Near the summit of old Hiway 40 was our starting point.

The old railroad right-of-way is only a short ride from old Hiway 40. An interesting fact is that this overcrossing was built to railroad clearances a year or two after the tracks were removed, leading to speculation that the railroad may someday replace the track. This is the summit, and we are about to proceed east, toward Donner Lake and Truckee.

The first tunnel we enter is Tunnel 6, the summit tunnel. This tunnel was carved by hand through solid granite in the mid 1800s. Average progress was about six inches per day. In addition to working from both ends, in order to reduce the time required a vertical shaft was carved at about the mid point of the tunnel so that work could proceed on four faces at once. Upon completion, a steel cap was placed over the top of the shaft. This cap is visible from the old Hiway 40.

Close up of the cap. It is made of a solid row of rails with a sheet metal cover.

Inside Tunnel 6, looking straight up the shaft. Some day I'll go in here with a powerful light and get a better photo.

Well, here's an attempt in 2010 with a spotlight pointed up the shaft.

Exiting Tunnel 6, looking at Tunnel 7.

Tunnel 7 is actually a short snowshed protecting a cut. It has a distinctive curved roof.

This photo was taken maybe 30 years ago. Westbound Southern Pacific 8974 exiting Tunnel 7 with tonnage bound for northern California. The locomotives' dynamic brakes are about to be subjected to the longest continuous railroad downgrade in the United States, a drop of 6,000 feet in elevation.

Here's another photo taken of the same spot over forty years ago. These are Electro-Motive F-units in the famous "Black Widow" paint scheme. This type of locomotive is generally credited for (accused of?) the demise of steam power on the Southern Pacific.

The famous "Chinese Wall," built by hand, carries the right of way between Tunnel 7 and Tunnel 8.

Another view of the Chinese Wall, with Tunnel 7 to the west.