Sepia Scenes: The Haunting of Flinderation Station

Flinderation Station is supposed to be a haunted railroad tunnel near Salem, West Virginia. The story goes that three men working in the tunnel didn't realize a train was coming or at least as fast as it was coming. One man could not get into the side cubbyholes fast enough and the train derailed. The Travel Channel has evidently filmed a spot here at some time. After visiting the tunnel and doing some research there is the story but not the facts to back it up. No news articles about the derailment, no names of the deceased. There are a few YouTube videos of supposed paranormal activity. I wasn't impressed with any I viewed. I took three of the above views in sequence from the same spot. I do that to make sure I get a clear shot and one that's in best focus. When I downloaded them I noticed what some would describe as an orb in the middle photo. If you enlarge this maybe you'll see it. It's to the left of the top of the opening in the back.

This is about only about twenty feet inside the one thousand feet tunnel. As you can see there was water. A couple of places I could tell the water would be halfway up my leg if I stepped in it. Without boots and a flashlight this was as far as I ventured.

Like any good viewer of Ghost Hunters I did my duty and announced that I was friendly and asked are you here. There was no reply. :)

Years of mineral laden water running down the walls have left them discolored from the once red brick.

I love the different layers eroded away on this section of wall.

Upon leaving I was sitting on a nearby picnic table. The tunnel is part of the West Virginia Rail Trail across abandoned railroad tracks and a pretty spot to take a break. Again I took three images of the same spot. When I downloaded them the third one had those two bright spots of light. I didn't use a flash. The white you see hanging from the ceiling is actually part of the ceiling that is falling. What were the lights? I couldn't say; but. I'm thinking Jason and Grant from Ghost Hunters could probably explain it all away.

I'd like to go back with a pair of boots and a flashlight and walk the entire distance to the other side. Oh, did I mention that there is a cemetery on top of the tunnel? I WILL only be going in daylight.

Posted for Sepia Scenes.

Sepia Scenes: Are You Thinking Spaceship?

Every time I see this structure I think I'm going into the bowels of a spaceship! I imagine being drawn in slowly to the darkness and the doors closing behind me. In moments the silent takeoff is barely noticeable as I'm being whisked away to another galaxy. Somewhere in the darkness Richard Dreyfuss will be waiting to accompany me on this interplanetary travel. Ahh, such are the daydreams of a Sci-fi fan.....

I'm brought back to reality as my cat weaves in and out of my feet purring gently to let me know she needs to be fed.

In reality this massive structure is the entrance to the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel. It is a 4.6 mile-long crossing for Interstate 664 in the southeastern portion of Virginia in the United States. It is a four-lane bridge-tunnel composed of bridges, trestles, man-made islands and tunnels under a portion of the Hampton Roads harbor where the James, Nansemond, and Elizabeth Rivers come together.
The tunnel is named for the two ironclad warships which engaged in the famous Battle of Hampton Roads on March 8–9, 1862, during the US Civil War. The battle took place between the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia. The latter ship had been rebuilt from the wreck of the USS Merrimack. The site of the battle was within 1 mile (1.6 km) of the bridge-tunnel structure named by the Commonwealth of Virginia as a memorial.

Hubs and I lived just down the road from the tunnel when we lived in Virginia. We still go through it when we visit our daughter.

For more Sepia Scenes visit Mary here.

Looking For The Light

Wheeling Tunnel

Wheeling, West Virginia

November 2008

Have you ever had one of those days when you just feel drained? I know you have. We have all at one time or another wanted, needed, or had to kick back just a little. Today is that kick back day for me in blogging land. So many memes, so little time!

Here at home the laundry needs caught up, the vacuuming needs done, there's leaves to rake, and groceries to buy. And Christmas is only about 48 days away. Yeah, I know you didn't need to hear that. But, shopping needs done.

So if you came looking for my Friday without fail Sky Watch, well, it isn't here. Oh I tried going through my archives and pulling something out but it wasn't happening. Tried finding something else of interest for you to look at and say to yourself -'where does she get this stuff.' Still wasn't happening. So my dear readers what I have for you today is just good wishes for a great Friday to start a wonderful weekend.

I promise there is light at the end of this tunnel and tomorrow's post will be much much better.

Just you wait and see!