Location: St. Clair Railroad Tunnel (old)

Port Huron has had two railroad tunnels, both single track. The first was built in 1891 and powered by electric locomotives until the railroad was dieselized in the early 1958. The new, larger bore tunnel was built in the 1994 and the old tunnel closed.

Photo Info: Top, a postcard view of a pair of St. Clair Tunnel electric locomotives at Port Huron. [Charlie Whipp collection]; 2nd photo, a view from inside the tunnel, looking west through the portal in 1910. A postcard view. [Charles Geletzke Jr. collection]

Notes

The tunnel is 6,026 feet.

In the section under the river, work was done under compressed air. The lining of the tunnel was constructred of cast-iron segments, bolted together to form a continuous, watertight tube.

The lowest point of the tunnel is 94 feet below the river's surface. 

Originally, Baldwin Locomotive Works built four 97.5, 0-10-0T steam locomotives, reportedly the largest in the world at the time.

Time Line

1886. Tests were begun and over two years proved futile.

1889. Driving of the tubes began. Work was done by forcing 80-ton iron shields, 21' 7" in diameter, ahead using 24 hydraulic rams.

1891. September 19. The St. Clair tunnel is opened.

1908. The tunnel was electrified using six Baldwin locomotives rated at 750 HP each. Electrification lasted fifty years.

1958. The electrification of the tunnel was discontinued and diesel locomotives were used.

1994. The new tunnel opens and replaces the old 1891 tunnel.

Source: [SIA-1991-W]