Alte Eisenbahn, Unfinished railway tunnel in Eggegebirge, Germany
The Alte Eisenbahn is an abandoned railway tunnel project in the Eggegebirge mountains between Lichtenau and Willebadessen featuring visible tunnel openings and water-filled excavations. The site displays multiple access shafts sunk into bedrock and deep cuts carved through the hillside during construction attempts.
Construction started in 1847 when the Cologne-Minden-Thuringian Railway Company began driving a 600-meter tunnel through the mountain. The work stopped early when funding dried up, leaving only one-third of the planned tunnel completed.
The site's name reflects the railway project that shaped local identity in the 1800s. Visitors walking through the area can see how this ambitious undertaking left its mark on the landscape and regional memory.
You can explore the site using marked hiking trails that start from the Alte Eisenbahn parking area, including the scenic Eggeweg path. Wear sturdy shoes since the ground is uneven and water-filled excavations create wet conditions in many places.
In 2016 and 2017, archaeologists conducted underwater excavations and discovered remains of a guard post along with several submerged shafts. This unusual research provided insights into 19th-century tunnel construction methods and the lives of workers on the project.
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