HISTORIC REVIEW OF LANDSLIDES AFFECTING RAILROADS IN OHIO AND PENNSYLVANIA

Throughout the history of railroads landslides of various types and constructed embankment failures on right-of ways have been a troublesome problem for railroads in geologically hazardous landscapes. Historic occurrences of landslides affecting the railroads which have become part of the landscape evolution of the Appalachian region will be analyzed. This analysis of the causes and the mitigating solutions of significant landslide events which resulted in railroad infrastructure damage, route closures and relocations will be reviewed. These case analyses will review the geology, history, mechanisms, the costs and overall economic impact on society of these troublesome events.

An understanding of the lessons learned and prospects for improvements for safety planning and economic preservation of viable rail lines throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania and all of North America will be gained from analysis of these landslide occurrences. Reviews of landslide and embankment failures at Kilbuck, Pennsylvania in 2006, Wooster, Ohio in 1997 and at other unique locations and recent occurrences will be reviewed.

With a thorough analysis of past landslide events on railroads, significant improvements can be made in the mitigation of future occurrences to make rail transportation across sometimes unstable landscapes with significantly reduced risk. This knowledge of past landslide events and necessary improvements will benefit the safety and economic competiveness of the rail lines throughout the Appalachian region and all of North America in the future.