Manunka Chunk Tunnel (Manunka Chunk, NJ)
Manunka Chunk Tunnel (a.k.a. Vass Gap Tunnel)
Manunka Chunk, New Jersey
The Warren Railroad began construction of a single-track tunnel in 1854 and, unlike nearby Oxford Tunnel, progressed rapidly to completion. The 938-foot tunnel was opened in 1856 and leased and operated as part of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western mainline. A second bore was constructed from 1867 through 1869 to provide double-track operation.
The Lackawanna Cut-Off opened in 1911, spelling a sharp decline in freight and passenger service on the DL&W's "Old Main." The line was returned to single-track in the 1940s and officially abandoned between Delaware and Washington, New Jersey, on April 21, 1970. Track was removed from the tunnel except for a small section trapped between two cave-ins of the westbound bore.
The tunnel was always prone to flooding despite the railroad's attempt to divert a nearby creek by wooden flume. This remains evident today as both bores are wet with sections of deep mud. The western 506 feet or each bore is curved, preventing an end-to-end view. Numerous rockfalls have occurred, the largest of which is a ceiling failure in the westbound bore.
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 MoreManunka Chunk, New Jersey
The Warren Railroad began construction of a single-track tunnel in 1854 and, unlike nearby Oxford Tunnel, progressed rapidly to completion. The 938-foot tunnel was opened in 1856 and leased and operated as part of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western mainline. A second bore was constructed from 1867 through 1869 to provide double-track operation.
The Lackawanna Cut-Off opened in 1911, spelling a sharp decline in freight and passenger service on the DL&W's "Old Main." The line was returned to single-track in the 1940s and officially abandoned between Delaware and Washington, New Jersey, on April 21, 1970. Track was removed from the tunnel except for a small section trapped between two cave-ins of the westbound bore.
The tunnel was always prone to flooding despite the railroad's attempt to divert a nearby creek by wooden flume. This remains evident today as both bores are wet with sections of deep mud. The western 506 feet or each bore is curved, preventing an end-to-end view. Numerous rockfalls have occurred, the largest of which is a ceiling failure in the westbound bore.
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.
