Tunnel history

[NW Mailing List]

This is an additional comment and is directed to the part of the original message purporting to give an "Interesting history on building tunnels."  The information on Creagan (N&W track chart spelling) Tunnel following that heading contains some incorrect information.

Pertaining to Creagan Tunnel it states in part, "Completed in 1905...Craigan Tunnel (aka "Creagan" Tunnel) was ablaze during construction in 1902."  This is incorrect because the Clinch Valley line was officially completed from Graham, Virginia, to Norton, Virginia (naturally including Creagan Tunnel) June 16, 1891, some fourteen years before the 1905 completion date given in the referenced "history."

Also, the "history" states in part, "The raging inferno...was caused by sparks while workers were assembling tracks inside the tunnel."  In the first place, the tracks were laid c. 1891, and even if tracks had been re-laid in 1903, the year of the fire, not 1902 as given in the "history," I know of nothing in track laying in that era that would produce sparks.  So, "After this incident, all tracks were assembled outside N&W tunnels along this section of the Clinch Valley District before being set into place," is suspect also.

Gordon Hamilton


----- Original Message ----- 
  From: NW Mailing List 
  To: NW Mailing List 
  Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 10:22 AM
  Subject: Re: Tunnel history


  For a detailed account of this incident, drawn largely from contemporary newspaper articles, see my article, "Fire in the Hole!  A Tunnel Burns and the N&W Detours Through a Cave!" in the Oct. - Dec. 2010 (Vol. 26, No. 4) issue of The Arrow.

  Gordon Hamilton
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: NW Mailing List 
    To: mailing-list at nwhs.org 
    Sent: Monday, November 26, 2012 10:38 PM
    Subject: Fwd: Tunnel history


    Received this in my in box.  K. Borg


--------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subj: Tunnel history


      Some interesting history on building tunnels.


      "Completed in 1905 at 906' in length, the first of five tunnels between St. Paul & Coeburn, VA. Craigan Tunnel (aka "Creagan" Tunnel) was ablaze during construction in 1902, resulting in both portals being dammed and the tunnel flooded to extinguish the fire. The raging inferno, requiring several towns' assistance, was caused by sparks while workers were assembling tracks inside the tunnel. The fire was quickly fueled by the coal seam & support timbers inside the tunnel. After this incident, all tracks were assembled outside N&W tunnels along this section of the Clinch Valley District before being set into place."

      From Tish Adams on FB.


      See ya
      Larry




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