Skip to main content
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Access Membership Info DONATE RENEW
  • About Us
    • About
    • Equity
    • Staff
    • Board
    • Press
    • Finances
    • Careers
    • Contact
  • What We Do
    • Great American Rail-Trail
    • TrailNation: Connecting America's Trails
    • Advocating for Active Transportation
    • Securing Public Funding
    • Supporting Trail Builders
    • Protecting Trails & Corridors
    • Mapping Trails, GIS & Research
    • Grants
  • Experience Trails
    • Trail Use Tips
    • Celebrate Trails Day
    • Trail Moments
    • Hall of Fame
    • Rail-Trail Champions
    • The Magazine
    • Share the Trail
    • Trail Blog
  • Find Trails
  • Resources
    • Newsletter Sign Up
    • Resource Library
    • Trail-Building Toolbox
    • TrailNation Playbook
    • Webinars & Training
    • Federal Funding Quiz
    • State Policy Hub
    • Transportation Alternatives Data
    • Partnership For Active Transportation
  • Store
  • Support Us
    • Donate
    • Learn about Membership
    • Renew Membership
    • Trailblazer Society
    • More Ways to Give
http://www.railstotrails.org/trailblog/?author=James%20Porterfield
  • Home
  • Trailblog
  • James Porterfield

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.

 Subscribe via RSS

Blog Categories

  • Taking Action
  • Building Trails
  • Policy
  • Trail Use
  • Success Stories
  • America's Trails
  • Health and Wellness

Most Popular

1. Plan These Top 10 Summer Trail Experiences With TrailLink (8/8/23)


2. Exploring America's E-Bike Evolution (05/04/23)


3. Remembering Franco Harris—Trails and Bicycling Advocate (06/15/23)


4. Hiking Hacks: Long-Distance Prep Tips and Tricks for Rail-Trails 101 (02/14/23)


Support the trails you love and donate
Subscribe


Sign up for eNews to get monthly updates on trail news, events and success stories from across the country.

SIGN UP FOR ENEWS

Find Your Trail with TrailLink

Rails to Trails Magazine

Subscribe to the RTC Magazine
Subscribe Today

Shop RTC's Trail Store

RTC Trail Shop

Guidebook Series

Plan your next trail adventure right from home! Get your choice of one of our 13 guidebooks with your support for the trails you love!

ORDER GUIDEBOOK

Join the Movement

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

National Headquarters:
2445 M Street, NW, Suite 650
Washington, DC 20037
Phone: 202.331.9696
  • Email
  • Contact Field Offices

Get Social With Us @railstotrails

Great American Rail-Trail
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's TrailNation
TrailLink by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
  • Access Membership Info
  • Log in
  • Press
  • Privacy
  • Security
  • Join eNEWS
  • Careers
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2001-2023 Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC). All rights reserved.

Get Your Regional Guide