Church Hill Tunnel, Richmond, VA

Last Friday I visited the site of the C&O's Church Hill Tunnel in Richmond. I took a few photos:

The West Portal, visibly spewing water from the top of the plug:

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?pho ... 511532.jpg


Above the west portal, showing tunnel approach and memorial plaque:

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?pho ... 211923.jpg


Photo of Jefferson Hill Park, showing test bore for the locomotive removal project. The tunnel entrance was 50 feet to the left of where I took this photo:

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?pho ... 413396.jpg


The locomotive removal project is on hold, pending a hydrology report on water found in the tunnel. Given that water is spewing from the top of the tunnel portal plug, there must be a large amount of water in the tunnel.

Ernie Hunt

Years ago we had part of the viaduct out of Fulton yard in Richmond that had an interchange with the Southern Railway. When we delivered cars to get to their yard we had to go 20 cars deep into the east end of the Church Hill tunnel to shove around to the tracks. Talk about an eerie feeling knowing an engine and work train was still buried behind the brick wall. Water was always up to the rail the engine fumes that developed made it difficult to see hand signals at that distance. It was an adventure. Last year they had an excavation team who drilled holes topside and sent camera's down to see how badly the steam locomotive was decayed if it was worth trying to salvage it. Personally it's been there all these years let it rest in peace.

Anything new on the proposed excavation of the tunnel? Last I heard work had been put on hold pending a hydrology report (Oct 2006?) ....the tunnel is apparently filled with water and silt. There is a concern that an excavation may cause the tunnel to further collapse thus effecting the homes above. Just curious if there was anything new.