East Norton Disused Railway Tunnel of Leicestershire

[@philliphammond399]

Hi Ant, lovely workmanship from the past. The tractor is a TE20 4 cylinder diesel. I first drove one in 1962, never did like starting. Ferguson later fitted a 3 cylinder which was far better. The mechanical scythe near the end was banned a long time ago, considered to be dangerous. Thank you.

[@lindamccaughey6669]

Fabulous explore. Loved the pic of the loco. Those tunnels are extraordinary, really great. Now that tractor should be cleaned up and put on display. Loved this video thanks Ant. Please take care

[@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling]

It's fantastic to think how long that tractor remained in place. Beautiful tunnel, excellent photos as usual. But your photography skills are second to none Ant. Thanks for sharing.

[@NickB_Yorkshire]

Great video Ant. The tunnel is in great condition, clearly due to the robustness of the blue brick. Such a shame that the station and platforms are gone. The tractor reg number will be EJE519. Checked the details and it’s a Fordson registered 5th July 1955. Road tax due 1st April 1987. Last V5C issued 5th April 1984.

[@jamesgilbart2672]

I just love the expression "tunnelly goodness" you used to describe these structures! Shame that all that effort and engineering is going to waste.

[@mikeclifton7778]

I think the tractor is a Ferguson TEF 20, diesel built between 1951 and 1956 though it could be a petrol or TVO version. The roll over bar was added late 60s or early 70s to conform to safety requirements. Great vid Ant.

[@Peter-MH]

Impressive! I knew there’s be tractor geeks on this channel! 😉

[@bobingram6912]

Didn't expect to see a little grey Fergie, nice!! Wot, not good enough for the grafitti despoilers, nice!!! That's one heck of a tunnel, what it lacks in length it sure makes up for in grandeur, almost cathedral like👍👍👍👍

[@shirleylynch7529]

Fabulous video. Tunnel really impressive.Great findings with tractor. Loved the music. Well done Ant. Brilliant. Thank you.

[@Marc_von_Hoffrichter]

Love a bit of blue brick! Great find. Thanks Ant. Cheers

[@whitespider8523]

The tractor is a Grey Ferguson, most probably late 1940's, designed by Harry Ferguson. Thousands of these were built after the war and there are still many around now.

[@fhwolthuis]

Amazing tunnel, beautiful stonework and that tractor 😍😀👌🏼

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much for watching Frank

[@Design2winLew]

Enjoyable little explore . It's amazing how this old infrastructure is just left to be explored if it can't be used .

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much for watching. It's a pleasant little visit this one

[@andrewparker9704]

Thanks

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind Andrew thank you

[@benGBRf]

😂 Quite random to find a tractor and trailer in an old railway tunnel but only adds to mystery of these tunnels you explore Ant. Great video mate and cool music again as well 👍🏻 👌🏻

[@lilchris26]

Nice video Ant Thanks again for your work and information. Chris H.

[@seamusmcevoy2011]

A very nice video indeed, and you have explained why you have more hair!!! I'm planning to do that tunnel this winter, along with Ingarsby Tunnel. There's a nice walk leading from the south of East Norton Tunnel towards its portal that takes in some lovely track bed and bridges.

[@ceanothus_bluemoon]

What a beautiful oval tunnel and an intriguing tractor. I wonder why it was moved after so long being in there? Hope this tunnel can be opened and be used for something at some point, it's a real beauty.

[@hoof2001]

interesting is that the tyres on the tractor and (I think) the trailer are still inflated. Long term abandonment usually sees the tyres all flat on any vehicles

[@dilwyn1]

Great explore, and some lovely stills. The little grey Fergie tractor was a blast from the past ... I learned to drive on one of those back in the sixties

[@TrekkingExploration]

Blimey so that gives us a little Idea how old that is

[@dilwyn1]

@@TrekkingExploration It looks like a Pre PTO model so possibly 1950 ?

[@TrekkingExploration]

@@dilwyn1 unbelievable really isn't it

[@dilwyn1]

@@TrekkingExploration Sure is !! So much history lying around just waiting to be documented and it's memory saved forever. Where will that little tractor be in ten years, I wonder??

[@g8ymw]

@@TrekkingExploration The Ferguson TE20 was replaced with the 35 in the late 50s I think. Like Dilwyn, I learned on a Fergie

[@julianlane8313]

Im not a tractor exert, but these were popular in my village in the cotswolds as I was growing up in the 60s. In the Cotswolds. It looks like a Massey Fergusson Dexter. Great informative video as always, tunnel in amazingly good condition considering its age.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much for watching and for the tractor information 😀

[@davidsummerfield2594]

I believe this line was used for freight until 1965 mostly coal from Colwick yards, closed that year..

[@daystatesniper01]

The curves of this tunnel remind me of Brierly tunnel , the eastern portal ,so elegant now gone

[@TrekkingExploration]

That's one I've never done

[@fishandchipdiaries]

Interesting video 👍

[@martinmarsola6477]

Thank you for the tunnel tour. Always look forward to them. Enjoy your weekend, and see you on the next. Cheers Ant! ❤️🇬🇧🙂👍🇺🇸

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks Martin I hope you are well

[@martinmarsola6477]

@@TrekkingExploration Progressing little by little. Thank you for your concern!

[@TrekkingExploration]

@@martinmarsola6477 good 😊

[@railwaychristina3192]

Lovely, thank you. Are you going to visit the John O'Gaunt viaduct?

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thank you. I've put that one up 3 years ago now. Ironically I did this one the same day hence I have more hair 😂

[@railwaychristina3192]

@@TrekkingExploration 😆😆

[@Peter-MH]

Waiting for the tractor experts to turn up! Agree with Ant, that’s got to be 50’s? Maybe 60’s?! Amazing!

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks Peter. I hope the engine and manufacturer info gives a good clue

[@rogerlill]

The house on the other side of the bridge to station drive says 'Station House' above the front door.

[@brianwillson9567]

Lovely video. Pity the viaduct has gone.

[@stephan5673]

Have you checked out Glenfield railway tunnel in Leicester. Lots of history to it, its one of the oldest railways in uk.

[@simonballard6413]

I have visited twice, but have never got to either portal. How do you get there? Lovely tunnel.

[@Jimyjames73]

Hiya Ant @ 4:33 Yes I do know what it is - it is called a "Tractor"!!! lol 😄I always think it is sad that all that time, money & effort went to build the 1000's miles of Lovely Railways across Britain - Just for 100's & 100's of miles of track were taken away!!! 😐🚂🚂🚂

[@angelaknisely-marpole7679]

Nice one!

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks Angela 😁

[@streetscrambler8075]

The line was used for freight traffic until 1964, regular passenger services were withdrawn in 1953.

[@Beastgrows]

Massey Ferguson. Was burnt out by kids in the mid 80s. We grew up in Uppingham and used to play down there as kids.

[@edwinfitchett6033]

As a child i can remember you used to be able to see the cutting from the A47 going off into the distance but the farmer filled it all in to "reclaim" the fields possibly late 70's but deinitely by the mid 80's IIRC as far as I know the platforms are still under there.

[@leesmith9931]

Close near there is a viaduct.... do you know it? Bit closer to Oakham off the A47

[@TrekkingExploration]

John o Gaunt? Or another?

[@leesmith9931]

@@TrekkingExploration Welland viaduct..... an amazing sight..

[@TrekkingExploration]

@@leesmith9931 ohhh yes I went over that a few Sundays ago

[@RedcastleGAV78]

That’s a Ferguson TE20. Gets the nickname Standard

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much 😊

[@richardperry5538]

Telegraph Insulators not caps, you should have picked the one up off the floor to see what the railway company stamp was on it.

[@heale1]

Just north of the station site stood East Norton viaduct until the local council blew it up disgracefully for no reason in 2001.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Yes unfortunately they did 😞 Very little evidence that ever existed

[@Ozbert]

@@TrekkingExploration Probably destroyed it so that there was no chance of it ever being petitioned for re-opening (politics eh?). I remember seeing the viaduct as I drove along the A47 and then it was gone! Even though I thought I knew where it used to be, it looks like there was nothing there but farmland.

[@jetsons101]

If only the workers that built the tunnel portal could see it today, there craftsmanship is so much better that the boring concrete tunnels and culverts of today. The stories that tractor could tell, maybe back to WWII?????

[@midlands4x4community32]

Done this tunnel 2 weeks ago and the tractor was out side of the tunnel

[@TrekkingExploration]

You have to wonder if it was pushed out 🤔

[@midlands4x4community32]

@@TrekkingExplorationmust have been it’s out the other end now in the woods

[@gordonwebster3809]

that fergy tractor is worth a few bob.

[@andrewdavis9223]

About 1959

[@janettetaylor8760]

Definitely turn these tunnels into cycling lane jogging lane walking lanes..

[@patricklavin7576]

I can't read and i can't write but i can drive a tractor 😜

[@TrekkingExploration]

😂😂😂😂😂