This weekend, Michael and I took a trip to New Denmark, New Brunswick to explore a nearly-forgotten railway tunnel. The Blue Bell Tunnel is a relic of New Brunswick’s railway history.
A Bit of History
Constructed around 1911, the Blue Bell Tunnel was a crucial part of the New Brunswick Coal and Railway Company’s railway line. The roughly 400 foot long tunnel was used primarily to transport coal, and some other goods.
As the railway industry declined, so too did the tunnel’s importance. By the late 1950s, it had fallen into disuse. The tracks were removed and the tunnel was left to decay.
Exploring the Forgotten
Now, the Blue Bell Tunnel is a haunting reminder of the past. Overgrown with vines and moss, the tunnel’s entrance is almost hidden from view in the summer months. This time of year, the approach is a snowy, icy cut through rocks still covered in green moss. A pile of collapsed rock debris barricades halfway up the opening, and a similar mound hinders passage midway through the tunnel.
To learn more about the bridge, check out this CBC story:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/blue-bell-abandoned-tunnel-nb-1.6568620
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