Re: Engineering question- from MCPoor & EJHaley

Rich Muth Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The apex is not in the center of the tunnel. The
> tunnel is 1,771.7 feet long. The apex is 600 feet
> from the west portal and 1,171.7 feet from the
> east portal. The ascent in the tunnel is 2.57 feet
> from the west portal to the apex and 27.2 feet
> from the east portal to the apex.
>
> Info from page 61 of Dow Helmers book "Historic
> Alpine Tunnel".
>
>
> Rich


A few different numbers compiled by MCPoor and EJHaley from various sources.
Page 215 Denver South Park & Pacific Memorial edition. EJHaley was a cartographer
by trade.

West portal altitude 11605' ......(7' to apex)
Tunnel apex........... 11612'
East portal.............. 11600' ......(12' to apex)

They indicate a tunnel length of 1805' length per the C&S Engineering Dept.

There was extensive digging on the east side into the hill before the tunnel
portal itself was defined and a very limited amount on the west to obtain
full tunnel/portal height.

If someone would just redo the route for tourists we would know for sure since
the blocked bore complicates actual on rail measurements end to end within
the tunnel using the actual in place rail.

In the early 60's, 2 or 3 ribs of the east tunnel top could be seen and you could
actually crouch inside under the wood. Also the upper stone facing of the west
portal was clearly still there as was rail sticking out from the bottom of rubble
that obscured most of the west portal stonework.

Randy