Loaded Coal out of Hoosac Tunnel

The Hoosac Tunnel was expected to take about 4 1/2 years to finish. Geologists said that there would be no major obstacles, no water problems, and no weak earth. None of this turned out to be true. In the end it took 23 years, 195 lives and estimates between 17 and 21 million dollars. In 1881 double tracking was added. On February 9, 1875 the first train passed through the tunnel (carrying a few flatbeds and a boxcar filled with people), on April 5th the first freight train passed, finally on Oc

The Boston & Maine at Hoosac Tunnel