Built 1910 Opened 1910 Added to NRHP 17 August 1981 | NRHP Reference # 81000481 Area 4 ha Nearest city Scappoose | |
 | ||
Architect Chapman Timber Co.; Nehalem Timber & Logging Co. Similar Vernonia Lake, Banks–Vernonia State Trail, Sokol Blosser Winery, Tumalo Falls | ||
Portland and southwestern railroad tunnel top 7 facts
The Portland and Southwestern Railroad Tunnel, also known as the Nehalem Divide Railroad Tunnel, is an abandoned railroad tunnel near Scappoose, Oregon, United States, that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The tunnel was driven by the Portland and Southwestern Railroad, whose chief business was logging. Unusually for a logging railroad, the Portland and Southwestern built tunnels. In order to reach the far side of the Nehalem divide in the Northern Oregon Coast Range, the railroad undertook a 1,712-foot (522 m) tunnel. Some work was started in 1910, but most work began in 1918 and was completed in 1919. Since the tunnel was not through solid rock, the tunnel was lined with timber. The tunnel was used until 1945, when it was replaced by a truck road over the divide.
While portions of the tunnel roof have collapsed, the tunnel is still open from end to end.
The west portal is located at 45.83236°N 123.05044°W / 45.83236; -123.05044 (Portland and Southwestern Railroad Tunnel, west portal); the east portal is at 45.83243°N 123.04051°W / 45.83243; -123.04051 (Portland and Southwestern Railroad Tunnel, east portal).