Railroad Tunnel Covered Bridge Fire Cambridge Ohio 1868

On the west side of Cambridge, Ohio in the industrial section of town you’ll find the Columbus & Ohio River Railroad Tunnel and a Bridge on the east side of the tunnel spanning Wills Creek.
The main line was formerly part of the Pennsylvania Railroads “Panhandle”, and was acquired from Conrail in 1992.
I wasn’t able to find a specific date on when the tunnel was constructed but my research shows that it may have been built by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad who also built a covered bridge in 1868 on the east side of the tunnel crossing Wills Creek, which is most likely when the tunnel was built if not before. The bridge was lost in a fire in 1877 probably due to hot cinders from a steam locomotive. The tunnel is about 560 feet long, lined with brick and straight. The tunnel was rebuilt in 1913 likely due to the 1913 Flood which may have destroyed the bridge standing at that time. Above the tunnel sits U.S. Route 22/40. Although if you were just passing thru town, you would never guess a railroad tunnel was just under your feet.
Today an occasional train comes in from Zanesville to service several factories on the east and south sides of Cambridge, Ohio, before heading back to Zanesville. I made two visits to the tunnel in November 2021 and November 2023 but never saw a train on these tracks.
GPS Location: 40º01'28.7"N 81º36'18.1"W
www.HistoryInYourOwnBackyard.com
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[@jackwalsh1468]

Satolli, I really like these videos. I'm like a kid waiting for the Saturday cartoons to come on.. I'm looking forward to the next episode. Cheers, Mate.

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

LOL! I'm glad you're having as much fun with this as I am. :)

[@TravelwithAustin]

I probably drove above this tunnel so many times without realizing it

[@jeffs5093]

I have been through that area many times. I never knew about this tunnel, great find.

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

It's definitely not out in the open.

[@musclecarmitch908]

Awesome Episode! Beautiful tunnel and bridge! Great find! Thanks for sharing!👍

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

Thanks! It was a good find.

[@arsbadmojo]

What a great find! I love this series.

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

Glad you like the project

[@drock5404]

That is very cool! Who Dey!

[@dalety2328]

Thanks !! , I'll add this to my next visit to that area.

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

The best way to access the site is to park in the U.S. Bridge parking lot (Ask first of course) and walk back along the tracks to the tunnel. Here's where you should probably park: 40°01'31.0"N 81°35'57.4"W

[@benmoore701]

Them hills on top of the tunnell, used to have concrete steps to walk over and around with out much trees...seen on a postcard from like 1903, but since penny court burnt i haven't heen able to find this pic (drawn) recently

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

I did not know that! Thanks!

[@benmoore701]

@@historyinyourownbackyard2363 it is really beautiful I'm gonna keep trying to find it

[@TeddyBelcher4kultrawide]

Thomas was a useful engine

[@joeanderson9852]

👍👍

[@choirboyfromhell1]

NOOOOOOO!!! It was the original B&O main until the Newcastle extension! It's the Central Ohio Sub of the B&O and now Ohio Central's line to a point out east of town!

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

Where did you get your information? Obviously I was told something different.

[@choirboyfromhell1]

I was raised in nearby Mt. Vernon for starters…

[@choirboyfromhell1]

www.columbusrailroads.com/new/pdf/c&ccrr-part%203%20b&o.pdf

[@johnswigler6512]

🇺🇸🚂🧢