Tunnel Collapse in Grant Co. Northern KY

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

With all the rain and snow and the saturated ground we have, this is what happens. I know that Locomutt and Cherokee Woman knows where this is at. This happened on the CSX LCL “Shortline” ex-L&N between Cincinnati and Louisville. I was out and about at this tunnel about a month ago. The tunnel is closer to Glencoe Ky (Gallatin County) than it is to Dry Ridge Ky. Thank goodness no serious injuries.

Brian (KY)

This is from Channel 9 WCPO Cincinnati
Two Hurt In Tunnel Collapse

Reported by: 9News
Web produced by: Mark Sickmiller
Photographed by: 9News
Last updated: 1/5/2005 11:53:50 AM

Rain is to blame for a tunnel that collapsed on a train in Dry Ridge in Grant County early Wednesday morning.

Two people were hospitalized for minor injuries. They were the only two people on board the CSX train.

The tunnel along Eagle Tunnel Road gave way around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, causing the train to derail.

The train was not hauling any hazardous materials.

CSX Railroad is investigating.

This is from Channel 5 WLWT Cincinnati
Tunnel Collapse Causes Train To Derail
Two Railroad Employees Injured

GRANT COUNTY, Ky. – Debris from a partial tunnel collapse caused a CSX train to derail, injuring two railroad employees this morning, the Grant County Sheriff reported.

The accident occurred about 3:30 a.m. off Eagle Tunnel Road between Glencoe and Elliston.

Two employees on the train were trapped for a short time and suffered minor injuries. Both were transported to St. Elizabeth-Grant County Hospital.

The train, consisting of two engines and 41 cars, was southbound from Toledo to Louisville and had stopped in Cincinnati. It was carrying a cargo of automobiles.

The train was not hauling hazardous materials.

Debris on the track caused the lead engine and 10 cars to derail.

CSX is inv

2

Buying a new car soon? Better check the history.

Good to hear that things weren’t worse. Getting trapped in a collapsed tunnel is not something I would wish on my worst enemy.

Jay

3

Brian, thanks for the info. Hadn’t heard that down here, yet. Remember
the pic you sent me of Eagle Tunnel. Printed it out, so I look at it every
once in awhile. Glad the injuries weren’t any worse, and also glad
no one else was in the tunnel: that could have been one hairy situ-
ation.

I know exactly where it is, from when I lived up in the area. CW only
knows by my talking about it.

I’m sure that it is too early to tell what’s going to happen, and when
the line will be reopened.

4

Concrete liner in the tunnel, timber cribbing or native rock excavation with concrete portals? - Anyone know.???

Spent 14 months in northern California Tunnels and was even accused by a Superintendent of caving in a tunnel “on purpose”[%-)], thus delaying his prized hotshot.
Will be curious to see how CSX reacts being that this will require special equipment and knowhow that CSX may or may not have available. Expect that this will be a trying time for the local maintenance troops. Keep us informed.

5

glad no one was seriously hurt. keep us posted
stay safe
joe

6

There is nothing to worry about. Whenever an auto carrier derails,every auto on that car must be scrapped,even if only one axle goes on the ground in the yards.

7

I aint buying a new car anytime soon as my vehicles are in good shape… but wow what a insightful post.

8

Update
Was watching the Lexington Ky news tonight and they showed photos of the derailment. RJ Corman was there with equipment. It showed the lead locomotive about halfway in tunnel. They said that it could be several days before cleanup.

Don’t know what the outcome of the tunnel will be or what all the damage is to it. There is a county road that goes directly on top of it. I always wondered why they never daylighted this tunnel. They did every other tunnel on that line. But was reading in a book about the costs of building a bridge to span that section and they said the cost would be extreme.

Brian (KY)

9

Wow
sounds like standley walbridge and willard yards might be getting full along with some sidings around deshler unless they have a detour route.
stay safe
Joe

10

Joe,
“Yahoo Ky Railfan” made mention of detouring through Seymour IN. And the CC Sub CSX was also mentioned. There was also talk on there that the delays could be 2-3 weeks with cleanup. The news station is saying 2-3 days.

Brian(KY)

11

Detour-is the old B & O open from Cincy to Seymour? If it is that would make the most sense. If not what route would there be.

12

CSX is also using the route via Patio (Winchester) and Louisville. This line known as the Old Road is seeing some of the detours. Two have been reported on the Kentucky Railfan Yahoo Group.

13

I’m not real famliar with that ‘route’,but with all the rain,that part of Indiana
is under a “Flood warning”. Do not know how it would affect the trains.

Using the route from Winchester (old road) would make more sense to me.

14

The latest word I’ve read online is that 150’ of the tunnel will be daylighted and the line will reopen on Wednesday weather permitting the construction work to get done.

Anyone know how tall the rock is above the roof of the tunnel? Sounds like light charges to shatter the rock and then some serious work for a trackhoe and dump trucks.