Ligonier Valley Rail Road Museum



The Ligonier Valley Rail Road Association is a non-profit corporation that was organized to:

  • Preserve the legacy of the Ligonier Valley Rail Road
  • Conserve the vestiges of the Ligonier Valley Rail Road
  • Collect relics and memorabilia of the Ligonier Valley Rail Road
  • Educate the public about the history of railroading in the Ligonier Valley

One of the better known short-line railroads, the Ligonier Valley Rail Road connected Ligonier Valley with the rest of the world via the Pennsylvania RR at Latrobe, Pennsylvania. It also connected the rest of the world with Pennsylvania's Mountain Playground, Ligonier Valley in general and Darlington Station 1934 Idlewild Park in particular. Originally only ten miles long, the line was extended six miles at the turn of the 20th century to service the coal fields north of Ligonier.

The Railroad began operation in 1877 and during the course of it's 75 years of operation it carried 9 million passengers and hauled 32 milion tons of freight. Darlington Station 2008 The last run occured on August 31, 1952.

The photo on the left is the original Darlington Station in 1934. The photo on the right is the Darlington Station (Ligonier Valley Rail Road Museum) today. The restoration of the Station began in the Fall of 2006 and was completed March 2009. It opened it as the Ligonier Valley Rail Road Museum on May 21st. 2010

Caboose passing Fort Ligonier

On the left is our 1905 Bobber Caboose passing historic Fort Ligonier on its way to the Darlington Station. The caboose was moved from temporary storage in Laughlintown to the Darlington Station on Saturday February 16, 2008. The tracks were installed a few weeks before and Ligonier Construction Company, of Laughlintown, transported the caboose and set it up on the tracks. We are looking for volunteers to help us restore the caboose. To read about the caboose project, please click on the Bobber Caboose link on the left.


We would like your help. If you have or know of any items from the Ligonier Valley Rail Road including old photographs, timetables, employee information, badges etc. please call us at 724-238-7819. We would love to hear from you!


Idlewild Park & Ligonier Valley Rail Road Association Save Historic Landmark - October 11, 2006 - Details

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Page Last Updated: 11/11/12 Aspnix