Four Tunnel in the Blue Ridge Region of Virginia on The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway by James Poyntz Nelson 1917
This is a short (18 pages) history of the Blue Ridge Tunnel and other C&O tunnels on the Blue Ridge.
With the recent opening of the old Blue Ridge Tunnel for visitors as part of a historic walk, we thought some might be interested in this 1917 booklet written by James P. Nelson that was published by C&O about the construction of the tunnels over the mountain.
Nelson was the "Valuation Engineer'" who oversaw the valuation survey of the C&O (one product of which was the valuation map set). He was interested in history and wrote a small book on C&O's history back to the Louisa RR days. He also prepared this booklet of 18 pages plus a large drawing showing clearances in the tunnel.
The booklet also includes four photos, both portals of Greenwood Tunnel and both ends of Blue Ridge Tunnel. Interestingly, all the photos show soldiers standing guard at the portals. The tunnels were considered to be in danger of sabotage since US had just entered World War I.
An interesting piece of history from an original C&O source.
C&OHS Digital Archives
