The Collapse of Richmond's Church Hill Tunnel

by Walter S. Griggs Jr.

Details the collapse of a railway tunnel, built in 1873 and being renovated in 1925, that killed many construction workers, who were entombed along with a locomotive.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Michelle Keene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up in Richmond, Va im shocked to have not heard this story. Cant wait to visit family and check this site out. Very interesting book, with pictures of tunnel at various stages. I learned alot about my hometown from this book. I even went to Mosby middle school in Churchill ... Which has had its name changed and i dont understand why. The School was named from a victim to this horrific tragedy, and i believe should've remained a memorial to him. Great read of history here. I'll never see or hear a train again without thinking of this story

[julianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved learning about Richmond history and lore, was interesting to connect info in the book to locations that still stand and I see daily.

[Kcatty · Rating 2 out of 5]

My aunt got this for my uncle, and three different people stole it over Thanksgiving. I had custody for most of the time, though.

They used hard-soil tunneling techniques in a soft-soil hill? There were soft-soil techniques already existed, and the fact that they're different from the hard-soil ones should've told the engineers enough!
(I'm planning on studying civil engineering, by the way. You can see why this was so sacrilegious of them.)

The story was interesting, though the book felt like one of those things sold in the kind of gift shop you would find anywhere in the United States, because it deals with overblown local events and takes way too much glory in the Revolutionary/Civil War.
The writing felt like the standard corrections for incorrect sentences that you use in middle/lower high school; the sentences were short, to the point; and the style was melodramatic at some points.

Didn't only max six people die? Yes, death is a tragedy, but this book takes it too dramatically. Of course, this is coming from someone who was only a couple miles away from the Pentagon on 9/11, and who is neck-deep in Hardcore History podcasts.

My uncle's business office is right on top of the tunnel, which is still at a risk of collapse. Now I know why my aunt got this for him...

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Must read for those interested in Richmond, Richmond history or railroad history. Well researched and well written, this book presents facts and corrects mistakes about this tragedy.
A small book, quick read that is packed with information.
My one disappointment with the book was in the section of supernatural rumors that have grown up about the tunnel. Mr. Griggs relates the story of a person who claimed to have seen a vampire exit the Church Hill Tunnel and to have chased this creature to a mausoleum in Hollywood Cemetery. The fanastic imagination and tall-tale skills of the original teller are obvious to Richmonders but should have been better explained to readers not familiar with distance and terrain involved.

[Norma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This enlightening book gives a recount of one of Richmond's tragic cave-ins of the Church Street Tunnel which was excavated in 1873 and had been used by the C and O Railway as passage under the streets of Richmond. In 1925, 190 feet of the tunnel collapses entombing the locomotive and bodies of the engineer and laborers. Despite heroic rescue endeavors, the engine remains within the tunnel to this day. This book was featured by our local librarian as a favorite. I never knew about this event and found this short paperback book very interesting. Improved graphics and maps of the city would be helpful.

[J.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never heard about the train left in a tunnel under Richmond until just a few years ago. There are so many stories and rumors swirling around about the event ~ many of them paranormal ~ that it was good to get the definitive word from an historian who has dedicated his life to the tragedy.

Parts of the book were overwritten, but I realize that was an attempt to put a human face on events that happened so long ago (in 1925 to be exact). But the facts are well-laid out and the writing is enjoyable.

[Christopher Lucas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to believe that there was a tunnel collapse under Richmond's Church Hill that entombed a train and several workers! Although much can be found online regarding the tragedy and the current state of the tunnel, Mr Grigg's book does a great job of telling the story with some illustrative historical photos.

[Keith · Rating 2 out of 5]

very simple book. read like an undergrad paper, but strangely a page turner. if you're from Richmond, a good read.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick short read about a piece on Richmond history - but it made me want to head to Richmond to check out the terrain and the tunnel.

[Vickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book.

[Herold Spangler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book about Richmond from Griggs. Really enjoy his books.

[Grayson Mcclellan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting event, kind of presented in a boring fashion. Cool to know about what life may have been like in the mid 20's here in Richmond, makes me want to get out in the surrounding area more.

[Grayson Mcclellan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting event, kind of presented in a boring fashion. Cool to know about what life may have been like in the mid 20's here in Richmond, makes me want to get out in the surrounding area more.