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Re: Good By Niles Canyon Railroad?
Author: J Mann
Date: 06-22-2015 - 13:55
We had a map that showed a proposed tunnel that would have eliminated the "big curve". It punched into the hillside just west of the semaphore signals by what we call Estates Bridge, then popped out of the mountain by milepost 32 (just east of Farwell). As I remember it the plan was drawn up as part of the Harriman improvements to the railroad. Obviously it was not funded.
I think the Big Curve is what you think was a shoefly. That track was built by the original Western Pacific Railroad (1865 version) when building through the canyon. Back then trains ran slower and extra curvature was cheaper than building a tunnel. An interesting feature of that curve is at the eastern edge the top edge of the "Chinese Wall" is still visible. It was a huge cut stone embankment made by Chinese craftsmen to support the ROW. Unfortunately most of it has been covered up by fill through the years.
I think the Big Curve is what you think was a shoefly. That track was built by the original Western Pacific Railroad (1865 version) when building through the canyon. Back then trains ran slower and extra curvature was cheaper than building a tunnel. An interesting feature of that curve is at the eastern edge the top edge of the "Chinese Wall" is still visible. It was a huge cut stone embankment made by Chinese craftsmen to support the ROW. Unfortunately most of it has been covered up by fill through the years.
