Replacing Tracks Inside The Clayton Tunnel

Network Rail had a blockade on the Brighton Mainline to replace life-expired tracks inside the Clayton Tunnel - a well known landmark down in Sussex. So I went for a look to see how it's done, and got to go for a walk inside the tunnel too!
Brighton Mainline Improvement Project Page : www.southernra...
The Clayton Tunnel Crash from 1861: en.wikipedia.o...
My thanks to Chris (as always!) and everyone from Network Rail for inviting me along, it's always a priviledge to be able to go on site visits like this.

[@anthonyholroyd5359]

As traincrew (who gets to sit in a cosy, climate controlled train at work) - I absolutely take my hat off to the 'Orange Army'. Alot of passengers really don't appreciate the sheer amount of effort and work that goes into building, maintaining & upgrading the lines we work. Also yes! Ballast to ballast! Check both ways; make sure you aren't crossing near any points etc. That could trip you up or trap your foot; assume the 3rd rail is live even if you're pretty sure it isn't and; sleepers can be slippery so always ballast to ballast at a right angle to the track where possible.

[@paulbarber1960]

Load of softies the 'orange army' 😎 when I started early in 1977 drivers on the midland did P-way work on Sunday to supplement the drivers poor wages. As a secondman they invited me to help lift rails, pack ballast and tidy the shoulder ballast 💪💪 I lasted 30 minutes 😪 My back hurt, I had a blister and it was dirty. Best place for me was back in the cab. Hard work now on the P-way now but back then 😫😫😫

[@daviddirom7429]

Fractured left thumb (figured that out after cast put on), and 4 sutures. tripped over the rail (1969) going to work, had to cut the skin covering the sutures after the cast came of 4 weeks later. If the nurse tells you not to get up after working on you then I would just do as he/she says. Almost got a concussion and a fractured skull as I got up and then passed out, missing the counter top on the way down. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂. 1969 and still think about it every time I would go near the railway, even if I was at the station and looked a the tracks. Think the railway is one of the things I miss after leaving the uk

[@MylesHSG]

As a Signaller it's a love hate relationship with the Orange Army. They don't like it when they are told it will be a 2 hour wait for a line blockage 😂

[@SamSitar]

good electrical advise.

[@rjjcms1]

Zap ⚡ tangy. Very good safety advice.

[@frglee]

I can't think of a better way to publicise railway engineering works than to invite Geoff Marshall to pop down and have a looksee.

[@MTM2711]

Totally agree. He’s great at explaining the whole story and making it easily accessible.

[@Nooticus]

so true

[@stanleymchale9477]

Network Rail Chris is quite the character and a welcome one. Maybe the reason he "is always in my videos" is because he's a worthy sidekick. More Chris.

[@geofftech2]

i think we've done six or sevem videos together now! am always considering making a 'Geoff and Chris' playlist ...

[@acmenipponair]

@@geofftech2 But he is also right. Without him you wouldn't be there, because he is the Public relations person responsible to look after you, that you don't make any accidents. Without him you wouldn't be allowed on such special tracks ;)

[@SamSitar]

he compliments Geoff as well.

[@anononomous]

He's the ideal side kick, combining enthusiasm, expertise and access 😀

[@MTM2711]

Chris is a dude. Explains things perfectly with good humour. His knowledge is great and he’s super friendly too.

[@AndreiTupolev]

That tunnel was the inspiration for Charles Dickens' "The Signalman", think how lonely and isolated it would be down in that cutting on a foggy night

[@rjjcms1]

I knew there are lock keeper's cottages on site,but I didn't realise there were tunnel keepers with their own house on top of the tunnel entrance. That facade of the north entrance/exit is impressive.

[@TalesOfWar]

@@rjjcms1 You see that kind of over the top facade on a lot of Victorian architecture because they were building it for the first time, they didn't know what such things should look like so they drew inspiration from the past. The station at Manchester that was the first passenger train station in the world is a good example. It looks like a rather ordinary set of townhouses from the front.

[@phaasch]

Where the access lift is, originally was a very steep wooden staircase, almost a ladder, which originally gave access to the South Tunnel signal cabin. It was from here that the signalman in 1861 gave the fatal flag signal for the collision inside the tunnel, which killed 23, with many more injured, the wreckage piling up to the tunnel roof. Also, when the line was originally opened, the tunnel was lit by gas for it's entire length to allay passengers fears of the long darkness, and the walls were actually whitewashed, although how effective that was, and for how long, can only be guessed at!

[@owentoller5280]

Yes, in 1861 trains were regulated merely by the time interval between them (and not by ensuring that the section ahead was clear). The line was very busy, and the signalling and communications equipment at Clayton Tunnel were unable to deal with anything out of the ordinary. Three trains were dispatched from Brighton too close together. The second of the three trains was getting too close to the first, and a mechanical signal failed to operate properly, so the signalman gave a flag signal for the second train to stop. He thought the driver had not observed his flag signal, but in fact the driver had seen it and stopped in the tunnel. The signalman then asked his colleague at the other end of the tunnel, "is tunnel clear"?, which was all he could do with the telegraph codes he had - they couldn't speak to each other. His colleague thought he was referring to the first train and telegraphed back "tunnel clear". So the first signalman gave a clear flag to the third train, which of course then hit the second train which was actually reversing back inside the tunnel. The disaster had a big impact on improving procedures and equipment. Sadly it has often taken disasters to produce such improvements - or, viewed the other way round, tragedies can lead to good things for the future.

[@douglasmacari8707]

Love all your videos, Geoff, but this one has a particular poignancy for me. I grew up in Hassocks and as children in the 1950s we used to get a thrill from walking along the 'cinder path', as it was known, which runs alongside the tracks from Hassocks station to Clayton Tunnel. We would stand on the bridge just before the tunnel and wave to the drivers of the steam engines as they hurtled under the bridge and into the castle-like tunnel, getting completely blasted by clouds of smoke, soot and steam. I travelled many times through the tunnel subsequently but never thought I'd get a look inside. Thanks for this and for all your knowledge, enthusiasm and sense of adventure around everything 'railway'. It's all quite infectious. I live in Canterbury now and frequently travel on the High speed line to London. It's a fantastic service and a wonderful example of the power of great engineering to transform lives. Keep up good work with these terrific videos.

[@__a_4444]

"Just a private residence?" Goodness imagine living directly above a railway tunnel. The noise and excitement!

[@techauthor324]

It has been a few years since my PTS ticket expired but i will always remember 'step ballast to ballast'. Thanks Geoff.

[@SamSitar]

what is a PTS?

[@bigsam2117]

@@SamSitar personal track safety

[@jamesgilbart2672]

Great video! Meanwhile, for passengers, it's rail replacement buses! This emphasises that the Uckfield - Lewes link should be reinstated to provide an alternative route between London - Croydon and Brighton and to generally increase capacity on this very busy corridor.

[@robertlalor8090]

You are like dust, Geoff, you get everywhere!!! Really entertaining. Thanks

[@Flixterino]

This is the kind of stuff I produce designs for - its always great to see Chris involved to give that little technical tidbit bridging some of the gap from our world to yours!

[@ZGryphon]

"These junctions were originally laid in the early '80s, so it's fairly aged and reliability's become a bit of a problem." Relatable.

[@TalesOfWar]

I felt personally attacked at that part haha.

[@tehklevster]

Chris always looks so cheery in his job.

[@VexSG]

That has to be the most creative tunnel entrance I’ve ever seen! Great video Geoff!

[@highpath4776]

more ornate on the Midland main line.

[@justlikehoney3133]

I'd love to see what is in these towers.

[@rjjcms1]

Skeletons of detained faredodgers. Lost property.

[@firesurfer]

@@rjjcms1 Also detained youtubers who explore without permission.

[@BuzzinsPetRock78]

This is a much nicer way of seeing what goes on with network maintenance than just hearing your train won't run :) I wish they would do this over here....but I doubt prorail would allow it.

[@SamSitar]

i enjoyed it too. what is prorail?

[@BuzzinsPetRock78]

@@SamSitar ah, sorry, it's the Dutch equivalent of network rail 🙂 They own the tracks, stations and other infrastructure.

[@gwyneddboom2579]

Same

[@briangarrow448]

Many years ago I knew a fellow who worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as a bridges and buildings carpenter. He had some great tales about his job and the fascinating equipment he got to work on. He also got to live in a converted sleeper car that was made into a rolling apartment- including kitchen and bathroom.

[@samuelbeckett4632]

Really interesting to see some behind the scenes & appreciate the magnitude of planning & execution of these types of activities 👍

[@highbury1972]

A fantastic educational video Geoff! I use this line almost daily and I love the Sussex part especially The Balcombe Viaduct.

[@tardismole]

Network Rail is curently working on the track behind my house; literally less than five metres away from my front door. They sent a letter before hand to apologise for the noise. I haven't heard a peep.

[@ianbarnes9947]

Probably still in the "planning stage" for their "official" tea break - them biscuits don't pick themselves you know!

[@PrograError]

Well call it precautions... Well... Untill that hacksaw starts to earthquake your home to hell...

[@Deanrwp]

Hey Geoff, I absolutely love all of your videos especially like this one where you are invited onto track by Network Rail, and let us all know about essential engineering works which are vital to keeping our Rail Network running, without these guys we wouldn’t have trains running, As always another great video I look 👀 forward to your next one so Please stay safe! 😊👍

[@Sim0nTrains]

Clayton Tunnel from the north end looks stunning, I didn't knew you had to be a loco length from the wagons to walk around but I knew about the sleepers, during private yard/depot tours around freight yards or they do mention that when walking on the track to stay off the sleepers, especially if the sleepers are covered in frost. Great Video and now for some strange reason, want to ride the Brighton Mainline now lol

[@rjjcms1]

I can see why,though. Sound advice.

[@Sim0nTrains]

@@rjjcms1 I can agree and understand why but it something new that I have learnt while watching Geoff’s video 👍🏻

[@2H80vids]

Sleepers don't need frost to be slippery. Particularly wooden sleepers can be slippery with rain, leaves, or just creosote. Oil, diesel, grease etc can all be found there too and, once any of these substances are on the soles of your boots, 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 becomes slippery.

[@Sim0nTrains]

@@2H80vids true, more thinking of when I did the tours in January and got carried away

[@JISJ1964]

Thanks for bringing us into a railwaytunnel in England as it was different for me who normally follow several narrowboats around the network and get to follow them in the tunnels.

[@johnstilljohn3181]

That's brilliant...! The number of times I've travelled on that line - it's great to see inside the tunnel.

[@robbiehillier1760]

Very good informative video, my mother was brought up in tunnel house along with her four sisters and brother, her parents rented it off britsh railways from the 50's through to the mid 1990's. I used to sleep in the front bedroom over the southbound track, it was surprising quiet, after a while you got so used to the rumble of the trains beneath you, hardly noticing them.

[@caw25sha]

Years ago I had a book by O S Nock with a photo of this tunnel entrance. I always thought how silly it looked with a little cottage plonked on top.

[@davideddy5877]

You have great contacts Geoff. Excellent video.

[@johnfry1011]

Thanks for the trip down memory lane, having spent many hours in Clayton Tunnel, including putting a twist in the track on the up road when a fault developed on a machine, and on a separate occasion having run in to a bank slip just north of Copyhold Junction.

[@melbournemetrotrainsvlogs9401]

A few days ago, I went on the Brighton Mainline through the Clayton tunnel and the tracks were pretty old. Good that they are replacing them.

[@davecude2189]

Geoff, just watched this video. Just reminded me of all those years my signalling mice team walked this tunnel with trains running. Reminds me when the Merstham Tunnel both lines were relaid in one blockade.

[@Jensen685]

Ohh that's a old tunnel your video's always make me smile 😃 Also I love That 70816 it's rare to see it were I'm from. I have never seen a class 70.

[@AheadMatthewawsome]

If ever Australia gets invaded, or I get too sick and tired of Sydney. This would actually be my local line! Thanks for giving me a sneek peek into the inevitable Geoff!

[@francismewton3276]

So you had a day watching track renewal, great ain't it, I stood and watched days of track renewal at camborne station, took many photos of changing events, strange seeing Camborne station with no tracks, I live about 30yards away from the station so I see many things going, wonderful.......

[@MrChristiangraham]

Fascinating. Thanks so much, Geoff and also to the Network Rail crew for all that you do.

[@steveamurray59]

Thanks and Well Done. Thanks Network Rail for the insight..

[@psmirage8584]

Really interesting report. Great visuals, amazing locale. Even the mundane can be spectacular.

[@garethhelliwell9736]

Geoff, you should do a video about the summit tunnel that runs between the town of Todmorden in West Yorkshire and Littleborough in Lancashire. In the 80's there was big disaster in the tunnel when a freight train carrying oil tankers caught fire which melted the tunnel lining and produced massive flames to come out of the air shafts.

[@the-real-iandavid]

Perhaps a whole "tunnel" series is in order. I love underground places!

[@paulprescott7913]

Also Stanedge and Totley.

[@SMlFFY85]

@@the-real-iandavid Check out Martin Zero's channel, he's regularly exploring tunnels and culverts, including the Standedge tunnels.

[@the-real-iandavid]

@@SMlFFY85 Thanks. It looks like he's local to me, so I'm sure I'll find some fascinating videos from him!

[@simonabbott7323]

1:50 Stares at missing track. "I've lost track......"Love the pun!! 🤣

[@bradders9449]

Excellent video and some really good engagement there from Network Rail!

[@sunshowers186]

It's so fun to see this sort of work in action, and meeting the staff behind the scenes getting it all done. Thanks Geoff (& Network rail!)

[@thetessellater9163]

Those moaners whose journeys to work are 'disrupted' by all these necessary maintenance works should sub to your channel for some calming balance. 😉 I would have liked to see the stone tipping out of the wagons, but perhaps that's the dangerous bit they'd keep you away from. Agree that a non exploding railway is the best sort. Nice one Geoff.

[@neville132bbk]

Have a long time friend living in Slaugham... he from Aust. and me here in NZ....... 10 years on a heritage railway, 7.5Km long provided a wide range of work and safety operations... from re-decking a single track steel truss bridge 7 m above a river to the laborious task of re-sleepering sections,, wooden sleepers old and new. Well done, Geoff.. well aware of your safety points about crossing tracks :-)

[@ramboalthor6094]

Another great video, I've worked there a few times, I also recognised a few familiar faces that I used to work with in this video.

[@trevordance5181]

I remember listening to Radio Luxembourg years ago and a fella rang in and during his conversation with the DJ mentioned the fact that he lived in the cottage above the north portal of Clayton Tunnel. I remember thinking, "how cool was that" having passed beneath his house by train many times.

[@robbiehillier1760]

My late Grandmother lived in tunnel house from the 50's right through to late 1993. My mother, her four sisters and brother grew up there. My late grandfather works for british railways, there is a british pathe film of the family from c1960.

[@keithkellogg6085]

Geoff !! I love it when you get the invite to these. First, Network rail is extremely smart to have you there to not only explain what’s happening, but also to let their people shine - it shows how much pride they take in doing their jobs and no doubt getting to show this only helps. I think it showcases the good works but also grows real / actual understanding for the public as to why a service needs to be temporarily affected. Chris is cheeky/funny and bloody smart, always a big pleasure to see him. Great vid on your part. That tunnel is beautiful.

[@jamesneilsongrahamloveinth1301]

Well said . . .

[@100SteveB]

Thanks for this amazing opportunity to see inside the tunnel, Geoff, really interesting. Must have travelled through there hundreds of times on the old class 420 slam door trains in the past. Don't know if it's still there, but there used to be a really nice pub near the northern portal (the fancy looking one) called the Jack and Jill, often popped down there in the summer. And wow, if your in to trains, you can't beat living in the house above the northern portal! A very unique view from your front window indeed.

[@stevewest1448]

The Matsfield Arms

[@coxallk32]

Good radio selection in the minibus 👍

[@MrSHWP1]

Great video! You get to go places that are closed for the public. Awesome! I work for the public transport company in Amsterdam, and I also go places no public can come and that is what makes that job special. I love it! Keep it going Geoff! See you in the next one!

[@andrewholloway231]

Thank you Geoff and everyone at Network Rail for this amazing video. Superb. I enjoyed this immensely.

[@andyrob3259]

I love that house!!! As long as you had double glazing on the tunnel side what a great home for a gunzel!

[@tristanclayton1139]

Not since my last colonoscopy has a Clayton tunnel seen this much activity.

[@tristanclayton1139]

Come to think of it, that also had to be closed to the public for nine days.

[@philroberts7238]

@@tristanclayton1139 Was there a grand re-opening ceremony or was it for invited guests only?

[@tristanclayton1139]

@@philroberts7238 My memory’s somewhat hazy but there was definitely a queueing system in place.

[@Tom-lv4in]

Trains always cheer me up

[@gobears6487]

I'm well behind on your videos but FYI this was terrific Geoff!

[@marthaanderson2656]

that tunnel façade with the smoky cottage, I mean my heart just swooned

[@johnclayden1670]

I've worked on new rail projects in Iraq, UK-France, Greece, Egypt, Taiwan and Korea but never on maintenance jobs. This was fascinating and thanks for the upload.

[@paddybee4685]

Well done and thank you to Network Rail for being so transparent and inviting Geoff down, so he can make a very interesting video.

[@harryjohn7671]

That minibus had some bangin tunes 🤣

[@andrewwilson6240]

With 345 comments it may have been mentioned before, but Dan from `Signals to Danger` podcast did an absolutely brilliant review of the Clayton tunnel accident. In fact for anyone interested in rail safety, the podcast is highly recommended

[@sifonick]

Very cool to see Clayton tunnel up close, I used to live in Hassocks as a child and I still zoom through Clayton on a weekly bases for work.

[@nrbudgen]

I lived in Hassocks in the late 60s. The station was wonderful, almost certainly unchanged from LBSCR days. In summer it was really magical - still lit with gas lamps that gurgled quietly. Then the vandals 'modernised' it and converted it into a glorified bus stop. I moved to London after that and was often annoyed (!) when I caught the train from Victoria to Brighton at weekends and found that it was the Brighton Belle and it cost 5 shillings (25p) extra for the luxury! For years on end there were engineering works at Wivelsfield at weekends with a bus service to complete the journey. I often wondered what they were doing that took years to complete. Commuting from Hassocks to Victoria was expensive torture with often standing room only. I expect it's even worse now!

[@phaasch]

I loved the Brighton Belle, but then it was my mum who was paying the supplement!

[@aw-group]

Very informative, a good watch 👍

[@mikebray3269]

Thanks Geoff for the video. Nice to see the bridge that is just before the southern portal of the tunnel form the track view. Used to drive a Massey Ferguson 158 over that bridge backwards and forwards from the farm up into the Downs.

[@michaeldwyer3352]

Great video - and good to see you out and about again. Many thanks.

[@joermnyc]

My grandfather worked as a track layer for the NYC Subway… this was the old days before they had cranes and other mechanical equipment. So he and three other guys would have to use long tongs to grab a rail, pick it up and carry it into place. Safety was also nonexistent. If your line of track’s conductor rail wasn’t being worked on, the power was left on! One very hot day my grandfather’s sweaty arm brushed that live rail… threw him sideways into the express tracks… thankfully no trains were coming and the other guys carried him back over quickly. Burned off all the hair on his arm, and gave him a big bruise from the rough landing, but otherwise he was fine.

[@alanspooner3612]

I love this Geoff. Thanks for all that you do.

[@shaunwest3612]

Great video Geoff,essential work being done, what an amazing feat of engineering this tunnel is👍👌😀

[@watfordman4639]

Hey Geoff. Absolutely love your videos. Very entertaining and interesting videos. Even the simplest and strange videos have great information. 👍

[@robertbest3796]

Absolutely brilliant Geoff. Very well explained fantastic presentation

[@colinsaunderson6682]

great video ..love the tunnel ..that house would b a amazing place to live

[@redbeard2474]

We need a whole series with you and Chris!

[@radiogoodguy6287]

Loved this video Geoff. It was fascinating to see how this work is done. You fit right in with the crew. Did they hire you? 👍

[@brammyd]

Geoff. As ever another great video , topped off by bumping into you at Hassocks before you started. I can also confirm possession was given back on time and the first train, my 05:16 Cambridge thameslink service did run on time on Monday morning!

[@AndyWoodger]

Geoff, you remind me of myself, the kind of person who will ask if you can go to work with Network Rail to watch how they lay track in a tunnel! Next video the question will be "Please can I cab ride the Clayton Tunnel?" Always interesting sir!!

[@geofftech2]

thanks Andrew! one of these days i'll get my PTS, wear a white hat, and get even closer to the action ...

[@gobears6487]

@@geofftech2 "PTS"?

[@jamesharris2828]

Great video 👍 I may have gone through the tunnel in 2015 when I got a Train from London Victoria to Littlehampton and back

[@gdwnet]

My favourite bit of track - love that tunnel.

[@mattyexploresavengerurban7922]

places has a lot of history my family my great-great-grandfather help build that tunnel back in the day Thanks I always wondered what is like when I go past in the what it’s like inside tunnel thank you

[@proudvirginian]

First: jealous of that private residence Second: they're from the 80's and they're aged? Pfft!! Third: "There ain't any" ~veteran Network Rail guy is my fave Network Rail guy. Thanks for the vid, Geoff 🙂

[@andrewmarch7891]

Excellent, very informative thank you very much.

[@JaapFilius]

Wonderful video!!

[@Jimyjames73]

This is amazing Geoff - Thank you for sharing!!! 🙂🚂🚂🚂

[@andrewsartorius7350]

Another great video mate

[@AFAndersen]

I like the semi-regular cast of this channel..

[@keithkellogg6085]

P.S. - the bits about safety - ballast to ballast - I never knew but it makes absolute sense. Some additional comments below expounded on these brilliantly. It makes me think some safety vids (how to cross tracks, how to evacuate a train?) could maybe be really useful, in fact, if Network Rail is watching, maybe you and Geoff could collaborate on something and put it out together?? For the public good? Just a thought. Cheers as always.

[@andywight6659]

Had to take a replacement bus to Three Bridges from Brighton last weekend so it’s great to see the reason for that!

[@wilfbm9067]

I'm surprised network rail haven't put you through a PTS yet the amount of sites you go to! Great video.

[@sierra4x4sc]

Great video as per usual Geoff. Sorry I missed you. Would have been good to catch up again.

[@geoffmeehan9723]

This is fantastic !

[@JohnTalbot-k6xi]

Network Rail has just the best people (!!) that work behind the scenes

[@CloudmasterGaming]

Geoff, I just forgot. Have you done a station called "Lelant" it is a request stop on the St erth and St Ives shuttle on GWR.

[@michaelchallis2437]

Well done Geoff great video, you get all the best jobs.

[@rohitdoestech]

I've never noticed this ever when I travel between London and brighton for Uni

[@graemecatty9921]

Top video as always Geoff. Keep it up.

[@AquesousSolution]

No step count? ;-) Another excellent video as always.

[@BritishBeachcomber]

Find memories of that tunnel. The last days of steam. The prep school special down to Seaford. Used to hang out of the window to get a smell of that smoke on the original Hogwarts Express.

[@ReubenAshwell]

One of the best tunnels in the world, can remember the first time I went through it when I was very young on a class 319 on a Thameslink City Flyer service. :)

[@michaelsaunders7231]

There's still a foot crossing on the Brighton main line at Bedelands just North of Wivelsfield.

[@PaulfromChicago]

Thanks Geoff.

[@swordsoulz]

Lol

[@1hamg001]

It's really interesting with the viaducts on London Road (Brighton) and then a lovely opening on the north portal

[@MrAsBBB]

Great Video as always. Made my weekend. Thank you

[@walkingtheboogie]

Lucky man. I'd love to go in there. Thanks for making the video.

[@zitzong]

Fantastic video Geoff, love a nice tunnel!