Looking forward from the second unit of a three unit helper set about to enter Sand Patch Tunnel on the return trip to Hyndman. The tunnel is 4,475 feet long. The original tunnel was single track and was widened to accommodate double track in 1913. If you look closely, you can see the other end of the tunnel through the engineer's window in the lead unit.

This is what the engineer sees on a westbound train after coming out of the tunnel. I am on the lead unit of a two unit helper set. During the delay while we were waiting east of the tunnel, the road crew moved from the second unit back to the caboose. The rear brakeman cut us off from the train when we were halfway through the tunnel. The units went into emergency and the train continued since he had closed the angle cock on the caboose but not the angle cock on the engine. After closing the angle cock and restoring the air, we moved up in front of the tower to get authority to proceed back down the mountain to Hyndman.

Sand Patch Index

Sand Patch Tower