Belmont Tunnel- Dawes County Nebraska
Posted by: 
NevaP
N 42° 33.433 W 103° 21.317
13T E 635018 N 4712957
This is the only Railroad Tunnel ever constructed in Nebraska.
Waymark Code: WM3VQX
Location: Nebraska, United States
Date Posted: 05/23/2008
Views: 138
The Burlington Railroad Belmont Tunnel passes through a ridge in Dawes County in the Pine Ridge area of northwest Nebraska. The railroad line reached the junction town of Alliance, 30 miles south of this point, in 1888 and construction materials for the continuation of the line to Crawford were freighted overland.
The 750 foot tunnel, cut through solid rock, was completed in 1890. It was enlarged in the 1920s but still provided passage for only a single rail line. In the 1970s the tunnel was abandoned when a new double line cut was constructed.
Visitors to the tunnel should not trespass onto railroad property. The tunnel is about 1.5 miles east of Hwy 71 and is located just north of the East Belmont Road bridge over the railroad tracks. It's clearly visible from 42 33.223N, 103 21.269W, a point east of the fence along the railroad.
From the parking coordinates go through the gate and walk north along the east side of the fence. This is private property but there's a GeocacheLink in here and visitors have permission to enter. My photos were taken about 9:30 Am. The best lighting for photographs is probably from mid morning to mid afternoon.