While going through some old photos I came across one of an old abandoned train tunnel in Bavaria that had been partially demolished while another portion left as a piece of history embedded into the hillside, vegetation taking over the stone. There are many things around the world…abandoned tunnels, cellars, bunkers, etc. and what might become of their future? Do they become a forgotten element in time or can they be used again, transferring a piece of history into a new future?

The most recent post over at BLDG BLOG reminded me of the re-purposed single track railway tunnel in the New South Wales Southern Highlands between Mittagong and Bowral, Australia.

Built in 1866, the railway was used as the link between Sydney and Canberra until a new double track tunnel was built in 1919. Unused for three decades, the tunnel opened once again in the 1950′s for a new purpose – to grow mushrooms.

The mushrooms have thrived in the damp and poorly lit environment of the railway underworld. Now, the Li-Sun Mushroom Tunnel leads the way in exotic mushroom development in Australia.

images via jolly_jarvis

I would love the ability to tour these tunnels but since I can’t, it’ll be really interesting to what Geoff Manaugh has to say about them if he gets the opportunity to visit them while on Cockatoo Island for the Urban Islands design studio.