The "Big Dig" of its day, the Hoosac Tunnel was originally estimated to cost $2 million and take four years to construct. The "Great Bore" as it was known by its critics, would cost $21 million and take 24 years to complete. In 1875, at the time of its completion, the 4.75-mile-long tunnel was the second-longest in the world and the longest tunnel in North America (until 1916). It remains the longest in-use railroad tunnel east of the Rocky Mountains.
The tunnel also is known as "The Bloody Pit," as 196 people died over 24 years. Most died of from black powder explosions, falls or falling rocks. The worst incident took place on Oct. 17, 1867, when 13 workers died after being trapped in the "central shaft" after an explosion on the surface collapsed part of the vertical shaft. The explosion was the result of a candle igniting fumes from naphtha gas leaking from a nearby gasometer lamp.
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The "new fast route between New England and the West"
An early poster advertising the new fast route between New England and the West, which the 4.75-mile bore provided. A locomotive emerges from the West Portal.
Hoosac Tunnel workers
Hoosac Tunnel workers. Made from a glass plate owned by Randy Trabold.
The first attempt
Remains of the first attempt at boring the Hoosac Tunnel with a large, circular boring machine.
Outside the Hoosac Tunnel
A man sits outside the Hoosac Tunnel's eastern portal in Florida, Mass.
Orthochromatic plate exposed and developed by Randy Trabold 21 years after it was made. Made 1895; exposed Sept. 17, 1916.
The Eastern Portal
East Portal of the Hoosac Tunnel in 1897. Photo taken by C. Eddy. Made from a glass plate owned by Randy Trabold.
A view of the Eastern Portal
Eastern Portal of the Hoosac Tunnel, 1897. Made from a glass plate owned by Randy Trabold.
A new steel liner
In this photo from July 1979, a crew of 13 installs a steel liner in the Hoosac Tunnel. Photo by Joel Librizzi.
Train leaving the tunnel
Historic photo of the Hoosac Tunnel.
Inside the tunnel
Inside the Hoosac Tunnel. Date unknown.
In the distance
Hoosac Tunnel; down river. Developed from a glass plate owned by Randy Trabold.
A train approaches
Train approaching eastern end of Hoosac Tunnel.
The Central Shaft
On Oct. 17, 1867, an accident at the Central Shaft of the Hoosac Tunnel, pictured, took the lives of 13 workers. Although about 200 workers died building the tunnel, the accident was the greatest in number and most tragic. During the year it took to recover and bury their bodies, it is said, their ghosts roamed the woods around the trail to the shaft. Right: In this undated photograph made from a glass plate from the collection of North Adams Transcript photographer Randy Trabold, workers take a break from construction of the Hoosac Tunnel. Seen is the western portal in North Adams.
Under construction
This photo of the west portal of the Hoosac Tunnel, taken after nearly a mile of the project was completed, shows the brick arching needed due to the soft rock and water encountered during the blasting.
Illustration of workers in a vertical shaft
Skilled Irish and Cornish miners are pictured riding down the vertical shaft of the Hoosac Tunnel during construction. The 1,028 foot shaft enabled miners to work on the project from four headings.
Illustration of construction
Drawing of the construction of the Hoosac Tunnel.
Drilling the Hoosac Tunnel
1851 to 1875. Engraving of drilling in the tunnel.
Looking out of the Eastern Portal
Hoosac Tunnel; Eastern Portal.
View of the Hoosac Tunnel store
Bird's eye view of Hoosac Tunnel store. Original copy in collection of North Adams Public Library.
Construction continues
North Adams end of the Hoosac Tunnel taken during construction.
Construction on the Eastern Portal
Eastern Portal of the Hoosac Tunnel during construction. Made from glass plate owned by Randy Trabold.
Train engineer
A engineer drives a train through the Hoosac Tunnel
Hoosac Tunnel workers
Hoosac Tunnel. Made from a glass plate owned by Randy Trabold.
Tunnel workers in 1895
Hoosac Tunnel. Made from a glass plate owned by Randy Trabold.
On the tracks
D. Robertson. Hoosac Tunnel. Made from a glass plate owned by Randy Trabold.
All Aboard!
Hoosac Tunnel. Made from a glass plate owned by Randy Trabold.
Outside the eastern portal
Hoosac Tunnel. Taken by C. Eddy. Hoosac Tunnel. Made from a glass plate owned by Randy Trabold.
In North Adms
Western Portal of the Hoosac Tunnel in North Adams. Made from a glass plate owned by Randy Trabold.
Train on its way to the tunnel
A train on its way to the Hoosac Tunnel.
Central Shaft fan house
Inside view of the Central Shaft fan houses, showing the large electric motor, which now drives the huge fan. Formerly, an old-fashioned steam engine was used to drive the fan.
George M. Mombry's electric fuse explode
Photo of George M. Mombry's electric fuse exploder. Mombry, who oversaw the use of nitroglycerine at the Hoosac Tunnel, used an electric fuse to detonate the charges. Display of Fort Massachusetts Historical Society.
Hoosac Tunnel
Hoosac Tunnel
Saloon on wheels
Illustration of a "dining saloon on wheels."
George M. Mowbry
George M. Mowbry, often mistakenly credited with inventing nitroglycerin, is responsible for improving its transport through freezing it. Mowbry arrived at the Hoosac Tunnel in 1867 and began manufacturing nitro on site. It was first used at the tunnel in 1876.
Hoosac Tunnel in 1954
Hoosac Tunnel, western portal, 1954. Photo by Bill Tague.
Cross section of the Hoosac Tunnel
This photo from 1961 shows a cross section of the Hoosac Tunnel.
Hoosac Tunnel Nitroglycerin Works
Hoosac Tunnel Nitroglycerin Works. George M. Mowbry, proprietor. Hurd and Smith photographers.
Construction illustration
This illustration shows how the Hoosac Tunnel was built.
Nitroglycerin Factory
This illustration depicts George M. Mowbry's nitroglycerin factories.
Looking out of the west portal
Postcard image: Looking out of the west portal of the Hoosac Tunnel. Postcard was a gift of Thomas B. Annin, May 1968.
A view of the Hoosac Tunnel
Hoosac Tunnel.
Bond Family photograph at the Hoosac Tunnel
Members of the Bond family of North Adams are seen in this photo. Austin Bond, grandfather of Frank A. Bond, was treasurer of the state effort on the Hoosac Tunnel. The second woman from the right is Mrs. John Bond, mother of Frank Bond. To her right is Mrs T.W. Sykes, her sister.
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