When the B&O was first completed in 1853, there were two major tunnels on the line in West Virginia, the Kingwood Tunnel on the West End, and the Board Tree Tunnel, above Grafton. Kingwood Tunnel was later modernized about 1910 or slightly later, with a new bore, and the old bore was closed about 1961, I believe.
To get to Wheeling, once trains got to Grafton, they had to go north through Fairmont to eventually reach Wheeling. Board Tree Tunnel was located close to the Pennsylvania state line, at the point where the southwest corner of that state is located, not very far from Wheeling or Fairmont.
My question is, what eventually became of Board Tree Tunnel? I'm certain it was abandoned, but when? Was it ever modified or rebored to take larger locomotives? Or was it simply abandoned when surveyors and engineers found a better way to get over the mountainous terrain to Wheeling?
Thanks
To get to Wheeling, once trains got to Grafton, they had to go north through Fairmont to eventually reach Wheeling. Board Tree Tunnel was located close to the Pennsylvania state line, at the point where the southwest corner of that state is located, not very far from Wheeling or Fairmont.
My question is, what eventually became of Board Tree Tunnel? I'm certain it was abandoned, but when? Was it ever modified or rebored to take larger locomotives? Or was it simply abandoned when surveyors and engineers found a better way to get over the mountainous terrain to Wheeling?
Thanks
Wade Rice
Member, B&O RR Historical Society
http://www.borhs.org
Daniel Willard (1860-1942) and Jervis Langdon, Jr. (1905-2004) - Two of B&O's best presidents and managers!
President Leonor Loree (1858-1940) brought the B&O into the 20th century!
Member, B&O RR Historical Society
http://www.borhs.org
Daniel Willard (1860-1942) and Jervis Langdon, Jr. (1905-2004) - Two of B&O's best presidents and managers!
President Leonor Loree (1858-1940) brought the B&O into the 20th century!