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http://www.railstotrails.org/trailblog/?author=James%20Porterfield
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Posts by James Porterfield

History Happened Here: How the Switchback Railroad Inspired the Invention of the Roller Coaster

Posted 09/12/14 by James Porterfield in America's Trails | Tagged with Heritage and Restoration, Pennsylvania, Trail Communities

The Switchback Gravity Railroad, built in 1827, was only the second railroad built in America. It ran nine miles, hauling coal from Summit Hill down to the town of Mauch Chunk and the Lehigh Canal in east central Pennsylvania.

History Happened Here: A Journey to Gettysburg

Posted 11/12/13 by James Porterfield in America's Trails | Tagged with Heritage and Restoration, Maryland, Pennsylvania

This year on November 19 we commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Lincoln's brief - just over 270 words - Gettysburg Address. It is thought by many to be the greatest speech ever delivered on American soil. You can retrace much of Lincoln's route to Gettysburg, and stand on the spot he occupied at Hanover Junction, using either of two rail-trails that mark the route of the former Northern Central Railway.

History Happened Here: Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail

Posted 03/26/13 by James Porterfield in America's Trails | Tagged with Heritage and Restoration, Nevada, Trail Destinations

The seven-mile long Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail lets you retrace the path taken by this army of workers and metropolis of machinery. It was once known as the U. S. Government Construction Railroad, and was built in just over six months to connect a Union Pacific Railroad branch in Boulder City, Nevada, with the dam construction site.

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