Exploring what is possibly the world's first railway tunnel?

Hi all,

I've made a YouTube video documenting the Hog Hill Tunnel in Stanhope, England, which some consider to be the world's first railway tunnel.

Please take a look and leave a comment if you wish. More of these to come


Regards,

Steve

 

Very interesting, thanks.

But I believe both Crown St and Wapping tunnels at the Liverpool end of the L&M were opened in 1830.
Wapping was only ever for goods, but Crown St was the original passenger terminus, an extra tunnel was dug later when Crown St had become goods only.

 

Yes, please do some more. I have worked out where this one is but won't say here.

 

Hello Steve,

A very enjoyable video of the Crawley Incline tunnel of the Stanhope & Tyne Railway, probably safe to mention it's whereabouts on this forum as opposed to Youtube, as the members here - usually - have a deep desire to ensure the survival and access to such places. Besides, there are lots of disused mine adits in the area worth exploring too.

The S & T was an absolutely fascinating railway as is the whole area between Consett and Stanhope. Thankfully, the track bed of this railway mostly survives and is easily traced, always worthwhile exploring in this beautiful part of the country. As you say, it is a very early railway tunnel, but not the oldest, that would be Fritchley Tunnel near Ambergate, built in 1793. You have certainly prompted me Steve, I must return to explore more of Weardale and it's industrial and railway heritage again soon.

Cheers,

Alan

 

The Wapping Tunnel was completed in 1829 and the L&MR Directors allowed visitor walk-throughs one day per week, this following the Rainhill Trials when public interest in the Railway suddenly ballooned. The Opening Day train, 15th September 1830, following the catastrophe to William Huskison at Parkside, actually terminated at Wapping, not Crown Street. The latter station wasn't complete, and for a few months service trains started and terminated at Edge Hill where the tunnels opened out into Wapping Cutting.

Also on, or under, the Liverpool & Manchester Railway is Bourne's Tunnel, which was built under the L&MR during its construction for the pre-existing tramway which connected the collieries at Lea Green to a land sale yard on the turnpike, now the A57, a bit southeast of where the famous Skew Bridge would take the turnpike over the L&MR line. The tunnel was in place in 1829 as the Rainhill Trials course passed over the top of it. Bourne's Tunnel is also still extant, and the south portal visible.