Harecastle Railway Tunnel Abandoned Explore - Disused Railway

Please watch: "The Most Beautiful Closed Railway in the UK? Scarborough to Whitby Railway Episode 2"
• The Most Beautiful Clo... -~-
Harecastle Railway Tunnel Abandoned Explore - Disused Railway
Join me as i head up to Staffordshire to explore the long abandoned Harecastle ( Chatterley ) Disused Railway Tunnel
We begin at the Southern Portal and make our way through what start off to be typical railway tunnel conditions..... but then....
Wellies are required as i attempt to trawl through the deep bright orangle sludge that lies before us.... Will i get to the other end?
Also i look for the shorter Middle Harecastle Tunnel, the adjoining cutting and then a short walk over the top of Harecastle Hill in search of any shafts.
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#harecastle #tunnel #disused #railway Additional Music by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0.
www.scottbuckley.com.au

[@jordanthomas78]

I live locally to the tunnels, just off the Chatterley Drive estate. I have seen the Northern Portal of the Southern Tunnel (at Bathpool Park - my local park) and both ends of the Middle Tunnel (it's viewable from Boathorse Road). The tunnel received maintenance in January and February 2021 (northern end of the Southern tunnel). I was passing and noticed workmen there, they have repaired parts of the original brickwork. It is amazing to see the shafts in the field above and you can tell where the tunnel is as the ground is slightly higher. Also, please could you do a video of the Birchenwood Tunnel? It's only very small and you can walk through it. It was on the Potteries Loop Line (accessible behind Aldi in Kidsgrove) and above carried trains to the Birchenwood Colliery. The tunnel was double track but then went to single track. Great video!!!

[@TheThorntonBrapper]

I think Birchenwood was originally designed as a quite rare triple track arrangement, it is super wide for a Victorian tunnel.

[@28YorkshireRose12]

That hole in the tunnel floor "where it looks like they've been digging for something" - "Like drain, but there's no evidence of one". . . . . . . . . . Is very likely to have been dug to facilitate the suction hose of a portable pump. From some of the pictures, it is quite evident that the tunnel has been flooded to some depth, looks like about a foot to eighteen inches in one place. More than likely it had to be pumped out. It looks like a wet and soggy hole, and that alone could have been the reason why it wasn't suitable for electrification - It certainly didn't look like it was lacking in height. The brickwork looks like it is suffering, judging from the white crystalline deposits, salt from the groundwater and leaching out of the bricks, mixed with sulphur from the locomotive soot, all in a wet environment makes for a corrosive solution. I note there was a fairly recent "tag" painted on the wall, indicating that the DfT (Department for Transport) have recently surveyed the tunnel (recently being in relative terms). Tunnels aren't as permanent as we'd like to believe, and do require a fair amount of preventative maintenance. This maintenance falls upon the DfT, and in the case of "dead assets" like this tunnel can become a cost too great to bear - It's all paid for out of the public purse. I could imagine that in due course this tunnel might well end up being back filled when the cost of repair becomes too great, unless some organisation/council adopt it and adapt it to other uses, like a tramway or cycle way.

[@SpoonyMcSpoonface]

There’s a railway film called Under The Wires made in 1965 which briefly shows these tunnels prior to closure. It says they were wet and expensive to maintain. It’s about 09 minutes into the film.

[@sarahwinfield3989]

I sit here, coffee in hand thoroughly enjoying your exploits, and while I would love to be able to experience inside the tunnel; for real, your efforts help me understand more of our railway infrastructure. Thanks for posting

[@roytabberer7427]

Lovely video as normal. The colour inside the tunnel is very similar to the colour of the water in Harecastle Canal Tunnel.

[@brianwilliams7783]

I walked through the main tunnel with my dog in 1990. My trainers stayed orange and Gregor's white paws were that colour for a while. In those days there was only one fence at either end and uprights had been bent to allow access. Didn't know the tunnel had another name. (Same pronunciation as "chat" unless Kidsgrove people don't use Stoke lingo.)

[@colinwykes1833]

Hey Ant, another stunning walk, the atmosphere, the colours gave it a real spooky and eerie feel. I did not realise that it was the location of the Leslie Whittle murder, I do remember it though. Thanks for taking us along, take care and stay safe. :) :) :)

[@willp358]

Brilliant vid. I remember being on a canal holiday in the early 1980s and a walk from the south portal of the canal tunnel we could see the south railway portal looking relatively clear. There didn't seem to be any barrier in those days. So sad it's in such decline these days..

[@Tuberuser187]

The intro is superb, it is very atmospheric and sets the tone for the video. Great explore, thank you for showing this to us.

[@michaelmiller641]

Very interesting!

[@lindamccaughey6669]

Really enjoyed your tunnel. Think that white stuff might just be calcite. Good job you had your Welles on. I so enjoyed that, thanks for taking me along. Please stay safe and take care

[@jontownsend8090]

Great footage, made even better with the added atmosphere, this one does seem to have a spooky, surreal feel for some reason. Fantastic as always.

[@bobsrailrelics]

Great video, and good stills to complement.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks so much Bob 😀

[@martinmarsola6477]

Thank you for the nice video and chat. Appreciate your time in these. See you on the next.

[@seamusmcevoy2011]

That was a great 'two parter', nice to get back and access the middle tunnel as well. It looked a right mess in the main tunnel but nothing a decent pair of wellies can't beat!!! Just imagine the hard graft that went into building those tunnels, mostly done by pick and shovel I'd think, tough men.

[@TrekkingExploration]

The wellies survived too and are still at home like new 😂

[@stephensutcliffe1555]

Thank you very much for the upload.it is very greatly appreciated.

[@andrewmaurerandrew6801]

Top man keep them coming 👍👍👍

[@jonathanrogers7278]

Great video ant nice one

[@Carolb66]

Hi Ant, I've noticed you call them refuges, have you heard the term cubbies? That's what we call them as in cubbie hole it's a place where you put things or somewhere you can hide like under the stairs, I don't know if it's a regional thing but that's we we get the term cubbie hole which we still say today & it comes from the railway tunnels. ❤😊 ps, another great video, very atmospheric & spooky too😮

[@philliphammond399]

Hi Ant, thanks for another excellent video. Extremely atmospheric, added to with the black and white photos and your choice of music.

[@richardperry5538]

Great video Ant, keep them coming 🙂

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thank you Richard

[@janepatricia8779]

Another brilliant video Ant,, loved the music,,xx

[@dwrowley]

Great interesting and informative video, beautiful music

[@exileinderby51]

Brilliant video, I love your explores.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks so much 😀

[@simonballard6413]

Super video, Ant. Staffordshire seems to have rather a lot of abandoned tunnels! More, please!

[@shirleylynch7529]

Fabulous as always. Amazing footage. Colours in tunnel superb. Drone footage stunning. Great vlog. Thank you. Great experience going in that tunnel.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thank you Shirley. It took two trips but it was worth it 🙂

[@frankfitzgerald5832]

Great video as usual Ant .....enjoyed the wander looking for the shafts ....keep up the good work mate....regards Frank & Lee....

[@TrekkingExploration]

It's always nice walking over the top if I can. That's why it took me 9 month's to put this together as I knew I had to go back post lockdown

[@oldtuberig]

So much beauty in a confined space...Super!

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thank you for watching 😃

[@barrythedieselelectricstea5217]

excellent video 👍it sounded very spooky and expected to see a ghost 😱could that scaffolding be there for when they tried to electrify the line 🤔

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thank you Bob. The scaffolding has been there a while but they are only set up under the shafts. Maybe some repointing work a few years ago?

[@abandonedexploringmike]

New subscriber here got your link from alw last video nice one buddy

[@TrekkingExploration]

Hey Mike thanks so much 😃

[@billyruss]

Walked through these two tunnels with a mate when I was at Keele University in the early 80s. It was pretty wet even then, with parts of the trackbed completely submerged, but I don't remember the orange gunge. The "tunnel diary" I kept at the time records some details of the crossheading to the canal tunnel, but I don't think we explored it at the time. Went a second time without torches, but had to abandon the visit when I fell into one of the inspection pits at the side of the tunnel - it was a cold day and we had thick coats on, and I luckily escaped with just a few bruised ribs and a torn sleeve - it could have been a lot worse! Am I right in thinking, then, that between your two visits, a second fence has been put in place at both ends, making this tunnel now inaccessible? That would be a shame. Great music btw.

[@jetsons101]

Another gem of a watch. Enjoy the use of B&W pic's to show the Then and Now. Like your mates "caving shorts" Just wondering, what's the distance between each refuge? The image at 21:27 could be made into a print, framed and put up on a wall. What a great day you had, your enthusiasm is infectious. One of your videos I still watching is "A Medieval Culvert in Whitwick Leicestershire." Thanks for your time and work and posting........

[@jetsons101]

Just about to take the dog for a walk and look what was waiting for me, "Trekking and Towpaths" The dog will have to wait just a bit.............

[@TrekkingExploration]

I hope the pooch enjoyed it too 😂😀

[@dazzlerbob1870]

Those stones to the abutment have been there for over 30 years, they were there in 1991. They were quite close to the man hole used by The Black Panther to hide his poor victim Lesley Whittle.

[@TrekkingExploration]

WOW that's crazy. Terrible stuff about the murder 😔

[@bobingram6912]

Don't know why but this vid and haunting track was creeping me out, so atmospheric😨 Nicely done Ant. Coffee mug😢❤

[@TrekkingExploration]

The mug deserved a day out. Aimee had no Idea I'd taken it 😀

[@bobingram6912]

@@TrekkingExploration Every outing it gets will hopefuly raise awareness for Aimees goal ❤❤

[@TrekkingExploration]

@@bobingram6912 The Yorkshire 3 Peaks is happening on August 7th too as a sponsored event for her. All filmed of course 😀

[@2H80vids]

@@TrekkingExploration Could you tell us a bit more about the cause Ant?

[@TrekkingExploration]

@@2H80vids I'll create a community post on here 🙂

[@socklesslad]

Good one once again, mate! I used to live pretty close to the tunnels so I've seen the portals many times but never got into them myself. Well done on getting all the way through when Martin Zero didn't! Thanks also for showing the middle tunnel - that's the one everyone forgets about. You've done two of the tunnels now which means there's only one left. Do you have any plans to try Brindley's canal tunnel or aren't you that foolhardy? ;-)

[@helenthorne8451]

Hi Ant really enjoyed your video lots to see and glad the wellies were on, where abouts in the country are these please🤓👍

[@TrekkingExploration]

The wellies or the tunnels? 😀😂😂

[@helenthorne8451]

The wellies and the tunnels both fantastic xx

[@TrekkingExploration]

@@helenthorne8451 just north of Stoke on Trent. The wellies are happily still living with me 😀

[@davidkitchen7941]

Just think of all the manual labour required to build the tunnel and shafts using individual bricks.

[@TrekkingExploration]

The number of bricks required must have kept many in healthy business. Thank you for watching 🙂

[@chrisandjaneonnarrowboatpo3917]

Great video. Always reminds me of lesley whittle. How did you get through that double gate. Think that was put on after Martin zero tried to get through and they failed.

[@TrekkingExploration]

The double gate has been installed between both of my visits. Luckily when I went back a few weeks ago to do the external stuff I didn't need to go inside 😀

[@matthewwren1177]

Another good film. Have you thought about looking at 'Daw Mill' Colliery and it's railway sidings? The site is disused just up the road from the main entrance you have a old abandoned house that was probably standing before the Colliery started and in the front garden is a narrow gauge Colliery wagon and just in between the house and the entrance to the Colliery on the same side of the road is another narrow gauge wagon. I get the feeling the old house had something todo with the Colliery when the Colliery was up and running as there's Colliery paper work in a out house that gose with the house. I visited 'Daw Hill' this weekend. My friend took some of the paper work as he thought they was interesting.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks Mathew. If it's easy enough to get around I may have a visit 👍

[@MsShaun666]

Jolly interesting. Who is responsible for for those disused tunnels now? Is it Network Rail? I don’t want to discourage your adventures but are you committing trespass?

[@MtbAddict109]

Is it dangerous? With regards to oxygen levels.. have you heard about the Haie Hill tunnel in the Forest of Dean? Some people have walked through.

[@CJ-ke4lb]

It’s all going to go horribly wrong one day!

[@darrenpickering247]

Who pays for the fencing to block access to the tunnels? who has the keys for the locks?

[@TrekkingExploration]

I'm not sure who even owns this one it was put up for sale around 2013. Thank you for watching

[@genebailey3810]

Why repair a tunnel that has been closed for nearly 60 years?

[@paulwortley9546]

when i went i lost a brand new fenex tk 75, got anti climb grease on the dog and then fell down the bank ,not impressed

[@TrekkingExploration]

Damn thats unlucky how did that happen? I think its impossible to get inside since i went last year now