Campbells Tunnel (Radcliff, OH)
Campbells Tunnel (1880-1982)
Radcliff, Ohio
The Gallipolis, McArthur & Columbus Railroad was incorporated in 1870 to build from Logan to Gallipolis, Ohio, connecting Columbus with the Ohio River. The line required two tunnels, both in Vinton County in Southeast Ohio. The route was sold to the Columbus & Gallipolis Railway in 1876 and construction of both tunnels began in March of 1877. Campbells Tunnel was to stretch 896 feet through bare sandstone, while Eagle Tunnel was to reach 340 feet with stone lining.
Construction funding was depleted by 1878 and the line was sold to the Ohio & West Virginia Railway. Finally completed in October 1880, the route was sold yet again to the Columbus, Hocking Valley & Toledo Railway (later Hocking Valley Railway) in 1881 and ultimately merged into the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad in 1930. The last train through Campbells Tunnel ran June 7, 1979 and the line was abandoned from Logan to Minerton in 1982.
These modern-day photos show Campbells Tunnel in good condition, largely unchanged from 1880 construction. Nearby Eagle Tunnel was modified with concrete lining and portals in the mid-1940s and was sealed at both ends following abandonment.
Note: This text and accompanying photos are the copyright of Christopher Muller and may not be reproduced in whole or in part on any website, message board, or other medium.
Read MoreRadcliff, Ohio
The Gallipolis, McArthur & Columbus Railroad was incorporated in 1870 to build from Logan to Gallipolis, Ohio, connecting Columbus with the Ohio River. The line required two tunnels, both in Vinton County in Southeast Ohio. The route was sold to the Columbus & Gallipolis Railway in 1876 and construction of both tunnels began in March of 1877. Campbells Tunnel was to stretch 896 feet through bare sandstone, while Eagle Tunnel was to reach 340 feet with stone lining.
Construction funding was depleted by 1878 and the line was sold to the Ohio & West Virginia Railway. Finally completed in October 1880, the route was sold yet again to the Columbus, Hocking Valley & Toledo Railway (later Hocking Valley Railway) in 1881 and ultimately merged into the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad in 1930. The last train through Campbells Tunnel ran June 7, 1979 and the line was abandoned from Logan to Minerton in 1982.
These modern-day photos show Campbells Tunnel in good condition, largely unchanged from 1880 construction. Nearby Eagle Tunnel was modified with concrete lining and portals in the mid-1940s and was sealed at both ends following abandonment.
Note: This text and accompanying photos are the copyright of Christopher Muller and may not be reproduced in whole or in part on any website, message board, or other medium.
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