Re: Alpine Tunnel Glass

Posted by Kurt Maechner on Oct 20, 2017; 12:09am
URL: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/Alpine-Tunnel-Glass-tp9540p9799.html

In reference to the inconvenience of walking into the tunnel to light the oil lamp, I have always assumed that the snowshed doors had to be closed by someone not on the train (during a season when this was necessary of course).  For example, a westbound train probably would stop before entering the tunnel and a crew member would open the snow shed doors at east portal.  (The west portal doors were opened potentially by someone at the west portal complex either based on time schedule or a whistle)  The train would then proceed through the tunnel.  Presumably it would continue onto the Alpine Tunnel complex.  Someone, then, had to walk back through the tunnel, possibly someone who worked there (section gang?), to close the doors again, and then walk back.  I'm just guessing, of course, but it seems that workers walking through the tunnel had to be somewhat common.