We’re now 47.6 miles from Elkhorn City, between St. Paul and Carfax VA in Russell County at 36.890949, -82.354993. The first picture is the horseshoe-shaped EC side portal of Shannon tunnel, 820′ in length, cutting through a ridge in an oxbow of the Clinch River. The horseshoe cross-section is deliberate, required, research tells me, by ground conditions in the area. This tunnel is not dated, but there is an impolite reference to CSX spraypainted on the lintel. The next picture is of the south (actually west) portal of the tunnel taken from the 300′ or so trestle that takes the CSX over the Clinch River on to Townes tunnel.
Blogging the Railroad Tunnels 
I hiked over there in 92 before I left for the Army. My dad was born in a cabin back from the number2 clinch river bridge. Wondered if you may have seen remains in your travels. Thanks James
When I was taking pix of the tunnels, I was pretty focused. I don’t recall seeing any remains of a cabin.