Discovering the Hidden History of Ravenscar - The town that was never built!

Ravenscar, the town that never was & the abandoned railway tunnel with forgotten secrets.
The County Record Office holds the archives of the Ravenscar Estate, which charts the failed attempt to establish a resort at Ravenscar. Though elaborate plans were drawn up and streets laid out, only a handful of properties were actually built. Ravenscar is a tiny cliff top village between Scarborough & Whitby in north eastern England.
It has beautiful views along the North Yorkshire coast. This location rivals any coastal and moorland area in the United Kingdom in its scenery and diversity.
It retains an unmolested beauty and tranquillity.
In 1896, in a settlement known as Peak, where grounds were being dug up to lay drains and sewers, whilst roads were being built in preparation for the newest Victorian resort to rival Blackpool. A new seaside destination for those who laboured in the factories and mills of the West Riding of Yorkshire and beyond. Plots of Freehold building land were auctioned off by Lord W H Hammond.
The Railway Tunnel was cut so W.H. Hammond, the lord of Raven Hall,
didn’t have to see the railway actually crossing his land.
The Tunnel is only 279 yards long but has a sharp curve and with the gradient up to Ravenscar being 1-in-39 it proved troublesome for many trains.
The Railway opened in 1885 and closed in 1965.
Check out my sons channel at ‪@ThomassGamingAdventures‬
Credit Music by; thewilburproje...
ALW Exploration Social MediaLinks !
Instagram: / alw_exploration
Facebook: / alwexploration
Pintrest: www.pinterest....
Twitter: / alwexploration
Flickr: ALW Exploration Flickr
My website: alwexploration...
Thank You for Watching :)
#ALWexploration #ALWexplorer

[@miagre22]

The trackbed was a redish cinder (when fresh) from a power station near York. The concrete square things were to mark the alignment and grade of the track. There used to be a lead insert in the hole with dimensions etc. The farmers and locals on Browside used the route up to Ravenscar from Fyling Hall as a road, especially during winter after the track was lifted. The farmer at Browside farm (Tom Morley) ran a set of heavy disc harrows up and down to level out the indentations where the sleepers were lifted. In my courting days I drove my girlfriends car through the tunnel to get groceries for the farmer at Ladysmith Farm from Ravenscar.

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Hello George, interesting information indeed! Thank you very much indeed for commenting with this information

[@dennisolof9994]

@George Baxter thanks for that information. Nice. This tunnel seems in good condition, perhaps it could be re-opened and used by walkers, cyclist, foot path etc. why not. A way of keeping the "real" history alive instead of just reading about it in a text book.

[@TechTier_]

Another really interesting video, through the tunnel I kept thinking of that old story The Signalman. I really love how you encourage interactivity with the viewer asking about certain objects and what people think they may have been or what info they might have. Awesome video 👍🤙🏼

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Hello Tech Tier, we enjoyed our time in Ravenscar such an interesting place with so much history. I would like to stay at the Ravenscar hotel one day. Thanks so much for watching and commenting:)

[@oswaldkirknorthyorkshire-u7407]

One of my first visits to RHB as a child was on this railway (Filey to Scarborough to RHB). Then growing up in RHB the 'cinder track' was our playground, along with the Alum Works. My friends and I rode our first motorbikes and Honda 50s along the line and through the tunnel, which was unrestricted then. Coincidentally walked Sandsend to Kettleness yesterday, passing the entrance to the tunnel and walking directly above it on that section of the Cleveland Way.

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Hello There, its great that you lovely memories of a fantastic location. Thank Yuo for watching and for commenting, I really appreciate it.

[@terryengland1880]

I think they are called monuments, they were set in the middle of the track, platelayer would take measurements to see if the track had been creeping. This would be important when the train was going round a curve, the force would push the track out of alignment

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Hello Terry, thank you so much for the information. I have a two part railway series coming soon. stay tuned!

[@Carolb66]

Hi Andy & team, what an interesting video, ive seen signs for Ravenscar when driving out of Whitby but never been here, i imagine it would have beenba hike down to the beach unless a lift would have been installed. Really enjoyed your walk through the fab train tunnel. ❤😊

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Glad you enjoyed it Carol, we may go back one day

[@Carolb66]

@@ALWResearchTeam 🥰👍

[@DaveH-zl3vd]

11.30 The wire you spotted was the armouring from steel wire armoured cable. Cable thieves burn the insulation off and sell the copper which formed the electrical conductors. Great video by the way, well done.

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Hello, thank you for watching. That’s great information on the wires in the refuse.

[@stephenrothwell8142]

I believe those blocks were for elevating cables along side the track. I lived next to a track and remember something similar. The guy is spot-on about those grooves in the ground.

[@EllieMaes-Grandad]

Terry [below] has it right; they were in the track ballast as alignment markers.

[@Urbanlad-Yorkshire]

As you have gathered it’s alw day lol awesome video buddy well done love old tunnels 👍👊

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Ow nice one Urban Lad Yorkshire. Thanks very much indeed

[@746laurie]

That "Commer" van next to the old station house is a BMC (Austin or Morris). Flatbed and dropside versions had a cab known as a "threepenny bit" cab because the doors were at an angle and slightly behind the seats so that when open they did not extend beyond the overall width of the vehicle.

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Hello there. That’s great information thank You 🙏

[@746laurie]

@@ALWResearchTeam I visited that area in 2004 during a North Yorkshire and County Durham holiday in my home converted Talbot Express campervan. Explored the alum works and rode along part of the old railway trackbed on my bike.

[@ALWResearchTeam]

It sure is a great place to visit. I would have liked to see the railway up and running still.

[@tryfree1]

Live in New Zealand and I remember them here in the 60s. Great info BTW

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Thanks for watching and commenting:)

[@tryfree1]

If they are marked by numbers likely to be mileposts and a monument for track geometry to ensure that the track was maintained to the surveyed position. Great video.

[@ALWResearchTeam]

That’s an excellent description of the blocks. They did seem equally spaced so that would make perfect sense. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@tryfree1]

Thanks for posting. Its great to see history recorded this way. If not for these posts some of us would never have the chance to see these wonderful feats of engineering in days when there was little in the way of machinery and workplace safety. I watched some footage of the sixties - the last train on the line. Very sad ... progress they say. Cheers keep up the good work

[@EllieMaes-Grandad]

The Ravenscar Hall Hotel is a splendid place.

[@ALWResearchTeam]

I can well imagine. I would like to stay there one day.

[@RichieWellock]

Loved the vid ,Good old Beaching keeping us explorers in work for decades. Good example of cut and fill tunnel, I did vid at Haddon of one of them.

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Yeah he sure did

[@burningsandsexploration3711]

Very interesting video. I really enjoy seeing the old train tunnels. Brilliant!

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Hello there! Thank You very much indeed 😎😎

[@judithsmith9274]

Just come across your channel from Martin Zero. Brilliant vlog. Looking forward to watching more. 🙂

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Hello Judith. Welcome aboard. I release two videos a week on a Tuesday and Thursday at 8pm. Thank You very much indeed

[@Wedgedoow]

Very interesting I was brought up in the area and knew the line well.

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Hello Pete. Thank You very much indeed. There are further videos to come from that area in the near future on Tuesday and Thursday at 8pm

[@LadyLucie]

Wow if you had asked me earlier what a cut and fill tunnel was I wouldn’t have known! Hi Dave 👋🏼

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Ha ha. Thanks. I believe the white wicks will have a video of this tunnel coming soon too. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@CycolacFan]

It’s also the method used to build the portions of the London Underground that are actually underground.

[@EllieMaes-Grandad]

@@CycolacFan Usually referred to as 'cut and cover' method of construction.

[@CycolacFan]

@@EllieMaes-Grandad are you agreeing am I correct or are you saying they are two different methods?

[@EllieMaes-Grandad]

@@CycolacFan Two names for the same thing. 'Cover' is the one usually used; I've never come across 'fill' before [and I've read a lot over a very long life].

[@Neil-W-k2p]

Nice explore dude thanks for sharing.

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Hey Thanks Welshlad52

[@paulamiller1527]

wow i enjoyed this

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Hello Paula Miller. Thank You very much

[@adzey156]

Good video again pal fully watched 👍

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Thank you so much Adzey156

[@adzey156]

@@ALWResearchTeam sound mate no probs 👍

[@tmntforever2684]

Love going into tunnels great video ALW 😊👍

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Thanks for watching TMNT I really appreciate it

[@kernow..exp.]

Another fantastic video mate and greetings from Cornwall

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Hello Kernow, thanks for watching. We will be down in Cornwall next year on a road trip so maybe we could meet up.

[@AAPHomestead]

Heck yeah bro this is Awsome 👊🏻💥

[@KingstonHomeMaintenance]

Those cut aways as you call them bud are called refuges and still called that today in the railway rule book, I'm sure that concrete thing you found would sit on its base and have a wheel on top to carry old semaphore mechanics so the rods would have support and run along the top, sure I've seen them at old semaphore operated signal boxes.

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Hello Mike. Great information. Thanks for watching. There’s plenty more content coming on Tuesday & Thursdays at 8pm :)

[@EllieMaes-Grandad]

First part correct. Terry [above] has it right; they were in the track ballast as alignment markers.

[@WeeMansWorld]

great work bud, hope your keeping well

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Hey Wee Man. Yeah I’m great thank you. Thanks for watching 😎😎

[@ExploringWithin]

Very interesting one!

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Thank You 😎😎

[@Chris-qw3zt]

Just subscribed, came across your channel through matt's (secret vault) live stream the other day

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Hello Chris, plenty of great content coming Tuesday &Thursday 8pm’s. Cheers

[@kengraham4209]

The bricks were probably made at Ravenscar. If you go south to Robin Hoods Bay from Ravenscar there are remains of a brick works that was built in preparation for the planned town that was never built .

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Hello there Ken Graham, that’s interesting information. When we are planning to be back in the area I will research the brick works and maybe go film it. Thank you so much for watching and commenting:)

[@EllieMaes-Grandad]

@@ALWResearchTeam Look for the alum works as well. I have an intact 'Ravenscar' brick; there must be many more there . . . kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXapYn-Yq7GGmcU [re the alum works]

[@simongleaden2864]

Isn't Ravenscar south of Robin Hood's Bay?

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Depends which way you set off ;)

[@parttimespotter2027]

What a waste, should have been retained despite Ernest Marples Axe. Imagine now a Heritage railway running Scarborough to Whitby.

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Hello, it would have been a very scenic route it it had survived. The cost would have been enormous, the viaducts were rotten from the sea air back in the late 1950’s. The Sandsend tunnel would require reworking. It would have been nice to see it still operational.

[@EllieMaes-Grandad]

@@ALWResearchTeam Those rotten viaducts were to the north of Whitby, 'twixt West Cliff and Sandsend. There exists a superb model railway of that section of line.

[@michaelpowell3980]

Is that a cover of James Acaster's 'Over my Shoulder' from Taskmaster on the credits? :)

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Hello there, its by a band called The Wilbur Project. I’m unsure if it is original by them of a cover. They do cover songs sometimes. Thanks for watching

[@39jbentley]

Ravenscar station was a passing loop and had two platforms, but only one. survives

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Hello There. That’s great information, thank You very much indeed

[@cathwilliams2976]

Those scratches are obviously made from the ravens that live in the tunnel scratching the floor with thier claws hence the name Ravenscar tunnel. ☺️

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Obviously 🙄

[@georgesmith8113]

👍👍😎

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Thank You

[@AAPHomestead]

Holy smokes that tunnel is crazy cool

[@jimmerrills1]

Down the coal mines the cut outs were actually called man holes

[@AAPHomestead]

Yeah I would think that the Square stones were Distance markers

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Aah that makes sense.

[@EllieMaes-Grandad]

@@ALWResearchTeam Terry [above] has it right; they were in the track ballast as alignment markers.

[@DavidWhitley]

railway markers, usually a hole in the top

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Hello there Dave, we have seen a few of these now in different tunnels, thanks for the info :)

[@pacmandavedronesgaming]

Good video I just up the road from me

[@ALWResearchTeam]

No way! Thanks for Watching David :)

[@pacmandavedronesgaming]

@@ALWResearchTeam I am living in scarborough

[@G4RY1159]

Wonder what the tunnel would be like when it's raining heavy for a good while, it would show all it's leaks

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Indeed. That would be interesting to know. The Sandsend tunnel further north up the coast is in a much worse state and leaks a lot.

[@spoid54]

you mentioned there is another tunnel on this line that has partly collapsed.There was only one more tunnel on this line (falsgrave) which was filled in in 1993 ish is that what you meant? or were you meaning sandsend/kettleness tunnels?which are on the line from whitby to middlesborough.Liking the videos btw

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Hello, thanks for the feedback. I meant falsgrave tunnel which I plan to visit at sometime. Have you been?

[@spoid54]

@@ALWResearchTeam yes,its totally inaccessible sadly.Sainsburys Supermarket on the northern portal and the other end is totally bricked up.Not so much as a vent to look through sadly.I understand a point half way through the tunnel had to be filled in to make foundations for a block of flats that were built on top

[@oasthouse1]

Why was it not built?

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Hello there. Money and time was against the project from the beginning and this only hampered any efforts to get the building going. Thank you for watching and commenting

[@paulhaynes8045]

There's no beach (i.e. sand) just rocks and collapsed cliffs, and, even if people wanted to go down to the 'beach' it was a very difficult descent and climb back up. There just wasn't enough interest from potential buyers because of the location (high up and very windy) and lack of beach. After a few years the company promoting the scheme went bankrupt and that was that. It was supposed to be "the Blackpool of the East Coast", but I fear that was more dream than possibility. Wrong place, wrong time.

[@DavidWhitley]

concrete blocks are mile markers

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Hello there, ah right, thank you very much!

[@DavidWhitley]

@@ALWResearchTeam i worked on the railway 17 years i started at the end of British Rail days, those blocks would have had a metal tag sticking out of them with a number on them, to mark miles or as it was called chains. they came in all shapes and sizes

[@miagre22]

Edit - the marks you see on the trackbed may be remenents of the disc harrowing.