The Deep Cut
The Deep Cut
The immediate level, directly below the top, is a berm or shoulder excavated to prevent earth from falling into the cut and blocking the tracks and corresponds to the top of the rock strata. Beyond this berm, the Western and Atlantic Railroad bed lay far below. All rail traffic between Atlanta and Chattanooga had to travel through this cut in the mountain, making Altoona Pass the potential railroad choke point.
The photograph below, taken after 1900, shows the cut reforested. A water tower appears to the right of the tracks and power lines can be seen on the left going over the hill.
Georgia State Parks & Historical Sites
Plaque courtesy Lat34North.com.
Original page, with additional info, here.
Photo credit: Byron Hooks of Lat34North.com.