Big Savage Tunnel is WM's 2nd. longest tunnel with a length of 3,294.6ft. Indigo Tunnel, east of Little Orleans is WM's longest at 4,350ft. Big Savage Tunnel is 2 miles east of the summit of the Alleghenies at Deal. It was the only tunnel on the Connellsville Sub that was not bored for double track, as were Brush, Borden, and Pinkerton Tunnels.
A friend who used to drive the WM after abaondoment told me two stories about Big Savage Tunnel. The first being driving west in the tunnel on the ballast just after the rails and crossties were pulled. All of a sudden here drove up on crossties and nearly lost control, then he hit rail that was left in place. He had to back out of the tunnel. The second time he was doing the same thing much later after the crossties and rail were gone. He met another fella driving east in the tunnel. He was not as far in as the other guy and had to back out of the tunnel and let the guy pass. After continuing thru the tunnel he drove out the west end to find a farmer standing on the right-of-way with a shotgun. The farmer told him to get off his land, that he was not allowed here. The farmer must have been making moonshine or something similar.
Big Savage Tunnel was recently rebuilt with an intirely new waterproof lining and lighting system. It will become part of the Allegheny Highlands Trail that will run from Pittsburg to Cumberland. This trail is also known as the Great Allegheny Passage.
|