Elkhorn Tunnel

[paulytechnic]

The blowers were in service for only 9 years, between 1950 and 1959. I'm not sure exactly when the electric motors themselves were removed. The best history I can find on the Elkhorn blowers is on this (older) page: https://www.oocities.org/svrr_photos/page3.htm

[NW 2156]

Thanks.

Very interesting system.

Shame it doesn't still operate.

I do wonder how many HP those motors had to be to turn those wheels?

Robert

[paulytechnic]

Got the portal "planted" with TSRE and was relieved to see it load without issue in Open Rails! 😎

Before:
Elkhorn_Before.png

After:
Elkhorn_After.png

[paulytechnic]

Just upload the Elkhorn Tunnel update this evening, so it should hopefully be available in the file library within the next few days. I also included the modified tile and world files, so it should be a true "drop-in" update, with no further editing with TSRE required.

[kennyeaton]

Hi Paul,

Thank you so much for this incredible piece that you have created. This looks great in the route. Although these have not been active in decades, there still somewhat of a landmark so to speak. I hired on the Pokey in 1977 and taking heavy coal trains through with 4-unit pushers, there was still a need for these for the conductor and flagman in the caboose. diesel smoke would fill the caboose not even halfway through the 7,700-foot tunnel.

Maybe some of the sound experts in here could create a sound post of the blowers to install in the route when passing by this point. That would be cool.

Again, thank you for the time-consuming work that you guys do building these structures.

Kenny

Untitled11.jpg

[paulytechnic]

My pleasure, Kenny! This was a fun (and educational) challenge to build! 😃

Some operational blower sounds would be fun! I also read that, even when not operating, the wind blowing around the ductwork would create an eerie whistling sound.

[burgerbern]

Great Addition to the route, Many thanks for all the hard work

Elkhorn_Fans.jpg