tunnel. In 1950, multiple aspect signalling was installed. In 1954, diesel locomotives became standard. Pusher units cut into westbound freight trains at Beavermouth, before disconnecting at Stoney Creek. On occasions, when pushers worked through to Glacier, crew were required to wear respirators, owing to the tunnel fumes. The tunnel blocked radio communication. The 1974 realignment west of Beavermouth, moved the connection point to Rogers. After the 1988 opening of the Mount Macdonald Tunnel, westbound traffic primarily used that lower gradient route, with Connaught handling eastbound. During the pusher station's existence, six engineers, six maintenance workers and nine locomotives were based at Rogers. Five-engine units were used on heavy trains carrying grain, coal and potash. Four-engine units were used on other freights. Notability When opened, the tunnel ranked eighth in length: Simplon Tunnel (1906) Gotthard Tunnel (1882) Lötschberg Tunnel (1913) Fréjus Rail Tunnel (Mont Cenis) (1871) , extended (1881) Arlberg Railway Tunnel (1884) Ricken Tunnel (1910) Tauern Railway Tunnel (1909) Connaught Tunnel (1916) However, it took the title from the Hoosac Tunnel (1875) as the longest railway tunnel in North America, until replaced by the Moffat Tunnel (1928) . Officially opened in July 1916 by the Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, the governor general, the Selkirk Tunnel was renamed the Connaught Tunnel weeks later. In 2001, the tunnel was inducted into the North America Railway Hall of Fame. When part way through the project, rock drillers J. A. McIlwee and Sons encountered an unexpected predominance of crumbly slate, FW&S dismissed the subcontractor, rather than negotiate a contract variance. After several appeals, including a hearing of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, the courts awarded McIlwee about $576,000 for breach of contract. At the time, this was the largest single judgement obtained in a BC court. W.J. Hackman (1928–1953) was the first child born in the tunnel. The birth occurred on the westbound CP No. 2. Passenger train. The next birth appears to have occurred in 1939. See also The Kicking Horse Pass Spiral Tunnels (which in 1909 eliminated the dangerous Big Hill), Field Hill, Rogers Pass and the Mount Macdonald Tunnel and its associated grade reductions are other significant features in the mountain history of the CPR. Footnotes References Canadian Pacific Railway tunnels Railway tunnels in British Columbia Tunnels completed in 1916 Glacier National Park (Canada) 1916 establishments in British Columbia