Northern Utah Elberta Slant Train Tunnel aka TCRR #1 Tunnel

[Greg]

Seems like a lot of people are interested in the Elberta Slant Train Tunnel (TCRR #1 Tunnel) these days, thought we could share the location for others since it seems to keep coming up. It's located outside of Elberta, just South of Little Moab. You can follow the old railroad grade in & out of the tunnel, the grade and tunnel were built but I don't think the track were ever laid, so no worries about getting a spike in the tires!

The Tintic Mining District is rich with history dating back to the 1860's. It wasn't until June 24th, 1882 when the Union Pacific completed its line to the Tintic District. Mining crescendoed into the 80's and 90's but hit an economic crash in the 1920's. Slowly, the small mining towns started disappearing. Until this day, only two towns remain; Eureka and Mammoth. The railway was abandoned and left to weather. Now, the railway is almost forgotten and vanished with the exception of a few feet of tracks near the trailhead, some supporting structures, and one awesome tunnel.

Here's the location on Google Maps - https://goo.gl/maps/dHkz4N7Rj2K2

GPS coordinates - N 39° 59.939 W 112° 01.578

We traveled thru the tunnel during the RME New Years Snow Run on Jan. 1st and there are pics and footage in the video. The footage of the tunnel starts at 2:25 in the video.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1517171438330587

 

[cruiseroutfit]

That name though... It's the TCRR #1 Tunnel

Oh, and they absolutely ran trains on the line

 

[Greg]

Amazing photo, love that trestle! I didn't see any signs of track leftovers, usually I have a pretty good eye for that.... someone did a great job cleaning it up.

Edited the thread to reflect the proper name.... thanks Kurt!

 

[jeeper]

If you know where to look, you can still find rr ties in the main graded road. We have followed the entire grade from Elberta to eureka. Has to be done on dirt bikes in certain areas though.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Some of that clean up was far more recent lol
https://www.deseretnews.com/article...fraud-scheme-impersonating-LDS-officials.html

The trestle would have been pretty amazing to see, as would have the other tunnels. The foundations of the trestle are still visible as are remnants of the other tunnels.

Some history on the TCRR and that awesome trestle fwiw:
http://www.expeditionutah.com/forum/index.php?threads/eureka-ghost-rail-tintic-range-railroad.5086/