1854-1963 B&O #3 and #4 Tunnels near Smithburg, WV

#3: (Archived Bridge Hunter; Bridge Hunter returns 403; Satellite)

#4: (Archived Bridge Hunter; Bridge Hunter returns 403; Satellite, Bridge Hunter's pin)

The North Bend Rail Trail uses Tunnel #4, but it goes south of Tunnel #3. That is, #3 is abandoned. Bridge Hunter has "Long Run Tunnel" in its title for #4, but its name is Sherwood. I agree with the following post that #3 is Long Run Tunnel.

Tunnel #3

Mike Tewkesbury posted three images with the comment: "The abandoned Trough Tunnel, known as Long Run or Tunnel Number 3 of the B&O Railroad, in Doddridge County WV, built in 1854 and bypassed in 1963. Other tunnels were either bypassed, daylighted or modified to add three feet of clearance to the tight tunnel heights. Tunnel 3 retains its original 14 feet 2 inches. Of the 21 tunnels along the 72 mile long Parkersburg Branch, eight were daylighted, floors were lowered in five, ceilings were raised in four, three were bypassed and another complete bore was made to replace Tunnel 21 that collapsed during reconstruction. All of this is now part of the North Bend Rail Trail, aka, Rails to Trails. A nice touch to this adventure is that an artist, unknown to me at the time, asked if he could use my photo so he could recreate it in a drawing. He did just that and, as a way of thanking me, sent me a half a dozen greeting cards featuring that very drawing. He didn't have to do that and I am very grateful. A pic of the amazing card is included."

[After they did all of that work in 1963, when was this route abandoned?]

1

2, cropped

3

Tunnel #4

Photo by sparkyoffspring via ArchivedBridgeHunter_#4

This tunnel is dark because it is curved and long. The marker is at the west portal. The east portal is above the top of the Buckeye Creek.

Satellite

Correction, the curve is small enough that daylight can get through.

Andrew Debner, Jul 2023

846' is 258m.

Dana Rukse, Oct 202

It appears it is lined with cut stone instead of bricks.

Dana Rukse, Oct 2020

Both

1961/63 Smithburg Quad @ 24,000

Tunnel #3 is the one that is close to Long Run Road.

Satellite

I've studied the B&O quite a bit in New York. I also need to study the B&O routes in West Virginia. These tunnels are between West Union and Salem. So it appears the mainline to St. Louis is abandoned.

rumsey