Phoenixville Tunnel Cache Traditional Cache
Phoenixville Tunnel Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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Phoenixville Tunnel Cache. No trains, abandoned tracks and tunnel. Bushwhacking the overgrown rail bed is required. Boots are a must! I increased the rating due to feedback from a not found.
Update July 2014 - The county is working on the Schuylkill River Trail which runs on, or parallel to the access from the parking coordinates. It seems the trail will NOT use the tunnel at this point. I have not scouted the area yet. You might be able to access the cache from the North, parking at the Cromby Schuylkill River Trail head parking lot (If you attack from the north you wont need to enter the tunnel). You may also be able to park at the noted parking coordinates and follow the new trail (under construction) to get close to the tunnel. Less bushwhacking, less water!. I'll update the ratings once the trail is complete and I visit the cache. The tunnel was built in 1884. It is approximately 811 feet long and 24 feet wide. The tunnel, which was later acquired by the Pennsylvania Railroad, runs parallel to the west of Fairview Street, underneath Fillmore Street. After the First World War increasing competition from automobiles and trucks led to passenger train services being discontinued in 1928. However, freight services continued to use the line.
The line, which was used by Conrail from Kimberton to Phoenixville, was abandoned in the 1980s.
(Thanks Wikipedia for the info) It is near the 1835 Phoenixville Black Rock Tunnel, the second railroad tunnel to be built in the United States. To see that tunnel visit cache
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=GCG8NY
Gordo's Wild Train Cache. You MUST wear boots, high waterproof boots, if you visit this cache when its wet out.
Here is a video, no spoilers, just a taste of what you may see.
It is NOT necessary to cross any private property when visiting this cache. The route you will take may someday be part of the future Schuylkill River Trail.
When I placed this cache I started out from the south. The parking coordinates reflect this. It took about an hour to find the tunnel entrance and then make way to where the cache is. It took 20 minutes to hike out.
Coming from the south you will need to pass through the tunnel to get to the cache. If approaching from the North I have no idea if its passable or broaches private property. The cache is NOT accessible from Fillmore Street. You do not need to go through the cemetery to get to the cache.
The cache is an ammo can, on the smaller size. Initial contents include a log book, some pencils, a couple of flashlights and a few other misc items. Bring your own flashlight unless you want to go through the tunnel with limited visibility. You can see one end from the other. I'll try an add some pictures and maybe a link to a non-spoiler video in the next week or two. If you cache in trash out it would make it an even cooler place!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ng rlr yriry jura fgnaqvat. Sbyybj gur envy orq sebz gur ebnq.