Hoosac Tunnel Talk

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Sue Bush
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Hoosac Tunnel Talk

12:00AM / Friday, February 16, 2007

North Adams â€“ â€œThe Lining Towers of the Hoosac Tunnelâ€ is the title of the third talk in a free series of illustrated talks on railroading on March 4 at 2 p.m. at Western Gateway Heritage State Park.

Jerry Kelley will chronicle the arduous task that engineers had to align the Hoosac Tunnel in a straight line through the mountain using six lining towers. The series is a collaborative effort by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, North Adams Historical Society, North Adams Public Library and Berkshire Scenic Railway. It will be held in the Shipperâ€™s Office of the Visitorsâ€™ Center, Building 4. Refreshments will be served.

Kelley is an avid railroading fan and Hoosac Tunnel historian. His lifelong interest prompted him to create the website www.jkrails.net (The Hoosac Tunnel Then and Now). His work has been showcased in Railfan and Railroad magazines and National Public Radioâ€™s â€œEngines of Ingenuityâ€ series.

He also assisted the History Channelâ€™s â€œModern Marvelsâ€ show â€œDrillingâ€ with Hoosac lore. He is currently working on an article for the Boston and Maine Historical Societyâ€™s Bulletin magazine. In the event of inclement weather, the talk will be held on March 11.

The last talk in the series will be March 18 with Kinsley Goodrich and â€œThe Berkshire Street Railway: Trolley Systems of the Berkshires.â€

The park is located on Route 8 between State and Furnace Streets. For further information, call (413) 663-6312 or visit www.mass.gov/dcr/wghp .

The Visitors Center is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Its permanent exhibit is â€œThe Hoosac Tunnel and the People Who Built Itâ€.

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