Train Tunnel 43

Basic

Region: Pennsylvania

Location

Type: Railroad feature
Status: Abandoned

Underground Structure

Type: Tunnel
Status: Abandoned
Total Length: 2,200 feet
Depth (BGL): 175 feet
Opened: 1854
Closed: 1915

This is a now-abandoned railroad tunnel. Built in 1854, there was initially only 1 bore (right). In 1883, a second, taller bore was constructed (left) to accommodate the increasing height of rail traffic. In 1915, a new, more efficient rail line was built to replace the line that ran through this tunnel, leaving the tunnel abandoned.

It is in good condition considering it was made in 1854. The older shorter bore even still has railroad ties in some parts.

NEPA Trains’s [[ 1900s DLWRR Railroad Spike ]] was found in this tunnel.

Train Tunnel 43 South Portal (Winter)

The south portal of the abandoned train tunnel.

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Train Tunnel 43 Portal Floor Ice

Here are ice stalagmites formed on the floor of the south portal. The north portal has massive ice stalagmites (too big to call icicles)!

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Train Tunnel 43 Looking at Crossover

This is the first crossover between the 2 bores we encountered. Right beyond this, a ventilation shaft was pouring water down.

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Train Tunnel 43 Looking Up at Vent (With rain)

This is the fist ventilation shaft we encountered. Water from melted snow was pouring down, so I didn’t risk taking a picture up with my camera. I can tell you however that the top appears to be boarded off with wood.

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Train Tunnel 43 Flooded Bore (Winter)

Standing at the ventilation shaft, this is the view into the old, smaller bore. It was completely flooded in the southern half of the tunnel.

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Train Tunnel 43 High Up Crossover (+Kc)

This is one of the numerous crossover passages that were high up on the tunnel wall. Most of them we were able to climb up in anyways.

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Train Tunnel 43 Finished Crossover (+Kc)

This appears to be the only “official” crossover, as it was the only crossover that was finished. Many past visitors scratched their names on the bricks here. It was also at this point we officially crossed over into the shorter bore, as at this point the taller bore became flooded.

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Train Tunnel 43 Bore with Ties Remaining (Winter)

This part of the tunnel still had ties in place (Neat)! Interestingly enough, it was the older, shorter bore that still had ties in place. Spikes were seen occasionally (See [[ 1900s DLWRR Railroad Spike ]]).

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Train Tunnel 43 North Portal (Winter)

This is the north portal of the tunnel. The icicles here were insane, and yes, we did squeeze through those icicles on the left!

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