The Enola Low Grade Trail - Part 1

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Hi Blog!

We are enjoying our time here in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The Shady Grove RV Park is surrounded by Amish farms. Small roads criss-cross the landscape. In the week we have been here, we haven't taken the same route twice!

Today we decided to explore the Providence Township Section of the Enola Low Grade Trail.

The former Atglen and Susquehanna Branch was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad between 1902 and 1906. The branch was built to relieve congestion on the Philadelphia to Harrisburg Main Line. It was designed for freight service, and minimizing the grade profile was of high importance, since freight service on the main line was hampered by relatively steep grades. Thus the branch was often known simply as the "Low Grade." The grade never exceeded 1% and curves are no more than 2%. 

As we took our first look down the trail, it seemed to disappear into the horizon.

After the rail line was abandoned, the right-of-way was transferred to the townships it traverses and became known as the Enola Low Grade Trail. About 29 miles of the former rail line have been opened to the public in disconnected segments. Today we rode the section from Martic Township to Quarryville Borough in Providence Township.

At the time the rail line was built, it was second only to the Panama Canal in terms of the amount of earth moved—some 22 million cubic yards. Crews blasted through the rolling hills of Pennsylvania and then took the fill and dumped it in the valleys between the hills. 

They had to build dozens of stone arch bridges over existing roads and streams to make a level railbed. When they needed larger bridges they used steel trusses like this one.

We discovered a few art installations along the way.

There are a number of neighborhoods that back up against the old rail grade. Occasionally, one of the locals decides to take himself for a walk.

The old concrete railroad mile markers still line the trail.

Most of the rail line is surrounded by a mature forest. As we crossed the numerous bridges, we got a glimpse of the farmland beyond.

We noticed this guy peering down on us.

The main trailhead parking is a couple miles before the end of the improved trail.

A brand new bridge.

More picturesque farms.

We reached the end, where we ate our lunch before turning around and completing our round trip.

Well, apparently it was not really the end. There is still the afterlife, which we discovered on our peddle back to the Jeep!

 All told, we logged 20 miles on an out and back ride. We hope to be able to explore another section of the Enola Low Grade Trail on a future ride. Stay tuned.