Nada Tunnel
Posted by: 
kbarhow
N 37° 49.028 W 083° 40.855
17S E 264017 N 4188912
Nice old tunnel that you can drive through. It is like going through a doorway to a hidden gem.
Waymark Code: WM1ANM
Location: Kentucky, United States
Date Posted: 03/17/2007
Views: 325
I stumbled into this one a few weeks back while on a business trip. This is the Nada Tunnel, which was used to haul logs to a nearby sawmill. This is the information of the sign at the entryway to the tunnel.
Gateway to Red River Gorge, Nada tunnel (measuring 13'x12'x900') was constructed to haul logs via narrow gauge railroad from timber operations in the gorge. Construction began in Dec. 1910 and was completed in Sept. 1911. Rock and dirt were removed by dynamite, steam drills and hand tools. One man was killed during tunnel construction when he attempted to thaw frozen dynamite which exploded when he set it near a fire.
A 25-ton and a 35-ton Climax locomotive were used to haul logs through the tunnel starting in 1912. The first load of logs became jammed in the tunnel and had to be dynamited free. It was enlarged to accommodate the large logs common to the area.
The railroad carried the logs 15 miles to a mill at Clay City. At one time it was the largest sawmill in the eastern United States.
You can drive through the tunnel. The area is quite remarkable.
Enjoy.
Construction: Natural - No lining
Condition: Good
Rail Status: No
Current status: Other
Original Use: Freight
Tunnel Length: 900.00
Terrain: 
Website: [Web Link]
Date Built: began in Dec. 1910 and completed in Sept. 1911
Date Abandoned: still in use
The "Other End": Not Listed
Suggested Parking Area: Not Listed
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