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Coordinates: 43°07′59″N 79°10′52″W / 43.133074°N 79.181082°W / 43.133074; -79.181082
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43°07′59″N 79°10′52″W / 43.133074°N 79.181082°W / 43.133074; -79.181082

The tunnel before it was walled
The tunnel in winter, after being sealed

The Grand Trunk Railway Tunnel, also known as the "Blue Ghost Tunnel", is an abandoned railway tunnel located in the community of Thorold, Ontario, which runs under lock 18 of the former third Welland Canal (1887-1932).[1] [2] The decision to build the tunnel came from the need for "a more durable and less interrupted way to cross the new canal" situated directly above it via vehicles. [3] The tunnel, which is situated between locks 18 and 19, was built using Queenston limestone and spans a total length of 713 feet when including the winged stone work at either end.[4] Hundreds of men armed with picks and shovels, as well as several horses were used in the excavation of the tunnel.[5] The tunnel was used periodically until 1915, when Harry Eastwood was the last official engineer to pilot a train through the tunnel.[6] Following that, the tunnel was used only occasionally by farmers to transport cattle or as a safe passage from the weather.[7] The tunnel is currently approximately 131 years old.[8]

Accidents

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Several fatal accidents occurred during the construction and use of the tunnel and the railway running through it. In 1875, a fourteen year old was killed when they were crushed under a large rock.[9] On January 3rd, 1903 at 7:03 AM and approximately a third of a mile from the western entrance of the tunnel, Engine Number 4 and Engine Number 975 met in a head on collision.[10] The trains were moving at approximately 22 miles per hour when they crashed, and the firemen of both trains were killed as a result of their injuries.[11] Charles Harning of Engine Number 4 was killed during the crash when his body was trapped between the boiler and the tentler.[12] Abraham Desult from Engine Number 975 received burns to the majority of his body when the crash occurred, leading him to die in St.Catherine's General Hospital five hours later as a result of his injuries.[13] On August 1st, 1928 at lock 6, a crane crashed into the lock chamber.[14] Eight men were killed instantly, while another two men died two days later after being rushed to St.Catherine's General Hospital as well as Homer Construction Hospital.[15] Another twenty-two men were injured in the accident, thirteen of which would not return to work on the site.[16] On August 1st, 1930 at lock 6 an accident occurred which killed eight men and left twenty injured.[17] In total, 107 men were killed during the construction of the tunnel and the canal in its surrounding area.[18] Many believe the tunnel is haunted due to the high amount of casualties that have occurred at the site. [19]

Lakeview Cemetery

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In the 1920's, it was decided that a fourth Welland canal would be built, which would leave the area occupied by the Old Cemetery to be covered by the canal pondage area.[20] Residents of Thorold were asked to make arrangements to ensure that any relatives buried in Old Cemetery would be moved to the new Lakeview Cemetery.[21] While Old Cemetery housed a total of 913 graves, only 250 were transferred to Lakeview Cemetery.[22] This left 663 graves to be covered by the canal pondage area near the tunnel.[23]

References

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  1. ^ Scribner's Magazine v. 11, p.282 - 1892 link
  2. ^ Jackson, John N. The Welland Canals and Their Communities: Engineering, Industrial, and Urban Transformation. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1997. ISBN 978-0-8020-0933-3 linkj
  3. ^ Brady, Cathy&George. "Blue Ghost Tunnel". Hamilton Paranormal. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  4. ^ Brady, Cathy&George. "Blue Ghost Tunnel". Hamilton Paranormal. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  5. ^ Brady, Cathy&George. "Blue Ghost Tunnel". Hamilton Paranormal. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  6. ^ Brady, Cathy&George. "Blue Ghost Tunnel". Hamilton Paranormal. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  7. ^ Brady, Cathy&George. "Blue Ghost Tunnel". Hamilton Paranormal. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  8. ^ Brady, Cathy&George. "Blue Ghost Tunnel". Hamilton Paranormal. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  9. ^ "The Blue Ghost Tunnel: Making of a Legend The Real History of The Blue Ghost Tunnel". Out of the Dark: The Ghost Hunting Chronicles. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  10. ^ Brady, Cathy&George. "Blue Ghost Tunnel". Hamilton Paranormal. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  11. ^ Brady, Cathy&George. "Blue Ghost Tunnel". Hamilton Paranormal. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  12. ^ Brady, Cathy&George. "Blue Ghost Tunnel". Hamilton Paranormal. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  13. ^ Brady, Cathy&George. "Blue Ghost Tunnel". Hamilton Paranormal. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  14. ^ "The Blue Ghost Tunnel: Making of a Legend The Real History of The Blue Ghost Tunnel". Out of the Dark: The Ghost Hunting Chronicles. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  15. ^ "The Blue Ghost Tunnel: Making of a Legend The Real History of The Blue Ghost Tunnel". Out of the Dark: The Ghost Hunting Chronicles. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  16. ^ "The Blue Ghost Tunnel: Making of a Legend The Real History of The Blue Ghost Tunnel". Out of the Dark: The Ghost Hunting Chronicles. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  17. ^ "The Blue Ghost Tunnel: Making of a Legend The Real History of The Blue Ghost Tunnel". Out of the Dark: The Ghost Hunting Chronicles. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  18. ^ "The Blue Ghost Tunnel: Making of a Legend The Real History of The Blue Ghost Tunnel". Out of the Dark: The Ghost Hunting Chronicles. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  19. ^ "The Blue Ghost Tunnel: Making of a Legend The Real History of The Blue Ghost Tunnel". Out of the Dark: The Ghost Hunting Chronicles. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  20. ^ Brady, Cathy&George. "Blue Ghost Tunnel". Hamilton Paranormal. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  21. ^ Brady, Cathy&George. "Blue Ghost Tunnel". Hamilton Paranormal. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  22. ^ Brady, Cathy&George. "Blue Ghost Tunnel". Hamilton Paranormal. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  23. ^ Brady, Cathy&George. "Blue Ghost Tunnel". Hamilton Paranormal. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
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Category:Buildings and structures in St. Catharines Category:Railway tunnels in Ontario Category:Transport in Niagara Region, Ontario

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