It amazes me that very few people know about the old express way between Mount Rainier and Mount Shasta. All the volcanic activity up and down the coast caused a lava tube to be created that stretched across three states from Washington to California. The change in atmospheric pressure forced a powerful wind to flow South at over 70 miles her hour. A vehicle properly constructed for the voyage through the tube could achieve a speed of up to 200 mph, allowing a trip from Washington to California in a matter of hours.
The last time it was used was during World War II when it was used to ship lumber and other supplies to California to be used in the San Diego shipyards. It was a vital part in helping the United States stop the Pacific Island aggression.
The atomic tests after the war unfortunately collapsed part of the tunnel. Plans were underway to clear out the rubble when suddenly the tunnel was flooded.
In the first photo you can still see where the train rails were lain. The second image shows where the opening of the tunnel flows beneath the Cowlitz river. The third photo shows the another tube leading to this one, it was used by workers to access the main shaft.
