RAILWAYS COLLECTION 2 x -Colour Photos of Elphinstone Tunnel (this photo was used by Jim Evans in his booklet -Melbourne to Bendigo Railway 1862-2012 and quotes the Photographer as Geoffrey Russell). The photo is printed on quality paper showing an entrance to the tunnel which is in fair condition with bricks and stone on the face and has two train tracks running through.Geoffrey Russellphotograph, landscape, elphinstone tunnel long rail laid bendigo, wednesday.—one of the most unusual operations undertaken by the victorian railways took place on the bendigo-melbourne line at the elphinstone tunnel this afternoon, when two rails, each 1, 710ft. in length, were placed in posi- tion in the tunnel. these rails were the longest ever laid in victoria, the previous greatest length being 225ft. the tunnel, which is 1, 254ft. in length, is the longest in the state, and forms an historic link with the early railways of victoria, being constructed in 1862, three years after the first train ran in australia. the object of the work is to improve the track for the fast train services and to reduce the cost of maintenance. by putting in a welded rail right through the tunnel the use of "fish plates" will be eliminated. for the new undertaking 110lb. rails are being used to replace the 80lb. rails at present in use. the rails, each weighing 30 tons, were made from 38 sets of rails of 45ft. each, the welding taking place on the site of the work. hauled by an x35 locomotive the long rail was placed in position 3½ minutes after the first pull. the work was carried out without any in- terruption to traffic.