Hidden Secrets of the Standedge Tunnels - Part 1

[@havingalook2]

And thank you Network Rail for letting you in to bring it to us. Very interesting indeed. Many thanks.British engineering at its finest.

[@Jamie92208]

The abandoned building with the water tank on top. was there to feed water into a system of water troughs laid between the rails, the steam Locos had scoops under their tenders that the fireman would lower to pick up water as they were travelling. The tunnel was the only level stretch between Manchester and Leeds where these could be provided.

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

Forgot about the troughs, shame on me. Thanks for answering my why is that tank so big which was steaming around inside my head.

[@Jamie92208]

A loco could pick up 3000 gallons of water when it dipped it's scoop and the troughs needed refilling quickly. That big iron pipe that you saw broken off would probably have been the pipe that supplied the troughs. The inlet would be smaller.

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

@@Jamie92208 Me again, sorry. I've still a couple of Troublesome Trucks clanking about my brain. If I understand you correctly, may I ask: Since the troughs obviously weren't next to the platforms, do you mean that they were actually inside the tunnels? If so, that would explain ~ along with the watery topography ~ the enormous gully Darren shewed us. What a sight that would have been!

[@Jamie92208]

Yes they were inside the tunnels. Certainly on two tracks but possibly all four. I don't know the answer to that one. We only find things out by asking questions. With a system of ball valves the system worked automatically. No computer control those days.

[@Jamie92208]

When the fireman was a bit late getting the scoop up when the tender was full the overflow in the tunnels must have been spectacular. The front coaches often got a good wash.

[@jetsons101]

Darren, your special effect at 12:01 is very similar to the Train segment on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride at Disneyland. The skill, engineering and manpower it took to build that system of rail and canal tunnels is amazing considering it was done before computers or any power equipment, all built by hand --- hats off to the workers. Thanks for your time, work and posting.

[@rollertoaster812]

Seeing the train pass through the live tunnel near the end there was perfect!

[@mattbrettle6614]

I went through the canal tunnel with a group of British Geological Survey geologists and British waterways in around ‘97. This was before it was opened, and we were there to record the rocks before they cleared and concrete coated the walls. I think we used a small boat, and have to drag over the rockfalls, while describing the rocks. Good to see it open, and interesting video. Thanks. Incredible engineering.

[@boaterbill3062]

I have been right through in a narrowboat and it is an experience. At the time Virgin trains were advertising Liverpool to London faster than the tunnel transit time! Unless I misunderstood you you mentioned spoil from the canal tunnel being brought into the railway tunnel - it was rather the reverse as railway tunnel spoil was loaded into boats as the canal tunnel was there first. Enjoyed it.

[@AdventureMe]

Yeah that's what I meant lol

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

Did you "leg it" through cos those rock walls looked a bit wonky?

[@Jamie92208]

Most of the spoil is alongside the canal at the Marsden end in big heaps.

[@ProTroll_UK]

@@JP_TaVeryMuchstop being stupid. Of course he didn’t leg it.

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

@@ProTroll_UK Legitimate question I'd say. That's how it would have been done. Hard day at work, dear?!

[@andrewhonour9287]

Loving your channel mate, wish I'd known when worked with you. Really professional channel with great content. Thank you

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. Good ole Baileys. You still there?

[@stephenwilshaw3052]

Great stuff, Darren. Really interesting video. I'm looking forward to the rest of this series.

[@sampointau]

Other way with the spoil removal, the spoil from the oldest rail tunnel was loaded onto barges in the canal tunnel as the canal tunnel was built 30 years odd before the first rail tunnel. The downward slope of the adult to the canal tunnel aided in the transfer.

[@shirleylynch7529]

Enthralling from start to finish. Can’t wait until the next episode. Brilliant Darren. Thank you .

[@LKBRICKS1993]

Amazing footing really enjoyed watching. I love looking at old history like this.

[@lindseykaine-walley6339]

I loved watching this video on the Tunnel, I wouldn't go myself as I am claustrophobic so this was easier for me to see. Looking forward to part 2.

[@martinmarsola6477]

Thanks for the walking tour this day. Always interesting to watch and hear your explaining what we are seeing. Good to see you again. Always an enjoyable walking tour with you. Cheers Darren!

[@Wedgedoow]

Very interesting video Darren and enjoyable. Thanks for posting Pete

[@JammyJan007]

Awesome ending to Part 1 with the wind and the 'Live Train'. Well caught 👊👍not seen that before .

[@cedarcam]

This is going to be a great explore. I always wanted to go in these tunnels but never got the chance. Always there on the wrong maintenance day. I have seen a few photos and heard many tales and now this is the nearest I will get to seeing them in real.

[@2002barneyf]

Great video and look forward to the next part - have taken boat trips part way into the canal tunnel so this video is amazing!

[@shirleysmith1713]

Good to see you again Darren. Very interesting video, liked the live train going through the tunnel. Thanks Darren 👍🏻😀

[@Naitsirhc1]

Fascinating and very interesting 👍

[@Dave1976.]

Excellent vlog as always Darren. The train was right on cue. Many of us would like to get in places we cant. But we have The Great Adventure of experiencing it through yourself, bringing it to us viewers. 5***** Engineering stands the test if times.

[@pyrodoll2422]

This is why i love your channel.

[@JessJR1983]

It’s a fabulous area, the Diggle Hotel is a gem of a Pub also! Brilliant video, thank you.

[@nataliesmith303]

Wow! How fantastic, lucky you getting to go through these fab tunnels. Can’t wait to see more

[@TopFunAviation]

Great video there Darren. Really interesting how all the tunnels current and old connect to each other!

[@doctorsocrates4413]

Excellent work as always darren...thank you.

[@robertberry5003]

A fascinating video Darren,very informative can't wait for part 2. Glad to see you back .

[@pietweety7020]

Great to have you back mate, top video as always

[@familylife3624]

Nice little video Darren, our pal (Martin zero) from over the hills in deepest darkest Lancashire did the same walk through but managed to show the shafts it amazes me how much manpower and physical blood sweat and tears have gone into making those four tunnels

[@AdventureMe]

Shafts are in the next episodes.

[@jeffdayman8183]

Great one Darren, really enjoyed it. Cheers!

[@paulharvey9149]

How very fascinating, especially the much smaller-bore canal tunnel, that simply burrows through the rock without any railway-style linings. You do have to marvel at how they managed to make them all so straight, without any modern scientific instruments or machinery. It's great to see you again too, Darren: I look forward to Part 2...

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

It was all done with chains..!

[@mattlund8170]

Good to see you back 👍, and a very interesting videos roll on part 2

[@trafficsnitch3505]

Fantastic. Very informative

[@kellettor]

Fantastic stuff, I really enjoyed watching this. Thank you!

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@anthonyhiggins3135]

Absolutely brilliant

[@a11csc]

what an absolutely fabulous place darren

[@AdventureMe]

Sure is

[@shaunwest3612]

Great video Darren, amazing engineering, looking forward to part 2👍👌😀

[@Rhubba]

Adventure Me has taught me many new railway terms. Before I started watching the channel I didn't know about abutments and culverts and that ballast seemed to be something to do with ships, submarines and hot hair balloons and not gravel found in railyards. Now I can add adit to my glossary.

[@UKAbandonedMineExplores]

Thanks for that,enjoyed, probably the most detailed video I’ve seen of them.

[@lady_brickskater]

hi Darren, thx for the video and your perspective on the standedge tunnels. Looking forward to future video's on these tunnels 🙂 btw, for a narrowboaters perspective on the tunnels, find the foxes afloat video on them ;) edit, rewatching the foxes afloat video now, and i think at their 14 min 30 mark you can see the bridge Darren filmed the canal from

[@MarkDenson-ld8bf]

Another great video Thank you Darren

[@WobblyRunner]

Really enjoyed that Darren. Fascinating underground world.

[@davidnorman7761]

Darren superb content and factual as well keep this going Darren only a matter of time before the knock on the door to make them more accessible to a bigger audience on a bigger platform.

[@user-nv7us7zn9u]

Years ago when working at Diggle for a new station in the 1980s, it was possible to see steel plates covering the canal in the bed of the river just outside the new tunnel mouth. It was also possible to walk up the culvert carrying the river from the running line bridge to a metal grill.

[@oddsandwindsocks5905]

Superb new series Darren, looking forward to part 2

[@walkinginthesun]

Great video Darren keep up with the good work 😎

[@christelbraune4530]

Vielen Dank für diesen Rückblick und auch Einblick . Sicher ganz toll für deine Landsleute die nun in Erinnerungen schwelgen. Nur der Tunnel, da kommt man doch sonst nicht rein, schön mal zu sehen. Thank you Darren

[@andybbeck2043]

Darren fantastic as ever

[@paulspickernell6875]

Great stuff Darren, thanks for that.

[@andrewmatley7688]

great part one mate loved it.

[@lainydepp]

Absolutely brilliant. Loved that 😮😊❤

[@nigelbarker4135]

Another fantastic interesting and educational blog darren😀👍👏👏👏👏👏😆. Can’t wait for the other episodes. I hope that you’ve also had access to the goits and tunnels under the current excavations at Leeds station to complement your other work done down there🤞

[@octopus680]

I enjoyed every minute Darren, many stories about these tunnels back in the 70s and 80s when i was at school as it was not far away, Devil Worship was the most circulated story and there was more access back then.

[@WmDavidHarrison]

Fascinating! Excellent vlog.

[@owencarlstrand1945]

Taken a narrow boat through in both directions. You stop at two of the adits to report your progress. You have a CRT chaperone with you and it takes about one and half hours to get through depending on your level of helmsman competence. It. Great experience.

[@suesmith4366]

Great Darren can’t wait for the next part. 😎

[@fatlad5090]

brilliant video daz. What a place that is

[@McMieke]

Brilliant - thank you

[@garethparr9482]

Great video. Loved Martin zeros trip down there as well. Eerily fascinating those tunnels and you cannot help but marvel at what those guys did so so long ago with pick shovels and gunpowder health n safety would have been non existent. They must have been hard as nails!

[@yorkie2789]

Great video Darren, interesting stuff, can't wait for part 2.

[@layneinchains848]

Brilliant as always 👍

[@cassieslade8633]

Absolutely amazing thank u for showing us that

[@MrSteveFurness-Lappin]

Really interesting perspective on some incredible engineering thank you

[@andrewthorpe9665]

Fantastic Darren - thanks. Can't wait for part 2. As a local... you don't pronounce the first 'D' in StanDedge..... it's just 'Stan-edge' phonetically !

[@darleytransportandtravel6353]

To have this privilege of being allowed to enter these tunnels must be brilliant! Before the single tunnels were gated there are so many stories of people walking in and through (including myself) trespassing.

[@swanteal2355]

Very interesting and I really enjoyed it. Love the old turnal, dark 🌑 and the light at the other end , and canals all at same place too. Thank you for showing the train passing by, other side of the tunnel. Great video.😊🚝⭐

[@sarahkellett4926]

Looking forward to part 2

[@dawndoesnails]

Hey there I absolutely love your videos and I was wondering if there are tunnels still under Liverpool cathedral? I was on their grounds a few years ago and they’re truly beautiful. It would be beyond amazing to see what’s below it!!! Liverpool has my heart and the cathedral is such a gorgeous location, so interesting and also sad to read the tombs in the churchyard there loads of people buried from a virus outbreak in Victorian times. I remember seeing the entrance to massive tunnels under there and I can’t remember if all were blocked off. Super interesting! Another great video, thank you

[@David-R-Hall]

Good to have you back Darren and great video to return with, thanks. I often walk the dogs at the Diggle end parking near the portal and walking along the canal. By the way, ‘Intercross’ is indeed a word according to the Collins dictionary, I checked! 😅

[@AdventureMe]

Phew. I'm not going scenile

[@David-R-Hall]

@@AdventureMe definitely not 😉

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

​@@AdventureMe No but yer spelin is!!

[@Greenfieldsgaugemodelrailway]

Brilliant and just around the corner from my house.

[@1982metoyou]

Absolutely loved it ❤

[@christinehodge3608]

Interesting video, Tunnels and things,

[@sarahcrowther6267]

Wow, i live in Mossley and have walked nearby to these, such a shame they cannot be used but glad they are kept in good condition which i believe is more than one can say about the disused Woodhead tunnels. Looking forward to part 2, thank you Darren.😀🐾🐾🐾🐾

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

Thought they're full of National Grid high voltage cables.

[@littlemissy2883]

You can go to the thurgoland tunnels on the woodhead line, you can walk through one of the tunnels or cycle

[@roberte5303]

Another great video

[@ronnievenhorst9873]

Very nice video

[@dianeshepherd7913]

Thanks for the video these tunnels are always so spooky, i bet it could tell a tale or two !! Oh ghost trains now that would be a sight to see !😊

[@nathan83699]

Lovely video Darren

[@Dan23_7]

Tunnels and arches 😍 The brickwork was stunning, brilliant workmanship and built to last. What was the thing on the side of the adit at 14:03 ? That rush of wind was an excellent capture, plenum then vacuum I guess. Thanks Darren 👌🏼

[@OutandAboutWithDavid]

1:55 Where was Francis Bourgeois? 5:00 You got your own hard hat or you put a sticker on the they gave you? 6:45 Or ghost hunting. Ghost trains, you never know. 18:25 Brilliant timing. Thank you Darren.

[@AdventureMe]

My own hat lol

[@davidnm21]

Fascinating video on the history of these famous tunnels Darren well done. I always knew about those addits that interconnect the other tunnels including the canal tunnel. As a former Network Rail employee I’m so please they keep these closed tunnels well maintained. Interestingly there is a KZbin video that journeys through the canal tunnel in real-time and it’s some journey. It’s by “Foxes Afloat” and is well worth a watch. I look forward to part 2 in this series Darren.

[@dliles773]

Thank you

[@rmun386]

That was really interesting.

[@michaelmiller641]

Wow! That was fascinating, Darren thanks for that. How often do narrow boats use the tunnel? It's gated I see.

[@AdventureMe]

Quite often in the summer. Sometimes there's a queue.

[@kathrynthomas6138]

Love this!❤

[@raccabird8889]

Awesome

[@AdventureMe]

You were quick watching that lol. Only released 6 mins ago and it's 21 minutes long haha

[@raccabird8889]

@@AdventureMe lol mate 😊 what I do is like it and moment on my phone watch it on my smart tv plus I had my phone in my hand when you posted video lol

[@rachelwalker7091]

Loved this. Especially the train going past. The canal tunnel looks really narrow. Looking forward to the next one.

[@JippyYates]

The canal tunnel was the original tunnel started in 1796. Took 17 years to complete. The first rail tunnel was built when rail was taking over the transportation of goods from the canals. The canal tunnel was used to remove the spoil. A second parallel tunnel was soon built so traffic could go both ways simultaneously. The current live train tunnel has two tracks in it.

[@mikeswift6713]

Love your videos, watched them since we got a Smart TV with You Tube a few years ago. A couple of points, although its spelt Standedge as a Colne Valley lad with a Slaithwaite dad, it’s pronounced Slawit by locals, the d is silent, like the P in bath, so it’s Stanedge. Also Diggle is and always will be in the Ceremonial County of the West Riding of Yorkshire, Ted Heath can’t remove a thousand years of history.

[@PikeT9]

From ghost trains to ghost train tunnels 😂. Joking cool video mate 👍

[@robertmaitland09]

Excellent, hope you do over the top and include Redbrook engine house and the capped shaft nearby.

[@tomgirldouble3249]

Thanks for doing this for me, total claustrophobe 😊

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

Fantastic video of incredible feats of 19C engineering side-by-side. Both disused rail tunnels look in very good condition, and in size are in marked contrast to the constricted space of the much earlier canal tunnel. It's an amazing place, but very easy to forget the effort and lives involved driving those tunnels for 3 miles plus. Has any consideration been given to opening-up one of the two disused tunnels for hikers and bikers - the newer (outermost) one for instance?

[@AdventureMe]

No. No plans for anything

[@xr6lad]

At a guess they still maintain those tunnels. At least the guttering as it’s perfectly clean without any silt or stone run off. So those have been cleaned out.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes they do. Maintenance check whilst I was filming

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

You lucky Pheasant Plucker. Thank you so much.

[@lynnballington8467]

Hello Darren how are you love your videos I always find them very interested you are alswome best wishes take care stay safe xx ❤😅😅

[@dieselbushcraft1299]

What a fantastic adventure to have access to the tunnels. Just out of interest the trains obviously push the air through so you got the air rushing past you. After the train has passed do you get air flow in the opposite direction?

[@AdventureMe]

No. The air just stopped

[@BNCowell]

Intercross - love it!!! 😂

[@AdventureMe]

I make some serious crap words up lol Only notice when editing

[@BNCowell]

@@AdventureMe it sounded good to me! Might have to start using it 🤣

[@AdventureMe]

@@BNCowell I've copyrighted it. Haha

[@BNCowell]

@@AdventureMe 🤣 damn. Don't want to be paying royalties...

[@number6ix929]

Did your head torch die on you? I noticed you swapped to a different one some time through the video. Very interesting these videos are too, thanks for all your hard work!

[@AdventureMe]

No, same one throughout.

[@wideyxyz2271]

❤ us local lads don't pronounce the D. Great Video!

[@kevinparkin5438]

Hi Darren I enjoyed the old ‘ new ‘ new ‘ old confusing tunnels but when is part two coming also I think I noticed a shape of a old building between the two tunnels was there something there and if so do you know what it was ? Looking forward to next one

[@AdventureMe]

Just a store building I think

[@jamesjohnston9671]

When are you going to put a video up of Sunbridgewells in bradford ?

[@AdventureMe]

When they let me in

[@robertburr2212]

Darren id love to explore a tunnel with you! ❤