B&M Hoosac Tunnel Electrification

[Supermicha]

Hi there,

i need some inforamtion about the Hoosac tunnel electrification of the Boston and Main RR. I just know that the tunnel is 5 miles long and electric service was choosen to prevent that the tunnel was filled with smoke.

My question is, how long was the hole electrified route, and where were the electric engines on and off coupled?

What about the tunnel today?


Thanks,

[Modelcar]

...You can find some good info by going to Google and entering "Hoosac Tunnel". Several web sites available there with data.

[Supermicha]

I tried that, but i didn´t find any info about the electrification...

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

Check "When the Steam Roads Electrified", there is a good chapter about the short tunnel electrifications.
The Hoosac Tunnel electrification basically ran from portal to portal with small yards at each end to handle adding and cutting off the electric locomotives. Road steam locomotives were pulled through the tunnel with their fires banked.
The electrification was discontinued in 1946 with B&M's early conversion to diesel power. The tunnel is still in service as part of Guilford's main line.

[BEAUSABRE]

This may be of interest

https://reference.insulators.info/publications/view/?id=11903

The electrification was operational between 1911 and 1946

The locomotives were identical to the New Haven's EF-1 and EP-1 classes as modified to 1-B+B-1 wheel arrangement, so if you want to model the electrification, that gives you something to look for on Ebay. Three units were geared for freight service and two for light freight/passenger service. The relationship with the NH is explained by the fact that the Morgan-Mellin interests owned the NH and also controlled the B&M with the intention of merging the two (along with the MEC, RUT, B&A) and monopolizing transportation in New England (California & the SP aka "The Octopus" I'm looking at you)