More than likely, the tunnel is in bad shape from being closed so long. Before the Allegheny mountain building event 280 million years ago, what is now western PA was a tropical swamp. There are miles of layered sandstone, limestone, coal, shale, mudstone, etc. It is very unstable and caves in easily. Probably a large portion of the tunnel would have to be repaired/relined for safe operation.
I believe the original tunnel was the double track one in the middle. The tunnel to the north was added later and was alway single track. Finally the tunnel to the south was added a good bit later. Conrail enlarged the middle, original, double track tunnel and closed the one to the north. I'm not sure if the tunnel to the south was enlarged for stacks and racks...
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
caldreamer When Norfolk Southern lowered the floors on the other two tunnels to allow for double stacks they relined the tunnedls. They have four tracks ( two through each tunnel), so IFthey ever decided to reactivate the middle tunnel they probably would they do the same to the middle tunnel or just use it for general freight and forgo the cost of increasing the height of the tunnel roof?
When Norfolk Southern lowered the floors on the other two tunnels to allow for double stacks they relined the tunnedls. They have four tracks ( two through each tunnel), so IFthey ever decided to reactivate the middle tunnel they probably would they do the same to the middle tunnel or just use it for general freight and forgo the cost of increasing the height of the tunnel roof?
Ambient temperature in that part of PA is probably in the mid to upper 40s, so if the tunnel is sealed, there should be no freezing temps.
With it having been near 20 years with NO maintenance - I would be surprised if there might not be some areas of roof collapse.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Correct, 1994 - 1996 time frame (would have to look it up to see exactly when, if it matters) - by its then-owner, ConRail (not NS).
That tunnel's lining is likely in poor condition, even if protected by the end seals from freeze-thaw cycle conditions. The old linings were in poor condition then anyway - usually loose brick, some 'shot-crete', etc. - mainly from water infiltration, vibration, corrosive smoke, etc., and the tunnels are shallow enough to have encountered 'bootleg'-type coal mines and other voids from the town above. Blasting of the tunnels 'back in the day' was so severe that it damaged a girl's school on the surface above the tunnels. Even during the clearance enlargement project there was a substantial rockfall that was large enough to kill one worker (truck driver out of his cab, as I recall).
- Paul North.
Mid 1990's was when it sealed, as I recall, after a clearance project.
caldreamermake it necessary to reline the tunnel, or would it be in good condition as is.
The short answer to your question is "Yes." In other words, it all depends on what the condition of the tunnel happens to be, and there's no way to tell that without inspecting it. It's also possible that NS would want to do the necessary work so that the tunnel could handle double stck intermodal. All speculative, of course.
How long has it been sealed?
i know that Norfolk Southern has sealed the middle tunnel at Gallitzen. I am not sure what the lining is in the tunnel, but if they ever wanted to reopn it, would water damage due to the annual freeze and thaw cycles they we have here in Pennsylvania make it necessary to reline the tunnel, or would it be in good condition as is.
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