Classic Trains Summer 2011 question

[NW Mailing List]

I'm speculating but I've seen many examples of tunnels on various 
railroads through very minor hills that in never have been tunnels but 
cuts had they had better earth moving capabilities back then. Earth 
moving equipment in the 1800's prior to The War Between the States was 
mules and wagons -- picks and shovels- and black powder. Tunnels 
required less earth to be moved and as such were a less complicated 
option than excavating  a deep cut to get through a hill.  Also the 
clearances required weren't nearly what they are today so tunnels could 
be much smaller.  Lots of old tunnels have been day-lighted over the 
years.  I've attached a picture on what is now CSX but was originally 
the Nashville, Chattanooga, and St Louis on Raccoon Mountain just west 
of Chattanooga, TN.  Hard to understand why they ever built a tunnel 
here originally and obviously when the double tracked the railroad the 
tunnel was bi-passed.

Ed Painter -- Narrows, VA living in Russellville, AR


*From:*nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org 
[mailto:nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org] *On Behalf Of *NW Mailing List
*Sent:* Thursday, May 12, 2011 8:51 AM
*To:* NW Mailing List
*Subject:* Re: Classic Trains Summer 2011 question

Can someone explain why this tunnel was not built "open" in the first 
place?  It seems as though constructing a tunnel would be much more 
difficult than just removing the top.  Obviously, that is not the case, 
or they would have done so originally.

Mike Rector

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