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RITBlake
02-16-2006, 03:35
I was looking around on the internet tonight and came across a site about the Hoosac Tunnel in North Adams, MA

Its one of the largest abandonded tunnels in the world. You can walk right through it. I think its pretty neat, almost 150 died in the construction. Has anyone in the North Adams area ever explored this place? creepy, but cool!

RITBlake
02-16-2006, 03:35
oh yah, its more then FIVE miles long

RITBlake
02-16-2006, 03:50
upon further investigation I guess its not abandoned

Deb
02-16-2006, 08:37
The Western Gateway Heritage State Park in North Adams, Ma. isn't really a park, it's a visitor center and museum. The museum is devoted to the building of the tunnel, which took place approximately 1850-1875.

There were so many logistical and financial setbacks along the way that when the tunnel was finally completed, the golden age of the Erie Canal - which the tunnel provided a connection to - was over.
It was, for a time, the longest railroad tunnel in the world.
The museum is one of my favorites.

hiker33
02-16-2006, 09:57
Walking through the tunnel is definitely not recommended. Hoosac is still on an active rail line and railroad officials aggressively prosecute anyone they catch trespassing in the tunnel or on the tracks in the area. In addition to frequent track patrols by modified pickup trucks the tunnel sees several freight trains daily. If someone is inside the tunnel when a train passes through the clearances are very close and the exhaust from a multiple-unit power consist can be deadly.

Having said this, the tunnel is a fascinating piece of history. It cost the lives of nearly 200 workers during construction which also saw the first use of nitroglycerin as a blasting agent. The center of the tunnel has a 1300- foot vertical shaft originally used in during construction and now for ventilation. The building housing the giant exhaust fans may be seen off of Central Shaft Road in Florida, MA.

Hiking content: the sighting towers built on top of the mountain during the initial surveys still stand and supposedly make a good bushwhacking hike to explore.

Big Oz
02-16-2006, 10:37
I was looking around on the internet tonight and came across a site about the Hoosac Tunnel in North Adams, MA

Its one of the largest abandonded tunnels in the world. You can walk right through it. I think its pretty neat, almost 150 died in the construction. Has anyone in the North Adams area ever explored this place? creepy, but cool!

Could be one of those mexican tunnels like they found in San Diego
to put dope in

hammock engineer
02-16-2006, 12:03
I haven't seen that tunnel, but here in Cincinnati we have an old subway system that never saw any tracks. Pretty interesting history. There used to be above ground stations, and there still are a couple underneath downtown.

http://www.cincinnati-transit.net/subway.html

RITBlake
02-16-2006, 12:21
We have something similar in Rochester. An entire subway system that was abandonded. Its neat to go down there and explore. http://rocwiki.org/Abandoned_Subway

hammock engineer
02-16-2006, 12:29
Here is a site for anyone in OH with old building and some of there history and pics.

http://www.forgottenoh.com/page1.html

JoeHiker
02-16-2006, 17:51
Here is an account of someone traveling through the length of the tunnel

http://www.boudillion.com/hoosac/hoosac.htm

RITBlake
02-16-2006, 18:33
Here is an account of someone traveling through the length of the tunnel

http://www.boudillion.com/hoosac/hoosac.htm

Joe thats the account I was reading and found most interesting. When I first heard about this tunnel I assumed it was no longer used. But I guess trains run through their daily. From the description on boudillion.com it sounds like the tunnel is in terrible disrepair.

I think I would still go in and check it out. 5 miles is a LONG way to walk in the dark. Creepy but cool.

dudley
02-26-2006, 12:48
Hartford Advocate: Forbidden River (http://www.hartfordadvocate.com/gbase/News/content.html?oid=oid:121318)
An urban kayak adventure

Cosmo
03-03-2006, 21:54
The Hoosic Tunnel is definitely in use. Several freights a day. Long ones too. We had a couple of yahoos killed in it a couple of years ago. The ventilator shafts come up in Savoy SF, it's kind of wierd to see (and hear them when a train comes through) while you are in the SF.

Cosmo

zr700
09-24-2006, 17:09
Wow that looks neat, reminds me of the abandonded PA Turnpike Tunnels, which I have hiked.

zr700
09-24-2006, 17:27
http://www.rays-hill.com/turnpike/home.htm

RITBlake
09-24-2006, 18:33
interesting post zr700.

Topcat
09-24-2006, 20:09
http://www.rays-hill.com/turnpike/home.htm
great site, do you know if overnight camping is permitted along the routes that would be hiked???

zr700
09-24-2006, 20:39
great site, do you know if overnight camping is permitted along the routes that would be hiked???


Im not sure but the Larual Hill Trail goes over top of the one and I think there is Pa Game Lands in the area also. Here is a link to the group that owns the owns two of the tunnels. I'm sure they would be some help.



http://www.saconservancy.org/projects/index.htm