Discover Imperial: Montour Trail and Railroad History

Imperial can be understood through its geographic and historical details. The Montour Trail provides a reference for its route through the township; the history of the Montour Railroad places coal transport and earlier passenger service in a historical context. When planning your trip, it is useful to treat the approximate length of the trail, the specific mile marker at the trailhead, and the historical dates as separate pieces of information. This way, you can keep the geographic orientation and historical context in view as two distinct aspects of the destination.

The Montour Trail in Imperial

The Montour Trail runs for about 7 miles through the township. Its former railroad bed passes through the Village of Imperial, through old strip-mining areas, and through the Enlow Tunnel. The mileage describes the trail’s length within the township; the village, mining areas, and tunnel identify locations along the route. Calling it a former railroad bed captures the route’s historical character, while the place and terrain names provide specific points of reference. The description thus combines an approximate length with several named sections that are important for understanding Imperial’s geography.

The approximately seven miles and marker 8.2 answer different orientation questions: the first describes the trail in the township, while the second identifies the trailhead’s location. Keeping the two figures distinct helps you avoid confusing the extent of the local route with the marker for a single point on the trail.

Trailhead and Parking

The Montour Trail trailhead in Imperial is at mile marker 8.2. There are 40 parking spaces there, shared with the Activity Center. The mile marker provides a specific reference point on the trail; the parking information adds a practical detail for your visit. As access conditions can change, check them before your trip. This lets you factor the trailhead location and shared parking into your visit plans.

The Montour Railroad and Coal Transport

Near Imperial, the Montour Railroad was established in 1877 as a subsidiary wholly owned by the Imperial Coal Company. It was intended to transport coal from mines near Imperial to a loading facility on the Ohio River in Coraopolis. The railroad was built primarily as a transportation system for the company. The Imperial Coal Company was based at the northern end of North Fayette in Imperial. The company’s location, the nearby mines, and the destination on the river thus describe the geographic context of coal transport.

This railroad history adds an economic context to the region: Imperial is associated with the Imperial Coal Company’s location and the nearby mines, while Coraopolis is identified as the site of the loading facility. For travelers interested in the area’s history, these place references provide a framework for understanding the railroad’s purpose.

Passenger Service and Closure

Passenger service on the Montour Railroad began in 1879 and ended in 1927. Railroad operations ceased in 1984; complete closure followed in 1986, after a century of railroad operations. These dates mark different stages: the end of passenger service, the end of operations, and complete closure. They distinguish these phases and show that the end of passenger service was not the same as the end of all railroad operations.

When considering Imperial as a destination, the trail description and railroad history answer different questions: information about the Montour Trail provides geographic orientation in the township, while the Montour Railroad dates describe a historical development. Check current access conditions before visiting the trailhead.

Discover more destinations: Carnegie, Oakmont, Imperial-Enlow, Pittsburgh, Pine, Whitehall, Munhall, Mount Lebanon

For the main travel overview: Allegheny.