Charter and Construction
| Altoona and Wopsononock Railroad | |
|---|---|
| Locale | Blair County, Pennsylvania |
| Dates of operation | 1891–1892 |
| Successor | Altoona, Clearfield and Northern Railroad |
| Track gauge | 3 ft (914 mm) |
| Headquarters | Altoona, Pennsylvania |
The railroad was chartered on May 27, 1890 as the Altoona and Wopsononock Railroad. It was surveyed from Juniata, a northern suburb of Altoona, up Spring Run, and climbed a circuitous, twisting route up the Allegheny Front through Juniata Gap, to terminate at the newly established resort town of Wopsononock. By the time the first annual meeting of the stockholders was held on January 13, 1891, 5 miles (8.0 km) of the road had been completed as a 3-foot (910 mm) gauge line. The board ultimately decided to complete the remaining 4 miles (6.4 km) to the same gauge. Frank G. Patterson, an Altoona attorney, was elected president, and William L. Shellenberger vice-president.
Rails were finished to the top of the Alleghenies on June 6, and the first train arrived in Wopsononock on June 11. The railroad was formally opened on July 2, 1891. An extension to Dougherty, 5 miles (8.0 km) beyond Wopsononock, was begun on September 31, in order to serve mines of the newly-formed Richland Coal Company, headed by Shellenberger. Patterson was also involved in the coal company, serving as its secretary.
Read more about this topic: Altoona And Beech Creek Railroad
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