In a lot of states, railroad tunnels were carved into mountains and hills to allow trains to pass through while the tracks were otherwise still being laid. Being a prairie state, Nebraska isn't known for having much need for such tunnels. There's exactly one tunnel that has ever been built in the entire Cornhusker State: the Belmont Tunnel in Dawes County. Most people have no idea it exists, and the ones who do are almost always locals. This is the story of the most unique tunnel in Nebraska.
It's much more interesting than you'd probably assume, though.
The tunnel is near the idyllic near-ghost town of Belmont in northwestern Nebraska.
The town actually owes its very existence to the tunnel itself.
Workers settled in a temporary encampment for the sole purpose of digging this tunnel through a canyon wall for the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad companies. Eventually, the encampment had enough residents to merit naming, and the name that was settled upon was Belmont.
This picture shows a decaying wall along the path to the tunnel.
At the time of its construction in 1888-1889, the Belmont Tunnel was thought to be an incredible feat of engineering. It was considered important enough that, during World War I, guards stood close by to prevent the tunnel from being vandalized or otherwise sabotaged.
Here, you can just barely make out the number "1920" above the tunnel's entrance.
This was put in place after a freight train took out a portion of the tunnel in 1917. It was repaired and renovated from 1919 to 1920. The operation was not without its tragedies: one worker died in a cave-in during the tunnel's renovation.
At its peak population, the town of Belmont was only home to about 80 people.
That was nearly 100 years ago. Since then, the town has steadily shrunken. The post office was closed in 1956. The railroad stopped passenger service to and from Belmont in 1969, forcing the closure of Belmont's depot. That was the final nail in the town's coffin. Freight trains continued to roll through the tunnel until 1982.
Tracks once ran through this tunnel; now it's just crushed rock, silica, and dirt.
Inside the tunnel, some (objectively very tame) graffiti shows that this place hasn't been totally forgotten by everyone. BNSF Railroad still uses the tunnel today, and the road on the side is used as a service road for vehicles.
The tracks have been re-routed; now, they take a slightly different path - one that's right next to the tunnel.
These trains no longer haul passengers; there is only freight riding the rails.
The tunnel is in good condition for its age, which is well over 120 years.
It's still safe to walk through, though the path to the tunnel from the road can be a bit treacherous at time.
Looking south from the southern entrance of the tunnel, remains of the once-sturdy retaining walls can be seen on either side.
The train runs adjacent to the tunnel now, which makes you wonder: if tracks that don't need a tunnel could be laid nearby, why was the tunnel necessary in the first place?
Maybe advances in railroad technology have made it easier to lay alternate tracks next to the tunnel, or perhaps the tunnel was built as a visual treat for weary travelers who were tired of seeing nothing but Nebraska prairie.
This little-known tunnel is a one-of-a-kind feature of the Nebraska landscape. If you plan to go visit the Belmont Tunnel, be aware that it may be on private property. Always get permission from landowners before you visit sites like this!
Craving more Nebraska ghost towns? Check out this article!
Have you ever visited the Belmont Tunnel? Tell us about it in the comments!
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