
"The Lisbon railroad tunnel, which is officially named the Taft Tunnel, was originally built by the Norwich and Worcester Railroad in 1837. There is some debate as to whether or not it's actually the very first railroad tunnel in America but it is most definitely the oldest railroad tunnel in America still in use in its original form as the tunnel and tracks are still used by the Providence and Worcester Railroad."
Ever since that first visit back in April, I'd been wanting to go back out to the tunnel and as yesterday was a beautiful autumn day with no rain in sight for a change, I decided it would be a good time to head back over. I wanted to see if maybe there was some good foliage to be found along the river near the tunnel and figured I didn't have too much more time before all the leaves were on the ground and the only foliage would be of the raking-and-bagging variety!

The tunnel looked pretty much like it did when I last saw it in April - which is probably also pretty much like it looked in 1837! The only difference was that there wasn't a lot of standing water at the north end of the tunnel like there was back in April which meant I could walk the 300 feet to the other end and get some pictures there.
With my friend Kevin's words of "you didn't walk all the way through last time because you were scared" ringing in my head - along with what I'm pretty sure was the sound of my heartbeat ringing through my ears - I started through the tunnel while all the time really, really, really hoping that a train wasn't going to pick that time to come down the tracks. Even though the tunnel is 23 feet wide, I didn't relish the thought of pressing myself against the side of the rock wall in abject terror while a train rumbled past.
As I got closer to the north end, the floor of the tunnel got mushier and some of the railroad ties were loose beneath my feet but I made it all the way through to the other side just in time to hear a rumbling that I knew was not coming from the river.
Oh good Lord, a train was coming! I quickly found a small area less than ten feet from the tracks that looked like the best place to be out of the way and sat down on a small rock just in time to see Engine 4001 come around the bend.





As I sat in the car for a few moments before turning towards home, the blogger in me kicked in as I thought "This is going to make a great post! I hope the pictures came out okay!"
All in all, I'd have to say that yesterday's trip to the Taft Tunnel was quite the adventure but I honestly don't think I'm going to be doing that again anytime soon - no matter how pretty the foliage on the north side ended up being! Unless, of course someone else wants to go with me next time!

There's nothing like getting up close and personal is there? LOL
ReplyDeleteWay kewl and pretty pics too
ReplyDeleteThat was a nice description with feeling and great pctures
ReplyDeleteall for the sake of the blog.... LOL!
ReplyDeleteThose are super cool pictures! Can't wait to show them to hubby. He's a big train fan!!!! You should submit them and the story to a train magazine! Seriously!
Duchess Linda,
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful post! Lois is right, you should submit this to a train magazine.
I was right there with you with the ground rumbling and the train approaching and the feeling of scariness and all.
The photos are great. I like the one with Engine 4001 coming right at us.
If I were you I'd still be shaking today.
I've been there. But you were lucky to have a train come through that day. Now in the last picture, if you continue down along side the tracks (along the river) you will come across a small man made damn. It's an interesting area to hike.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you timed your walk through the tunnel just right. Yep, I'd not like to be caught in there with a train either.
ReplyDeleteHave a terrific day Linda. Big hug. :)
Great pictures! And an amazing story to go with it. You are definitely braver than I am these days. But adventurers always have the best stories, and pictures! You go girl!
ReplyDeletewow that was exciting! i think i would have had to change my underwear though! ha ha ha
ReplyDeletesmiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
How exciting!! You are a true pioneer, Linda.
ReplyDeleteLinda, you ought to be grounded - but you do have a D60, so I guess not. I am thinking like the cartoon where, say. Wile-E-Coyote chases the roadrunner into the train tunnel and too late finds the freight train in his path...The tunnel was built in an era when it had to be carved out by hand. The railroad is like many short freight lines, we don't pay attention to the freight that has to be moved. A stunning capture, but please take more care in the dangerous world of photo art...
ReplyDeleteGood Grief girl, are you trying to turn yourself into one of those ghost we were hunting a few weeks ago! I am glad that train didn't get any closer. I bet you were shaking. I know I would have been.
ReplyDeleteThe photos are awesome though! You did good.
I love all of these photos, but especially the last one with just the tracks. I'm so envious that you can capture things like this and have them look amazing.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post though it did bring back a few close encounters of the train kind. I'm glad you emerged safe and sound with some great pictures.
ReplyDeletegirl don't you know it's DANGEROUS to walk on the tracks??!!! Haven't you SEEN Fried Green Tomatoes??!!!!
ReplyDeleteMy Grandaddy, the UP switchman for 40 years, would spank you good for that stunt!!
and no, cabooses held the brakeman and conductor etc for the train...FRED took over and now cabooses are no longer needed....sigh
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caboose
I'll go with you next time!!! hehe I've walked through train tunnels myself, hoping no train comes in. lol No doubt you were VERY happy that the train didn't come while you were still in the tunnel, that would have been pretty scary indeed. A little TOO close for comfort. Love all the pictures you took, though...what we do for our blog! lol xoxo
ReplyDeleteThat engine looks too darned big to make it through that tunnel. I'm sure it's an illusion, but boy! That looks tight.
ReplyDeleteI would love to go on a walk-about with you! I'd just have to remember to take a change of clothes...
~~~Blessings~~~
MamaGeek calls that an art attack...when you're so focused on getting the perfect shot that you're nearly scared to DEATH!!
ReplyDeletegreat shots!
Holy Crackers! That was a close call! You got some great pictures, though, so it was worth it. LOL!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great pictures of Taft Tunnel. I am a model railroader and plan on making a module of the tunnel for my layout. I will definitely be taking a stroll out to Lisbon to see it in person. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWow! Awesome! Wonderful story with fabulous pictures of a beautiful place and so close to home. I have been through the tunnel via foliage train ride up to Putnam and it is a great ride. Great storytelling too. You are a true talent in more ways than one. Thank you.
ReplyDelete