The Hoosac Tunnel was expected to take about 4 1/2 years to finish. Geologists said that there would be no major obstacles, no water problems, and no weak earth. None of this turned out to be true. In the end it took 23 years, 195 lives and estimates between 17 and 21 million dollars. In 1881 double tracking was added. On February 9, 1875 the first train passed through the tunnel (carrying a few flatbeds and a boxcar filled with people), on April 5th the first freight train passed, finally on Oc

Next to the East Portal of the Hoosac Tunnel is a stone laid sluice which originates at the base of Twin Cascade in Florida. This was built by the railroad to both use and control the water flowing down the mountain to the Deerfield River. The stone walls are built high to protect the buildings and the tunnel from flooding. The trail to the waterfalls follows alongside and then dissappears under River Road only to come out again with a beautiful stone arch to tumble into the Deerfield. Our hike