Ligonier Valley Railroad Museum
Website:
Telephone Number:
Location:
3032 Idlewild Hill Lane, Ligonier, PA 15658
Hours:
Saturdays 11 AM to 3 PM
Description:
The Ligonier Valley Rail Road's main line between Ligonier and Latrobe was short, only 10.3 miles. Although short in length, it was long in construction. The Pennsylvania Railroad opened its route through Latrobe in 1852, and it wasn't long before a railroad line that would connect Ligonier with Latrobe was conceived. In April 1853, the Assembly passed the Act of Incorporation for the Latrobe and Ligonier Rail Road Company. The first surveys for the proposed line were done in 1853 and 1854. Unfortunately, the lofty goals of the incorporators exceeded their financial ability and so the plans languished. During the subsequent years there were several reorganizations and supplemental acts of the legislature. In May 1871, the name of the railroad was changed to the Ligonier Valley Rail Road Company. Following this change, there was a spurt of activity. The proposed line was again surveyed and by April 1872 the location was established. Grading and bridge work began and was mostly completed by the end of 1873. Again, lack of adequate finances made it impossible to complete the work. A serious effort was made to entice the PRR to take over the line and operate it, but the PRR declined the opportunity. Finally, Judge Thomas Mellon was approached, and a contract was signed in August 1877 whereby he would complete and operate the railroad line.
Judge Mellon was not particularly optimistic about the financial prospects of the railroad. However, he did think that it presented a good opportunity for his sons, Andrew and Richard, to gain business experience. Even though the line had been planned and graded as a standard gauge railroad (4' 8 ½"), Judge Mellon opted to construct and operate a narrow gauge (3') line. Narrow gauge lines were less expensive to construct and operate; at least in theory. A second-hand engine, small even by narrow gauge standards, and several other pieces of used equipment were obtained and the Liggie went into service on December 1, 1877. Thus, it took a quarter century to get the railroad built and into service.
