The tunnel at East Dubuque is unique even more than you think!!!
At the time of its construction the CB&N was at a grade much lower than it is
today.
Because the IC had to meet the grade of the bridge the tunnel floor and
trackage was
at a level that was higher than the CB&N track. So, for a while at least,
until the CB&N
grade could be raised, the IC crossed the CB&N on a small swing bridge!!!!!
Charlie Vlk
The tunnel at E. Dubuque is owned & maintained by IC (CN). The Q (and
CGW) had rights going back to the days when E. Dbq was known as
Dunleith (old stock certificates for the nearby IC bridge across the
Mississippi are for the "Dubuque & Dunleith Bridge Co".).
The tunnel is unique for 3 reasons: it at one time had 3 RR's using
it; it makes a complete 90 degree curve within it portal to portal and
finally, when west-bd trains emerge they are immediately atop the
double track Q (BN) mainline and then in a matter of 20' or so are on
the bridge crossing the Mississippi. Quite a shock for engineers on
their 1st trip thru!
Yrs back there was a tower at the west portal (was @ 2 different parts
of the diamond over the yrs). At the east portal there was a shack
for a crossing guard (lasted into the 50's) as well as a tell-tale.
Until the IC rebuilt it for higher loads (autoracks) the exhaust from
steam could be seen atop the portals. last sgteam to go thru would
have been Q steam excursions from Dbq to Savannah in the early 60's.
The ICHS site may have photos; it is easy to find postcards of the
tunnel on eBay or any RR show; both lithos and RPPC. Gerald
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