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 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. The last run occured on August 31, 1952.

The photo on the left is the original Darlington Station in 1935. The photo on the right is the Darlington Station today (2008). We are currently restoring the Darlington Station and when completed it will be the Ligonier Valley Rail Road Museum and offices of the Ligonier Valley Rail Road Association. The restoration began in the fall of 2006 and is continuing. The exterior is complete and we are in the process of raising funds to restore and furnish the interior.

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 16th. The tracks were installed by Atlas Railroad Construction of Charlerio, Pa. a few weeks before and Ligonier Construction Company, of Laughlintown transported the caboose and set it up on the tracks. We will be looking for volunteers later this year to help us restore the caboose. To read about the caboose project, please click on the Bobber Caboose link on the left.

This is our first car in a new series of HO gauge cars that we will be offering. The price is $20. You can order by calling 724-238-7859 or 724-537-2647. OR, go to the Gift Shop page and order online. (Click on photo for a larger image)

On On Saturday,April 26, 2008 we conducted a tour of the old Booth and Flinn stone quarry and Baker Siding. The group started the tour at the Darlington Station at 1:00 PM with about 30 people. Refreshments were served after the tour.

November 2008 - Model-Train House Tour
A fundraising model-train house tour is in the planning stages for November. Three members have already agreed to share their extensive layouts. We are looking for at least three additional hosts. If you have a layout and are in the Greensburg, Latrobe, or Ligonier area and would like to share your layout, please contact us at 724-537-2647.

January 16, 2008 - Article in Pittsburgh Tribune-Review about Donated Caboose.(Courtesy of Tribune-Review)

Dave Crawley of KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh recently did a short feature on the Darlington Station. (Video Clip Courtesy of KDKA)

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review published an article about the September 20th. Darlington Station Gala.
(Courtesy of Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

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 800-813-8949. We would love to hear from you!

August 24, 2007
The "O" gage doodlebug models have arrived. With 85 of them already sold, if you are interested, order yours ASAP. The price is $350 plus shipping and handling. You can order them online by clicking on the Gift Shop button on the left, or in person at the office Saturday mornings.

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