old Portage Railroad and will take visitors to the Staple Bend Tunnel. In addition, the tour will take passengers past the Skew Arch Bridge, the reconstruction of Engine House No. 6, the historic Lemon House, and several historic culverts.

This free tour begins at 1:00 p.m. at the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site Visitor Center. The tour is four hours in length. Space is limited to twelve people and reservations are required.

Please note!

The tour takes place in a 15-passenger van. Personal space may be limited depending on the number of participants signed up. Please note that maneuvering on and off the van may be difficult.

Accommodations for children under the age of eight cannot be made due to Pennsylvania law. The child safety law states that children eight years of age and under must be in an appropriate booster seat. Please be advised that because we cannot ensure that car seats are properly and safely installed on the vans and/or the bus, we cannot accommodate them on van tours. If a child arrived at the park in a car seat, they must always be in a car seat, while in a motorized vehicle. No allowances will be made for "holding" children while on a van tour. Thank you for your understanding!

Accommodations for children under the age of eight cannot be made due to Pennsylvania law. The child safety law states that children eight years of age and under must be in an appropriate booster seat. Please be advised that because we cannot ensure that car seats are properly and safely installed on the vans and/or the bus, we cannot accommodate them on van tours. If a child arrived at the park in a car seat, they must always be in a car seat, while in a motorized vehicle. No allowances will be made for "holding" children while on a van tour. Thank you for your understanding!

Details

Activity

Bus/Shuttle Guided Tour

Pets Allowed

No

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Reservations

Yes

Reservations are required due to limited space!

Accessibility Information

There is one step up into the van. A step stool is available to help participants get into the van.