Engineering in Standedge Tunnel

In this evenings video we are looking at an engineering project in the Standedge canal and disused railway tunnels. The Standedge canal and railway tunnels go back as far as 229 years. The canal tunnel is the deepest, highest and longest canal tunnel in the world. The engineering work is to renew a communication system for the canal tunnel so that canal boats can be tracked through the tunnel. Pleasure tours and private canal boats go through the Standedge canal tunnels. Thank you to the Canal & River trust for inviting us along and looking at what the civil engineering contractor has done in the tunnels. The Standedge tunnel goes under the Pennine hills between lancashire and Yorkshire between the villages of Diggle and Marsden.

[@MartinZero]

Here is my original video on Standedge kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6nFpYuPdtF-nsUsi=Vb-8M2AzYIx6NuDO

[@lifelovesme1428]

wtf is this shemozzle???? seen children do better.

[@IamFreefromtheWokeLeft]

amateur

[@tremensdelirious]

If i can provide some local knowledge here, Martin. I was brought up in Saddleworth, & the water ingress is due to it pissing it down constantly for 51 weeks a year. The other week it snows. Thanks for the video

[@MartinZero]

Thank you, 😀

[@aniwilliams3370]

😂😂❤

[@pietweety7020]

Can you imagine going to work one morning back in the late 1700’s and your boss saying ’right lads we need to dig a 4km tunnel under the Pennines, grab a shovel!’

[@MartinZero]

It must have been horrendous

[@gbcb8853]

The CRT and AMCO couldn’t do better for public relations than to invite you for a video. Applause all round for a fantastic trip.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you 👍

[@macaidwin]

I bricked up a door in my shed once, that's my only experience with bricklaying. It's hard to imagine the hard work the tunnelbuilders were facing. All the bricks everywhere, in the main tunnels, shafts and all kinds of side tunnels. All that work in the dark. Thanks for showing us in this amazing video! 😍

[@paulfidler3710]

Brilliant video, as always. And a great shoutout to the Canals and Rivers Trust, who (obviously) do amazing work!

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Paul

[@Steve_Wardley_G6JEF]

What a fascinating tour Martin, and full marks to the Canal & River Trust and the guy's from Amco Giffen.

[@MartinZero]

Fascinating Day Steve. Cheers

[@keith800]

A phenomenal masterpiece of engineering not just for when it was built but also for what they are doing today to ensure the future of the tunnels , certainly something for the people of Manchester to be proud of as part of their heritage .

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Keith

[@colinlothlorian]

I took my boat through the year it was opened , the boats were covered by a thick rubber sheet and towed through by the electric tug. A fascinating and unforgettable experience.

[@petersimms4982]

Astonishing how the brickwork is so beautiful in such a dark unforgiving place 😮

[@philipcroft9857]

True credit to the men that built these magnificent structures, nearly 200yr old, and good for at least another 200yr. No health&safety back then or tunnelling machines, all done by sheer hard graft, can you imagine the conditions these lads worked in?? Absolute respect. Another brilliant video martin love yer videos, very very informative looking forward to many more mate, nicejob.

[@jetsons101]

Martin, I hate to keep repeating myself, but you have a amazing life. All the workers involved in the construction, from digging the clay, to making the bricks and dressing the stone, digging out the tunnels and then lining with the tunnels with all the bricks and stone. If the workers could only see their tunnels are still standing and in use. Hats off to all the workers. Thanks to Martin and team for their time, work and posting.....

[@MartinZero]

We were lucky to get back in Standedge and see this

[@stephencleaves]

Another cracking video Martin, it never fails to amaze me how well built these ancient tunnels were constructed all those years ago. Built with blood, sweat and tears ! Many thanks as always for your great video's and all your hard work in producing them, much appreciated.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much, yeah I love Standedge

[@user-ts7lu6xp4w]

A superb well crafted video by Martin of this mind boggling place. Hats off to the men below ground ,past and present. Martin never fails to entertain and educate. Should be on tv.

[@dieselmanmike]

Great video. When I worked on a rail possession in the early 20l00’s the cross passage was up steps and we walked over the canal to the main line in the double track tunnel. It was a wooden bridge over the canal and you could see down into it as you carried your tools to the rail tunnel. If we missed the van we had to walk in with a torch and some of the refuges in the service tunnels had wierd dolls laying around. We even found a ouigi board in there !

[@MartinZero]

Yeah the boards over the canal are still there 👍

[@kw1984]

Nice to see the Standedge tunnels again, great video 👍

[@MartinZero]

Yeah it was good to be back

[@chrish5319]

Amazing video, canals, trains and 200 years of engineering what more could anyone want. Thank you.

[@michaelbolt4530]

Wow, how cool getting invited to go in

[@WakoJacKooo]

Absolute mind blowing how much manual labour and bricks went into these tunnels our generation dont even know where born . Top work once again

[@MartinZero]

Thank you 👍

[@richardborrell443]

Another fascinating video. It is good to see fresh input to the channel from a growing network of "people in the know".

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Richard

[@johnwatts3645]

Morning Martin ,it’s good to see you officially recognised.I have watched this on my television to get the best effect but haven’t worked out how to post a comment so doing this on my tablet .Please keep making these informative videos ,you might get your own tv show one day 👌

[@robeastwood6495]

Got to say Martin you do a fabulous job with your videos. Ive been a fan for a few years now and its got to the point when i passed through Manchester on the train i was identifying locations from your videos. So thank you for what you do and i look forward to the next one.

[@MartinZero]

Brilliant, thanks Rob 👍

[@garybrignell1831]

Well done our Martin another informative and interesting video

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Gary

[@ChuckKirchner-se6ib]

Thanks for the update. Glad to see they're taking care of this treasure. Thumbs up for ALL involved in this venture. Cheers, Martin

[@MartinZero]

Thanks, yes its an amazing place

[@prillewitz]

Being an electrician myself this was a very interesting video. I started my career making an electrical pump panel for the Botlektunnel in the Europoort a long, long time ago. Times have changed and so has the technique. The Rottermerentunnel near Rotterdam is nearing completion, a big project.

[@debonweb]

What a palaver indeed ! Star Wars meets history. Thanks for sharing !

[@alanh4197]

great video, I had the pleasure of measuring the rail lines back in 2005. They had reinforced and sprayed concrete to the tunnel walls about 30 metres in lenght. Driving in and reversing out of the support tunnels was fun 😁

[@MartinZero]

Great place to work 😀

[@warrenjohnknight.9831]

This must be the only such system in the world Martin, I am blown away, 😊.

[@warrenjohnknight.9831]

WOOW Martin mate you have obviously hit the jackpot mate 👍

[@MartinZero]

Yeah it was nice to get back in Standedge

[@warrenjohnknight.9831]

Oh bugger James missed out on this magnificent trip mate, 😢,😊😊😊.

[@andyhill242]

This is Brilliant Martin, interesting from many angles. Thank You.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Andy

[@jeffjones6107]

Those tunnels are amazing engineering feats of skill, and also the shear hard work of the people who dug them. Thanks for sharing, Martin 👍

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Jeff

[@jayd1974]

Top one lads very interesting as always 👍Great engineering from back in the day👍

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Jay 👍

[@user-zq1kx3lv1l]

Hi Martin. Thank you for posting, what I found to be a very interesting video. I am 81, and used to be an industrial contracting & maintenance electrician, for the 50 years of my working life, and would have loved to be doing an interesting job like your guides were doing. At first I didn't understand why they needed a communication network so far under the ground, then the penny dropped, and I realised that it was for the safety reasons of the users of the tunnels. I have been a watcher of your content on & off for some while now, but have only subscribed to the channel in the last three weeks, when I was offered content of my home town of STOCKPORT. I live in Offerton, a suburb of the town, & although I have lived in the town all of my life, some of your recent content has brought new information to me, which I was totally unaware of, and has been eye opening. Well done to you & your team, and your list of very useful contacts. I can't wait for some more enlightening footage, reaching me soon. Best wishes, from Brian, of Offerton.

[@toefield251]

I was so happy to see you revisit the Standedge tunnels my "go to" is the Redbrook Engine House vid when you sent the cock rover down the ventilation shaft. That shit was scary I'll watch it again after this one hell yeah! Thank you brother it's so good to see when your channel comes up with a video on my notifications!

[@MartinZero]

It scared me just standing above that shaft, very intimidating

[@peterhewitson2669]

Cracking film, thank you👍

[@stuartbridger5177]

Great video, excellent collaboration. Your reputation as a great videographer and documentary maker is very valuable

[@simonirvine1628]

That is some serous engineering and I'm talking about all the tunnels and those shafts are the things of nightmares, I better sleep alright tonight. Great footage.

[@MartinZero]

Yeah, its actually quite a complex place

[@paulprescott7913]

Great vid Martin, great to see you revisit this engineering marvel. When you compare modern tunnelling construction to what was available in the days when the 4 tunnels were constructed. Its just night and day literally. Thanks for this vid.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Paul, yes Standedge is incredible

[@wacholder5690]

CRT & Martin. Great combination and a Win-Win-situation for both. You know that you'd achieved some special reputation when you've got invited. Thanks for sharing ! I'd liked the original video already and this is a nice reflection on the actual situation going round.

[@MartinZero]

Cheers 😀👍

[@amateurknight235]

Another excellent video Martin , very well done to all the contractors involved looking forward to when I'll be able to go through the tunnel,

[@user-xq6me6pd7q]

Fantastic. Its great to see the upkeep of very old stuff like this. It is such a shame that so much of our heritage is ignored or neglected and to some extent hidden from us as too dangerous or dirty or just old and therefore of no value. The opposite of course is the real truth. Nice one again Martin. Many thanks

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much

[@danam2584]

Another great video Martin! Thank you!

[@carld9451]

Every time I see the railway tunnels under ground are just mind blowing on how they were constructed crazy work underground how the hell did they build them even canal tunnels unreal

[@TalesOfWar]

I love how Roy is always the first one in. Go on, lad!

[@MartinZero]

😀

[@tharkthax3960]

Fantastic revisit! Glad they are keeping history preserved so well. When you said the water ingress took a long time to come thru all the rocks ect - its probably as good as spring water. You get the best jobs! Great video as always 😊

[@jcramond73]

What a gem of a tour Martin !! Being a former Telecommunications tech, I can appreciate on what those lads go through.

[@MartinZero]

I cant imagine it was an easy job

[@jcramond73]

@@MartinZero It had its moments Martin, but truth be told, I would do it again if I was younger.

[@valerielongmore5040]

Martin and team, this was so interesting. Well done yet again. 👍 great. Cheers

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Valerie

[@ForTheBirbs]

An awesome video Martin!

[@MartinZero]

Thank you very much

[@Andrea-73]

Fascinating, Thanks Martin 😊

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Andrea

[@UKVampy]

I was laughing at the water coming in at the air shafts thinking ooh England we're indoors and dry.

[@alanarmer8069]

Great video Martin 👍👍

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Alan

[@cheechU38K]

Some clever engineers should design a catchment for that constant stream of shaft water to drive a turbine generator. Might be enough to supply the infrastructure. Good information on this fabulous tunnel system. 👌🏼

[@Carlos-im3hn]

Awesome visit to the tunnels ! Such great history and up tp date details. Thank you Martin and team !! Wow ! Bring it.

[@johnhankinson1929]

My god you have to take your hat off to all the engineers and labourers including those today that built and repair these tunnels , great film again you two lads

[@MartinZero]

Thanks John, glad you liked

[@icewizzard666]

Awesome vid as always Mart, I watched the other Standedge one before but this one is a whole new look at it, seeing all the work being done and the people explaining how, what and when etc was brilliant. The brickwork in places was amazing, especially that last adit with the small bricked tunnel.

[@Qugar666]

Absolutely great coming back to the tunnels, loved them ever since your first video on them. Very very interesting. Thanks guys.

[@darreno9874]

Great video Martin, it was good of the CRT and AMCO to take you. God bless

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Darren

[@ddMcDd-yl4td]

I've been watching since the trap door in the canal video and it's been interesting to witness the improvement in the quality of your production over time, but that outro shot was spot on. Well done, Martin, and all the blokes who assist in your indeavors. Cheers from flyover country, USA!

[@MartinZero]

Cheers thanks 👍

[@lindamccaughey6669]

Loved that video. How exciting going thru those tunnels. What a lot of work going on. Thanks for taking me along. Please take care

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Linda

[@mikerogers5043]

Your original Standedge video has to be one of my favourite videos, and we invited you to FoWT on the back of it. Really great to see you back there and giving us an update. And of course very jealous 😁

[@MartinZero]

and the rest was history Mike 😄👍

[@simontay4851]

WTF is FoWT????!!! Say the whole words!

[@thomasdieckmann5711]

... and thank you Martin for taking us there

[@MartinZero]

No worries

[@drivewasher]

Absolutely brilliant video AGAIN. Thanks Martin

[@MartinZero]

Thank you

[@someusername1]

This was fantastic. Thank you for sharing it.

[@familylife3624]

I absolutely love these feat of engineering it's amazing what man has created through sweat and blood

[@MartinZero]

Yeah agree, Standedge is amazing

[@familylife3624]

The original video you did , which showed all the cathedrals with the water coming down from air shafts, is my favourite go to video on youtube , love it

[@bcoldgoalie]

I can't imagine building those tunnels in the 1800's! Difficult to imagine the labour involved. Thanks for giving us this amazing look at the internal structure of the tunnels Martin. 👏

[@MartinZero]

Yep true, actually commenced in 1795

[@stephendey5056]

A very informative video Martin, thanks for posting.

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

Yes Martin . Thoroughly enjoyed this one . Hidden engineering stuff that we would never usually see 🤩🤩🧱🧱🧱🧱👍🏽

[@GiffordMusic]

It amazes how much work would of had to be put in to dig 3 miles of tunnel in the 1800’s and 600ft deep shafts 🤯 It takes long enough with our modern day boring machine

[@masicka146]

Be nice if they opened it to the public. I'll love to visit this place

[@ste.h9825]

Brilliant.Thank you.

[@lauriecooper8194]

Most interesting, thanks Martin.👍

[@TeslaTales59]

Now that's a great journey of tunnels! What a fab creation.

[@stevem1208]

Did the tour into the tunnel last year. Loved it

[@markh5433]

Absolutely fantastic….!

[@Qrail]

Thank you for the tour.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you

[@norsehall309]

G'day Matin, fantastic Video, you boys have had a great adventure, l must have a ride on a boat through that tunnel when next in the UK, cheers mate, Neil 🤠.

[@MartinZero]

Yes I would highly recommend it

[@stevenorton3671]

Great video, thanks.

[@SuperRichhead]

Epic!!!

[@MartinZero]

😄👍

[@adrianbaron4994]

Excellent and fascinating video. Thank you!

[@MartinZero]

Cheers

[@raybeaumont7670]

Brilliant! Thanks a lot Martin and everyone - great to see what's being done.

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Ray

[@MrSteffen2020]

Thanks you Martin for nice video see you next time ❤❤

[@MartinZero]

Thank you MrSteffen

[@oneteaminbristolbcfc]

Thanks for this I really appreciate it

[@elizabethannferrario7113]

fabulous video again , Thank you love liz x

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Liz

[@andrewclegg6541]

WoW! Fantastic Martin !

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Andrew

[@shirleylynch7529]

Fantastic. What a great amazing day out for you. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Filming spot on. Well done. Loved it.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Shirley, it certainly was a great day

[@derelictmanchester8745]

Nice one...!!

[@philippabaker1078]

That was a great opportunity to see so much more of this fascinating tunnel. Top video!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks you and yes its a fascinating place

[@floydskifloyd2870]

God that brings back memories Martin well done keep the videos coming

[@MartinZero]

Yeah, that was a good trip in there 👍

[@wendyfisher6669]

OMG no cuppa tea n cake 🍰 as always an excellent video

[@MartinZero]

Unfortunately no brew on this one Wendy 😀

[@garethparr9482]

Really interesting video guys. Thankyou 👍

[@havingalook2]

So interesting and fascinating.

[@sarahcrowther6267]

Had a few walks up Pule hill of late with my dogs....the fence is down around that shaft which is full of water.....u put a go pro down that a while ago. Its a lovely area for walking, we seen 2 paragliders up there getting their gear set up.

[@Jimyjames73]

Very interesting Martin - Thanks for sharing 😊🚂🚂🚂

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Jimy

[@Jimyjames73]

@@MartinZero Your Welcome 😊🚂🚂🚂

[@thomasswallow6418]

Brilliant video, Martin!

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Thomas

[@vinp6933]

iv been through all the way what an amazing experience! wow :D

[@martin4787]

Great to see inside the Standedge Tunnels once again with some fantastic filming and commentary Martin. What I don't understand is why, or the appearance of, making it more difficult to escape from the canal to the safety of the old railway tunnels Martin.

[@MartinZero]

The old tunnel is the obvious and most safe choice

[@martin4787]

@@MartinZero I agree Martin.

[@simontay4851]

Escape from what though? There is nothing to escape from. Has anyone ever actually drowned in the canal? Probably not. The old rail tunnel wouldn't save you from drowning anyway. It just looks like an over complicated, very expensive and unnecessary system. There was nothing wrong with the old system.

[@MartinZero]

Thing is it’s 3 miles long. Boats are down there for almost 2 hours going through. You have to think of medical emergencies. Possible rock collapse (although there hasn’t been a serious one) but it would be irresponsible to have a tunnel that long and deep with no communication or escape plan.

[@martin4787]

@@simontay4851 Fire possibly. It just seems bizarre to me blocking off possible escape routes from the canal.

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

Fantastic video of some modern communication engineeering for some very impressive canal-age engineering. Looks a vital and much needed project to improve the safety of 20C navigators. Thank you.

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Malcolm

[@morturn]

Another super informative video Martin. You have put a lot of work into producing this, thank you.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you 👍

[@Hairnicks]

Fabulous, really interesting, thank you guys, great video.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you very much 👍