The Lapstone Tunnel. Blue Mountains NSW

the Lapstone Tunnel which operated as a railway tunnel from 1892 to 1913 was built as a new deviation for the Lapstone Zig Zag a way to have trains climb the Eastern Escarpment of the Blue Mountains. It proved to have many problems including poor ventilation and water leaks from a nearby creek causing trains slipping on the wet rails.
It was replaced in 1913 by a new deviation around The Bluff. Later it was used for growing mushrooms until WWII when it was taken over by the RAAF to store bombs and mustard gas.
After the war mushroom cultivation resume until 2015 when the lease was cancelled. It is now in the process of a large clean up operation by the Blue Mountains City Council.

[@swagmanexplores7472]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing Dennis.

[@slepper98]

Good info, thanks Dennis. It's now looking in fine shape. Cheers.

[@sjdtmv]

Be great if it become a tourist attraction after all the good work

[@johnstaring3210]

Wow, that is very impressive. I have watched various videos by people taken over the past few years where they have entered the tunnel with cameras. The place was an absolute mess with all the left overs from the mushroom farming. On my fairly frequent visits from the west coast (I am an ex Springwood resident) I usually bring my mountain bike and love to cycle up to the eastern portal and then around to the west, and I have hoped that one day this tunnel, as historically significant as it is, could be refurbished and opened, hopefully for walkers, integrated into a mountain bike trail, and also opened for specific interest groups. The work that has been carried out is absolutely brilliant, so well done to those responsible. I will again bring my bike on my next visit in the hope it is open for access.

[@leannekuehn]

Thank you...i was wondering where the old train line went.

[@markcastelletti483]

There are plans by Council to open the tunnel as part of a shared cycling-walkway but much work will be needed.