I rode the GSMR as a young child in the early 90s. Inspired by the story of the drowned workers and their burial in the tunnels, I took a flash photograph while passing what looked like regular features on the tunnel wall.
In the picture was the legs of a figure affixed to the wall in a 'zebra-stripe' style prison outfit.
We lost the picture in a house fire later. I'd love to know more about the figures. Are they still up? Anyone know more pics online of them?
Hey. I work for the GSMR and I'm glad you got this video. As of 8/8/08 the railroad is going to stop running Tuckasegee River excursions (part of which goes through this tunnel). They're shutting down the Dillsboro Depot and laying off around 40 employees. I'm one of them. The tunnel was always my favorite part of the Tuck run.
Very haunted, halfway through the tunnel you start getting the chills!!! Yes, there is a true story of prisoners who were involved in the construction of the tunnel. They were being transported across the river and the boat they were in overturned. Being in chains they all drowned. They are all buried above the tunnel in unmarked graves.
This involved crossing the rain swollen river to put the convicts to work, the boat overturned & the 19 shackled convicts drowned, 1 trustee saved the life of the prison guard according to withnesses, who thought that the trustee would be set free for his action, upon coming to, the guard noticed his wallet was missing, a search of the trustee turned up the wallet & money upon which the trustee was back into shackles & put to back at hard labor.
There is another section of the railroad further south near Andrews with a 2nd tunnel in which convict labor was killed in a blasting accident, they were buired in a fill as part of the ROW extention.
According to the GSMR website she should be back in service in 08. Like all steam engines they have to go through extreme maintance on the boiler and firebox. Nowdays that's time and money.
The Reason she was out of service, is because the oil burner needed major repairs, because she has been out since 04. By the way, which of the GSMR Diesels is this?
I work for GSMR. 1702 is indeed getting maintance on the boiler. The reason its taking so long is that we don't have the money and man power. Our steam locomotive expert just passed away a few months ago. So we shall see what happens.
I am sorry to hear of the loss at the GSMR of a valuable team member and extend my sorrows to the family. He is diffently irreplaceble person. Yes, I know money is the keyword for many big projects. Seems like GSRM could team up other steam operations nearby for help in getting the 1702 back into operation. And to you young people learn all you can of past technology because in the future we might have to go back to it.
Well, I was on the lookout for a ghost or two but, none showed up. :( Did you read on the GSMR website FAQ & rules: No spirits allowed on the train...
Big John dug this tunnel. Nineteen inmates died drowning in the Tuckasegee River at the mouth of the tunnel. They are buried in unmarked graves above the tunnel.
Ugh. I never liked going through the tunnel. I always hid under the seats. But we haven't been since 1999 when I was 9, and now I'm looking forward to going through.
It is a spoookkyee... tunnel. I once went into an abandon gold mine in Eastern Alabama. I did this when I was young and somewhat stupid. But, it was neat, found no gold though.
It kinda reminds me of a colonoscopy...
zcg3 10 months ago
Wow a curved tunnel! Those are rare!!!
TheZeke1974 10 months ago
someones always got to spoil the fun........
jeepers2655 11 months ago
I have been on the train ride a few years ago and it is haunted.
rockstarmonster90 1 year ago
I miss this excursion:(
TRR12fan 1 year ago
I rode the GSMR as a young child in the early 90s. Inspired by the story of the drowned workers and their burial in the tunnels, I took a flash photograph while passing what looked like regular features on the tunnel wall.
In the picture was the legs of a figure affixed to the wall in a 'zebra-stripe' style prison outfit.
We lost the picture in a house fire later. I'd love to know more about the figures. Are they still up? Anyone know more pics online of them?
cotmm68030 3 years ago
Hey. I work for the GSMR and I'm glad you got this video. As of 8/8/08 the railroad is going to stop running Tuckasegee River excursions (part of which goes through this tunnel). They're shutting down the Dillsboro Depot and laying off around 40 employees. I'm one of them. The tunnel was always my favorite part of the Tuck run.
pajamalover 3 years ago 6
is dillsboro where they have the bluegrass music playing and the food?!? i went here in 05 i think, favorite train ride ive been on. = (
camaroracer454 3 years ago
Yeah, I miss the Tuck trips very much. I got a lucky ride on this engine in this route once.
yq190fan 3 years ago
I might be wrong, but is this the supposedly haunted tunnel?
Wanted272 3 years ago
Very haunted, halfway through the tunnel you start getting the chills!!! Yes, there is a true story of prisoners who were involved in the construction of the tunnel. They were being transported across the river and the boat they were in overturned. Being in chains they all drowned. They are all buried above the tunnel in unmarked graves.
tcarr22239 3 years ago
Man I just love this place, you learn something new and interesting about it everyday.
Wanted272 3 years ago
This involved crossing the rain swollen river to put the convicts to work, the boat overturned & the 19 shackled convicts drowned, 1 trustee saved the life of the prison guard according to withnesses, who thought that the trustee would be set free for his action, upon coming to, the guard noticed his wallet was missing, a search of the trustee turned up the wallet & money upon which the trustee was back into shackles & put to back at hard labor.
NOOOQUARTER 3 years ago
There is another section of the railroad further south near Andrews with a 2nd tunnel in which convict labor was killed in a blasting accident, they were buired in a fill as part of the ROW extention.
NOOOQUARTER 3 years ago
creepy!
DanielVolker 3 years ago
@tcarr22239 me & my friends are starting up a paranormal group, where is this location & does the train still go thro here?
CI321 4 months ago
We'll be riding the GSMR now... that is one of the coolest (and the narrowest) tunnels I have ever seen. Thank you sir for posting!
hraidel 4 years ago
Before you go find out when the steam engine 1702 is back in operation, that's when you really ride the rails.
tcarr22239 4 years ago
Thanks for the advice. Is it out of service for awhile?
hraidel 4 years ago
According to the GSMR website she should be back in service in 08. Like all steam engines they have to go through extreme maintance on the boiler and firebox. Nowdays that's time and money.
tcarr22239 4 years ago
The Reason she was out of service, is because the oil burner needed major repairs, because she has been out since 04. By the way, which of the GSMR Diesels is this?
TVRM610 3 years ago
I'll get back with you on the diesel. I need to look back on the video to answer you question.
tcarr22239 3 years ago
It sounds like either #777 or #711 on this run.
TVRM610 3 years ago
I think it was the lucky triple seven from what I remember when I was seaching through the tape for the tunnel.
tcarr22239 3 years ago
It was 777. 777 is the only GSMR engine which faces Eastbound. And in this video the engine is heading Eastbound.
traintownofcowee 3 years ago
I work for GSMR. 1702 is indeed getting maintance on the boiler. The reason its taking so long is that we don't have the money and man power. Our steam locomotive expert just passed away a few months ago. So we shall see what happens.
traintownofcowee 3 years ago
I am sorry to hear of the loss at the GSMR of a valuable team member and extend my sorrows to the family. He is diffently irreplaceble person. Yes, I know money is the keyword for many big projects. Seems like GSRM could team up other steam operations nearby for help in getting the 1702 back into operation. And to you young people learn all you can of past technology because in the future we might have to go back to it.
tcarr22239 3 years ago
R.I.P GERG i wish they could get the steam engine back up and running again
cowgirl29 3 years ago 4
Haha. Nice.
traintownofcowee 4 years ago
Hehehe. That was 5 years ago. I was a lot younger and more imature then. lol
traintownofcowee 4 years ago
That's ok at my age I still have a little fun. When I go on rail trips I dress up as a bandit armed with a dangerous Canon camera.
tcarr22239 4 years ago
Awesome Video. They say that they are ghosts in the Cowee tunnel. Whenever I ride the GSMR I make ghosts sounds whenever we go through the tunnel.
traintownofcowee 4 years ago
Well, I was on the lookout for a ghost or two but, none showed up. :( Did you read on the GSMR website FAQ & rules: No spirits allowed on the train...
tcarr22239 4 years ago
Can't help but think about the workers who dug (and blasted!) out this tunnel; It appears to be mostly granite - Quite a feat. . .
SpartaG 4 years ago
Big John dug this tunnel. Nineteen inmates died drowning in the Tuckasegee River at the mouth of the tunnel. They are buried in unmarked graves above the tunnel.
tcarr22239 4 years ago
I bet it was fun in steam days!
JimTLonW6 4 years ago
It is narrow tunnel. Smoke and steam would fill up the cab of the engine choking the crew.
tcarr22239 4 years ago
Ugh. I never liked going through the tunnel. I always hid under the seats. But we haven't been since 1999 when I was 9, and now I'm looking forward to going through.
back10506 4 years ago
It is a spoookkyee... tunnel. I once went into an abandon gold mine in Eastern Alabama. I did this when I was young and somewhat stupid. But, it was neat, found no gold though.
tcarr22239 4 years ago