PLEASE READ ENTIRE CACHE DESCRIPTION FOR INFO AND HINTS. See Parking waypoint for PARKING. From Tunnelhill St (in Gallitzin, PA, take Bird Eye Rd. This is the SGL access road. The road is in fair condition, but be aware that there is NO winter maintenance and can be impassable at times. This is a small section of SGL 198 and is heavily hunted, especially October-December, so you may choose to wait until Sundays (please note Sunday hunting is allowed in Pennsylvania the last 3 Sundays in November) or after the main hunting seasons. At the posted coordinates (Parking), you may either take the path to the left or the SGL road. AS OF MAY 2023, be aware that the path is mostly all logged out. There is little to no shade (so it is hot in the summer) and can be muddy at times. The views of the surrounding mountains and of Roue 22 is very nice though! The SGL road is an approximately 1 mile walk or drive from the Parking waypoint. This road gets very narrow and then it parallels a very active rail line. Both of these take you to:
near THE TICKET BOOTH. Here you will find coordinates to the final location.
This is a multi-stage puzzle cache that gives a lesson about the Pennsylvania Railroad’s “Red Arrow.” In 1947, it overturned, due to speeding, on its way from Detroit to New York at Bennington Curve. From the TICKET BOOTH, there is really no clear path to the final. You can continue on the path (go northeast). You can follow this path some of the way, but then there will be still be a 0.2 mile or so bushwhack along the creek. From the TICKET BOOTH, you can also just bushwhack the whole way. Be aware both options can include very high grass/weeds, rock formations to climb over, steep embankments to go down, and/or stream crossings. Please be safe!
Photo No. 39
Please remember it is illegal to be on railroad property which according to Federal Law is 150 feet on either side of the tracks. Although you will be close enough to hear the trains, YOU WILL BE ON STATE GAME LAND PROPERTY. Please do not go near the tracks. It can be fatal and/or expensive Like in the case of this fellow geocacher.
I ask that you be very careful as you near the final. There are some rusty metal pieces and containers from the railroad that have just been thrown over.
Also there are a few other caches within the area you will be exploring. I recommend you go after these when you are finished or at another time, so that you do not wander from the path, get lost and perish As in this sad story
.
Please remember to wear your orange!
Enjoy this trip through history.
ORIGINAL TEXT: Special Thanks to Dennis P. McIlnay for writing “The Wreck of the Red Arrow: An American Tragedy. We first heard of this wreck in “A Haunted Pennsylvania,” and the sandwich at The Iron Horse in Gallitzin, but the book gave us so much more information and really quenched our thirst for knowledge. Copies are available for borrowing at the Altoona Public Library and on sale at bookstores and author’s meet and greets. Please visit the author's site. Although this information can be found in multiple places; we used the information provided in the book.
McIlnay, Dennis.(2010). “The Wreck of the Red Arrow: An American Tragedy.
NEW TEXT FROM NEW CO SEPTEMBER 2021: The final container contains this book FOR VIEWING ONLY. Please DO NOT TAKE FROM CACHE. If you're able, spend some time at GZ and check out the book. It's very interesting! The book is readily available on Amazon HERE. This copy was purchased used, in good condition, for $12.91.