Imperial offers two different themes for a stay: the Montour Trail in the township and the history of the Montour Railroad in the surrounding area. The trail provides a practical way to orient yourself along a route; the railroad history offers a historical perspective on coal transportation and rail traffic.

The Montour Trail: Route and Orientation

The Montour Trail extends for about seven miles within the township. Its route passes through the Village of Imperial, across former surface-mining areas, and through the Enlow Tunnel. The approximate length places the trail within the township; the village, former mining areas, and tunnel provide specific landmarks along the route. Together, these details answer two different questions about orientation: how far the trail extends within the township and which named areas it passes through.

A precise reference point for planning is the trailhead in Imperial. It is located at mile marker 8.2 and has 40 parking spaces, shared with the Activity Center. The marker helps you locate the trailhead along the route; for parking, the shared use is useful practical information. Check current access conditions before visiting, as they may change.

Montour Railroad: Coal Transportation and History

The Montour Railroad is part of the industrial history of the surrounding area. It was founded in 1877 as a subsidiary wholly owned by the Imperial Coal Company. The railroad was intended to transport coal from mines near Imperial to a loading facility on the Ohio River in Coraopolis. The Imperial Coal Company was based at the northern end of North Fayette in Imperial; the railroad was built primarily as a transportation system for the company. Its founding, ownership, and purpose place the railroad within the history of the coal industry. The place names also distinguish the origin and destination of the transport: mines near Imperial on one side, and the loading facility in Coraopolis on the other.

The different phases of rail service have their own dates. Passenger service began in 1879 and ended in 1927. The Montour Railroad ceased operations in 1984; complete abandonment followed in 1986, after a century of railroad operations. These dates therefore do not mark a single ending: 1927 refers to passenger service, while the later dates refer to overall operations and their conclusion. This distinction matters for the chronology because passenger service and railroad operations refer to different periods in the history.

Choose a Focus for Your Stay

Travel planning can therefore take a geographical or a historical approach. The trail route and trailhead help you get your bearings; the company’s purpose, passenger service, and closure show the railroad’s development. If you are looking for hotels in Imperial, you can choose your focus based on whether you would rather explore the Montour Trail or the area’s railroad history during your stay. The trail is especially useful for orienting yourself to a specific route; the railroad’s history provides historical context for the regional coal industry.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Clairton, Morgan, Oakmont, Kennedy Township, Etna, Gibsonia, Pittsburgh, West Mifflin

For the broader travel overview: Allegheny.