Cottage Hill B&S Railroad Tunnel, Dubois, Pennsylvania

Built in 1903 the Cottage Hill Tunnel, also known as the Highland Street Tunnel in Dubois, Pennsylvania is one of 3 tunnels constructed by the Buffalo & Susquehanna Railroad also known as the B & S Railroad.

The B&S was established in 1893 as a rail line to haul fresh cut timber in Potter County, Pennsylvania. At the time it was both a passenger and freight line. By 1900 the coalfields around Dubois, Pennsylvania attracted the eye of B&S owner Frank Goodyear. To build the route over to the coalfields, three tunnels would be constructed: The West Liberty Tunnel, the Sabula Tunnel and the Cottage Hill Tunnel in Dubois.

Once completed the Cottage Hill Tunnel was 401 feet long.

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad purchased the B&S in 1930.

In July 1942 a storm bringing 30 inches of rain washed out several miles of B & S track which were never rebuilt basically cutting the track in two.

From what I’ve read, what was left of the rail line was eventually acquired by the Buffalo and Pittsburg Railroad in the 1990s. Although the rails have been removed, the property is still owned by the railroad.

I searched far and wide for photos of this tunnel being built and photos of trains entering or exiting the tunnel. Unfortunately, I found nothing. If anyone has photos like these, please let me know in the comments below.

GPS  Location:  41º06’35.0″N 78º45’38.5″W