How deep is this Railway Tunnel Ventilation Shaft

In this video we go onto the Pennines to look at a railway tunnel ventilation shaft. I do a rough calculation to see how deep the shaft is. This is a railway tunnel ventilation shaft for the standedge railway and canal tunnels. This is an urban exploration video urbex. We are in Saddleworth in the Pennine hills. Its a great example of railway architecture and the efforts of the workers around the time of the Industrial revolution. A great look back in History. #railwayhistory #railwayarchitecture #canalsandrailways

[@PhilPage227]

Imagine that canal air shaft being hand dug and lined with brick 200 years ago. Superb video.

[@MartinZero]

Yes incredible stuff. Plus the workers being lowered down probably in some kind of basket. Scary !!! Thanks Philip

[@KrotowX]

Proper brickwork seems very sturdy. 150+ meters high brick tube with half-meter thick walls stay exposed to elements for 200 years like nothing was happened. I'm curious how shaft brick tubes are fixed in place to avoid them sliding down into tunnel. They are enormously heavy after all.

[@lfewell2161]

@@KrotowX Could it be that they are smaller at the bottom and the taper holds them in place? Just a guess, but that is a very good question.

[@KrotowX]

@@lfewell2161 I have no blueprints of these tubes. However most likely they are designed like modern concrete with steel armature. Only in crude way - made from brick and crossbars. Crossbars fixed in horizontal holes made into tube walls and brick layers are put between them. Then tube weight become equally divided between crossbar sections.

It seems that everyone who posted comments on this thread have some working knowledge of tunnel construction; there are PLENTY of books on this subject!! One question here was about how the horizontal bricks in a vertical shaft stay in place; they join the main tunnel right in the 'crown' (the CURVED tunnel ceiling) and, since the diameter of the shafts is smaller than the main tunnel, the bricks would then be SHAPED, either by cutting, or shaving off certain surfaces (the 'tapering' I read in this thread). If one were to view any one of these shafts from their bottoms, one would see how the bricks very smoothly transition off from the main tunnel into the shaft. NOW, THAT'S SOME DAMN GOOD BRICKWORK!!!!

[@johnnaylor5001]

What a fascinating video- I’m also interested in tunnels and air shafts. I think the open shaft in your video is known as Flint Pit New Shaft- sunk at the same time as the double track rail tunnel below. It is 497ft deep to track level- so yes deep enough to accommodate Blackpool Tower! The shaft further down with the concrete cap and grating is Flint Pit Old Shaft 454ft deep- sunk during the construction of the canal tunnel. I’ve seen down the Redbrook shafts further along the tunnel and the depth and noise from all the water cascading down deep within is quite intimidating! You can also hear the trains rush past and all the up draught they create - even at that depth below the moors.

[@MartinZero]

John can you message me on Facebook, Martin Zero ?

[@michaelgamble296]

@ Yes, that's the method used when they built the Great Central Railway. It seems Navvies were lowered down the air shafts to dig towards other air shafts . . .

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

Fascinating! As a Bricky I look down there and think “bloody hell there are a few brick in that “! Great video 🧱👍🏼

[@rcas350pilot8]

True Story. I'm from New York State originally. A friend and civil engineer took me to see a ventilation shaft near Shandaken, N.Y. On the drive to the shaft he told me at the bottom is a aqueduct that flows water from the reservoirs upstate to New York City. He did not say much about the shaft except you could not fall into it because it had a heavy metal grate over the opening. We parked the car along a paved road and hiked up a dirt road for about a quarter mile. The area was heavily treed and then I noticed a small fence around an area about 20 feet square. There was a sign on the fence that said Danger New York City Water System Keep Out. There it was, the grate over the opening. The first thing I noticed was how large an area the grate was. My friend Jimmy was a few steps ahead of me and I saw him looking down the shaft. He said you can see a long ways down there today. A second later I was looking down the shaft myself. I was amazed at the size, it was about 15 feet in diameter. If you could pick up a car by either end it would easily fit down the shaft. I can still see it in my mind as I type this. I could easily see straight down about 200 feet before it just disappeared into darkness. Of course the next thing was to drop a small rock as it could fit through the openings in the grate. Found a small rock and let it go close to the edge. I was not going to walk out onto the grate. The rock plunged down and you could hear it pinging off the concrete sides of the shaft. But after several seconds we did not hear the rock hit the bottom. This seemed odd and after about 10 more seconds the rock finally hit bottom. BTW there was no water flowing that day. I looked over at Jimmy and he had a smile on his face and said that's a long ways down there. All Jimmy knew is that it was hundreds of feet deep. That was pretty obvious by how long the rock took to hit bottom. Years later I was still wondering about the depth. After some searching online I learned that the aqueduct is called the Shandaken Tunnel and it is one of several tunnels delivering water to NYC. The article claims the ventilation shafts are and average of 647 feet deep. I have seen and done a lot of things in my life but never ever stood at the edge of big very deep shaft like that. I can still see it vividly in my mind to this day.

[@MartinZero]

Wow thats incredible. When you stand on the edge of one of those shafts its very scary, looking at certain death 👍

[@adamdnewman]

Watching your video from later when you go in the tunnels combined with this blows my mine er mind

[@andrewgerrard2272]

Hi Martin, as a new subscriber and a manchester lad myself, [bury] i''d just like to say how much i enjoy your videos. the east lancs railway is on my doorstep and the video you did was spot on. just going to listen to unknown pleasures !

[@MartinZero]

Hi Andrew many thanks. I love the ELR also. When you get to New Dawn Fades, turn it up 👍

[@bokhans]

Sitting in Sweden and watching a 5 year old railway video that must be one of the nerdiest so far. Love it! ❤

I noticed a doorway in both of those tunnels. The first one led onto the platform, but the second one led to nothing! But, it would suggest that there probably was a a similar platform there at one time.

[@Mehrunes86]

Uff, imagine coming to inspect the shaft, opens the door, only to find the dark abyss.

[@wladniem]

Hats off to the brickies, and to you two. Great film.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks and yes Hats off to the folk that had to go down that shaft

And, unlike so many tunnel construction workers TODAY, hats off to these in history who've completed the project ON TIME AND UNDER BUDGET!!!!

[@huntjk1]

Hi Martin great videos I worked for an access company so I have been in most railway tunnels in the country and up and down the shaft including standedge and I have been through that metal door you have shown and yes it goes straight down Keep the videos coming

[@calvinthedestroyer]

Did the other shaft have a platform too at one time? What does the bottom of the shafts look like? Thanks

[@philipjones8513]

Recent subscriber. Love your videos and I've told a bunch of people about how quality they are.

[@MartinZero]

Hi Phillip thank you very much. I really appreciate your support mate 👍

[@terryansell6641]

Hi Martin your videos just keep getting better and better thank you from New Zealand

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Terry much appreciated

[@thomash2806]

Where’s Fred Dibnah when you need him, eh?

[@richardfletcher8719]

I share your fascination. Fab video, really enjoyed it, thanks.

[@Eddiecurrent2000]

I've a fascination about tunnels and their air shafts, I thought I was odd, now I think I'm normal!

[@rollmops3113]

Haha! I also thought I was odd for my underground tunnel and drain obsession, but now I realize I'm not alone at all! 😊

[@itsmememe3489]

Eddiecurrent2000 me too 😊😊😊

[@Lickylongtym]

Excellent video. I live near vent shafts for what was the longest underground train tunnel at its time. This also runs along side the Manchester canal. I also had a old local area/district map which stated the canals locks and heights above sea level, the entrance, vents and depth of each one for the summit/walsden train tunnel. I was and still am fascinated but “ignorant” I must be NEVER even considered the depth of the same type of vents for such tunnels on the canal system. Watching this video you guys taught me something I did not know or considered existed. Thanks to you both. 👍

[@kennethainsworth1716]

Another good video Martin. 450 feet is a fair drop down a vertical shaft, especially when they are hand-dug. The 2 shafts are for the 2 double track railway tunnels which run below, 1 for each.1 double-track tunnel has been in disuse for a long time, '60's, the other is the mainline from Manchester to Huddersfield. The double tracks start at Stalybridge where 3 rail routes meet, (different train companies back in the day), and then split into 2 routes - one on each side of valley to Diggle through Mossley and Greenfield. As you know, the canal has a towpath, canal boats were towed along by horses. There is no towpath through the tunnel, the canalboats were "legged" through the tunnel and the horses walked over the moorsto Marsden from Diggle and vice versa. Maybe there are still some remnants of the moorland path the horses would have been taken. Query - did you determine what the old stone building was that you found on your other visit to Standedge ventilation shafts? I reckon it was a winch-house for bringing out the rubble when building the vent. shafts. Did you notice the great big pile of stone rubble between the 2 shafts, well thats from the digging of the shafts. If those shafts are about 20 feet diameter and 450 deep, then the amount of rubble from each shaft is approximately 5500 Cubic Yards for each shaft. A lot of digging with pickaxe and shovels. Another point of interest is on the gates to the canal tunnel beside the railway tracks, the silohuette is showing how the leggers used to walk the canalboat through the tunnel. You need strong legs for that job. Keep them coming Martin.

[@juleshathaway3894]

There are three railway tunnels at Standedge, two single track and one for double track. The first single bore was completed in 1848, the second in 1871 and were closed in 1966 and 1970 respectively. The double track tunnel was opened in 1894 and is still in use today.

[@kennethainsworth1716]

@@juleshathaway3894 - Thanks for the correction Jules, its a while since I've been up there, I thought it was 2 double track tunnels. Have a good weekend.

[@juleshathaway3894]

@@kennethainsworth1716 Thanks Kenneth, you too. Have a look here www.forgottenrelics.co.uk/tunnels/standedge.html it is very interesting with some great photos inside the tunnels. To Martin Zero, this link includes a table of all the vent shafts with names, dimentions and depths. Cheers all.

[@brianartillery]

It's a good thing that the inspection door on the bigger vent is bricked up - the thought of it being open, and someone going in there, thinking it's shelter, but finding only a void about 500ft. deep on the other side, is simply horrific to contemplate. A great, fascinsting video. Nice one.

[@MartinZero]

Scary thought. Thanks Brian

[@munromark1400]

So brave. I got queezy just looking.

[@Magdalena76h]

I am always fascinated by the history around the corner, under our feet, on the hill or down that valley... living in London was amazing for someone who grew up in Australia, and now that I live in Stoke-on-Trent it is a different local history! I really enjoy your curiosity which drives you to find answers to your questions! It is amazing just what the engineers of yesteryear achieved! Thank you for taking the time to follow up on your previous video - I did wonderful myself!

[@MartinZero]

Thank you, we obviously share an interest 👍

[@Magdalena76h]

@@MartinZero , clearly! Not only am I all about the local history, I have family connections in Bolton where my grandfather was born!

[@Lyraeone]

No idea how I got here but suprisingly interesting for a change. Keep up the work!

[@MartinZero]

Thank you

[@HenrysAdventures]

Brillaint video! Love the ladder!

[@philld1201]

There were 8 shafts constructed, two are rather cunningly hidden within a stone building. The deepest shaft is 561ft to rail level. There was also a waterfall ventilation system within the tunnel to help clear the smoke. There is a shaft that used to have a metal door that helped control the flow of air within the tunnel. The water came from Redbrook reservoir' The effect of this water falling hundreds of feet down the shaft created a tremendous down draft, this down draft then drove the smoke away through another nearby shaft. The swivel door that controlled the air flow is missing these days. The water drains off into the canal tunnel below.

[@MartinZero]

Hello Phill, thanks for the info. I filmed inside Redbrook Engine house and filmed those shafts, Its in a video on here. Great piece of engineering

[@davidclark3603]

Absolutely fantastic! Very interesting. I’ve always wanted to see down those shafts! Thanks for the video Martin!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks David

[@mitchelledwards8710]

Another interesting Video mate better than anything on the TV at the moment

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Mitchell 👍

[@philbrennan3342]

Hi Martin - I am originally from Saddleworth - my Dad used to say Saddleworth is the only place you can get a 90 mph fog! - You got away lightly with a bit of drizzle! - A great review though - much appreciated. What has always fascinated me are the interconnecting 'adits' which exist between the several rail tunnels & the canal (which was used for the multiple rail tunnel excavation waste material to be removed) - oh to visit these....

[@MartinZero]

Did you see my Standedge tunnel video Phil ?

[@mercyfulrelease4323]

Great video - we walk past these shafts very often (live in Marsden), its really interesting to now know what they are like inside. However, I did get a horrible feeling of vertigo even sat in the office watching on a computer!!

[@MartinZero]

A devil in a black dress watches over

[@willsmith1595]

I walked through one of the tunnels with my dad over 10 years ago, when you get to the middle you can look up the shaft it’s a good walk

[@itsmememe3489]

Legs got the collywobbles looking down that shaft 😱

[@richcampoverde]

2 vids in one week! Did someone peek at my Christmas wish list

[@MartinZero]

😆I had this one sitting on my computer so I tied up some loose ends. Next one might be a week away

[@richcampoverde]

@@MartinZero looking forward to it 😊 did you ever find out what that ruined engine house was used for

[@MartinZero]

@@richcampoverde I am on it, I now have a good information source the research is in progress 👍😃

[@richcampoverde]

@@MartinZero good lad keep up the good work😊 btw did you notice the cannabis plants growing in the first shaft?🤣

[@MartinZero]

@@richcampoverde I saw plants, not sure what they were

[@Curiosityuk]

Holy Hell, that is some depth Martin. Great video as always.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much. Yep its frightening

[@TermaTube]

Driven past those vents many time but never took the time to explore them as it was always flippin freezing, keep it up Martin.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you. You can actually park quite near them. You should go look 😀

[@koxy333]

Great videos, really enjoy watching these after a hard day at work! Thanks!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks a lot Shaun 👍

[@DoctorZomboo]

Love it Martin. I grew up nearby in Marsden and then Meltham and used to walk up Pule Hill often. Always fascinated by these vents

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Richard

[@neilaspin89]

Another great video Martin and I can highly recommend a trip through the canal tunnel if you have not already done so.

[@MartinZero]

I'd love to Neil. And Thank you 👍

[@RichDavey]

Fantastic video! Well done chaps! You cannot imagine the hard labour involved in creating these wonders 👍👍

[@GhostTheory]

Niceee, interesting video, love an exploration into a tunnel. Subbed and checking all your work out.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks for subscribing much appreciated

[@harrowtiger]

A great video of the air shafts, thankyou. Flying into Manchester in Nov 2019 for Christmas with the family and will go through the two long rail tunnels outside Sheffield on the train line to Sheffield from Manchester Airport. Might see you two intrepid historians looking down air shafts from above as we speed towards Sheffield Station.

[@clyth41]

What an absolutely fantastic channel this is I've been looking for something like this for ages particularly around the Manchester area, as I am originally from Manchester and my grandfather and my mum was born in Salford Eccles, so I consider myself half Mancunian.... Great channel mate.... Keep up the fab work.

[@MartinZero]

Hi Colin, thank you very much 👍👍

[@GeraldineJayne]

Like a piece to a larger puzzle...investigating mysteries others can't. Great video Martin!!! I don't feel as bad now, with my fear of heights, lol!!!

[@MartinZero]

My fear of heights is acute. Yes I think I have more info and will be adding more pieces to the puzzle 😃

[@Steven_Rowe]

Truly fascinating. I love this type of thing. Tunnels are so interesting? I can see a drone coming in handy for some of your work. Imagine the brickies who did the work? No O H & S then.

[@pauldevey8628]

Great video. Thank you for all your efforts in putting these videos together. Paul

[@MartinZero]

No Problem its interesting so I enjoy it

[@pauldevey8628]

One of my kids is considering Uni at York. I may get to Manchester next August!@@MartinZero

[@MartinZero]

@@pauldevey8628 Great stuff, give us a shout

[@adrianford2336]

What an interesting video never thought a ventilation shaft could be so fascinating its amazing how deep they are the amount of bricks used to line it.

[@MartinZero]

Scary those shafts

[@jbbkr]

Love the channel! I have a strange fascination to see this kind of stuff too. Thanks for the videos

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Josh

[@HelenaMikas]

Absolutely blooming brilliant .Well done and not a place you want to drop in * Well done both of you ...

[@MartinZero]

Hello Helena, hope all is well. Yes thank you terrifying drop but so interesting 👍

[@carlhenshall5604]

What a top ladder that is martin. Iv'e never seen one of them before Great deep explore too. Thank you and Goodnight ;)

[@MartinZero]

Cheers pal. I highly recommend that ladder

[@garywarden9231]

That looks like a beautiful part of the world even in the rain. Next holiday I think

[@msoddsoxsox974]

Great effort Guys, brilliant vid, and what an amazing bit of engineering, the work that must have gone into that! I visited a aqueduct & viaduct in Cornwall called Treffry only took 3 years to build and its huge! I can't imagine anything being built these days and still be standing the same length of time.

[@MartinZero]

Yeah its staggering when you think of the effort involved. Like already has been said imagine just getting the bricks out there

[@gilgammesh1]

That's the stuff of nightmares. Very creepy. Couldn't imagine falling into that.

[@MartinZero]

I know, very scary

[@WakoJacKooo]

agreed 1st thing i thought ,, like a alice in wonderland rabbit hole :O

[@MK-jo1gi]

@@WakoJacKooo Except falling down there doesn't end up with you attenting a tea party, I fear. XD

[@TheErilaz]

Those towers or what they are called once had access doors, there are bricked up holes in the sides.

[@KrotowX]

@@WakoJacKooo Except soft landing near bottle with label "Drink me" your life will subtly end with a muffled splash.

[@colinthegeordiehistorian10]

Just found your videos a couple of days ago Martin. Loving them you are doing a good job. Thanks from a Geordie near Newcastle

[@MartinZero]

Hello Colin thanks very much for watching. Love Newcastle great place. 👍

[@ww2wendal34]

Nice one Martin. Love these old railway spots. We've a few of those vents near us. We uploaded photos on our Facebook page a while back if your interested.

[@MartinZero]

Ahh never knew you had a FB page I'll go look now. Great stuff 👍

[@georgebrown3359]

I have been to these vent shafts and the Standedge Tunnel in August 2018. I used the GPS on my iPhone to calculate the height at the Marden (canal) portal and at vent level and if memory serves it was approx 510 feet. Amazing cutting job considering they were cut by hand. And then there were the canal leggers!

[@MartinZero]

Scary depths aren’t they

[@michaelgamble296]

Good! You got a collapsible ladder! Those are good for getting over tall gates at Tunnel entrances. What you must also get is a ladder 'Stand-off' which allows for support away from the shaft brick-work in order to climb right to the top rung. Very useful - they're attached and held in place by spring clips.

[@craigwarby2188]

Terrifying just looking over the edge of that tunnel and knowing it was a straight 450ft drop down 😱

[@imagesrandom1918]

Fascinating mate. Absolutely fascinating 👍

[@MartinZero]

😃👍

[@peterdunning2952]

just found your channel and subscribed-all excellent videos. those ventilation shafts were built similar to colliery mine shafts,some of which were up to 900 YARDS DEEP ! and many lined in brick or stone.Those "sinkers" were braver men than me! !

[@MartinZero]

Hello Peter yes I always forget about the mineshafts, awesome stuff. Very brave men. Thanks for commenting and subscribing Petee always appreciated 👍

[@Nathan.Manchester]

Another great and interesting video-great scenery -keep up the good work 👍

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much mate 👍

[@manisally]

Fantastic video Martin very brave of you both you can imagine those vents being built in those freezing moorland conditions.

[@MartinZero]

One can only imagine David !

[@torque350hp]

That first shaft looks narrower like there was some ground the wall was built on. The second one has walls goin straight down. Just being on the ladder leaning on the wall, the thought of it is more terrifying then watching a thriller and watching you guys climb it... I knew this one was going to be different to the first one and I was clenching my jaw thinking the other side of that wall was just going to be void. When the camera peered over, oooooh boy. You start thinking about things, like I want my feet on solid ground. Great video.

[@MartinZero]

Ha I totally agree its terrifying and thank you 😆

[@martinstevenson7462]

What a very interesting video Martin it must have been very very hard work making them vents very clever the victorians keep up the great work Martin.

[@stationhouse5866]

Wow. What a video.👍 Years ago we used to have a brickie called Stan that worked for us. He was a 75yr old Yourkshire man. Flat cap etc. I'm going back 26 yrs. I can remember him telling me in his earlier years he was lowered down the ventilation shafts to point up the brickwork . He would of been around 100 now.

[@MartinZero]

Bloody hell that must have been terrifying

[@keith800]

Great one Martin , amazing how they construct these brick shafts , I would have thought you would try to fly a drone down them .

[@justmadeit2]

Great video once again and great channel. That telescopic ladder is cool too

[@MartinZero]

Yeah its good that ladder. Problem is at full extension it gets a bit bendy and creaky 😃

[@justmadeit2]

@@MartinZero 😁

[@johndean4998]

The Georgians and Victorians initially built these shafts to enable them to align canal and railway tunnels better and dig them out faster, and they were then converted into ventilation shafts in the final stages of tunnel construction. The line of the tunnel was marked out along the hill above, shafts were then dug down to the floor level of the tunnel below, and then the tunnel proper could be dug out in both directions from the base of each shaft in several locations simultaneously; in theory, all the shaft base diggings plus the excavations from each end would meet up in near perfect alignment, although Braunston Canal Tunnel has a kink in it which can be awkward to negotiate if you're unlucky enough to meet a boat coming in the opposite direction at exactly that spot! Modern tunnel boring machines simply excavate from each end and the spoil is removed using conveyor belts and temporary railway tracks extending back to the tunnel mouth (although I believe some long tunnels like the Channel Tunnel and Crossrail used wide bore vertical shafts to provide ventilation and to lower equipment and workers to the tunnel workings below).

[@MartinZero]

Cheers John. See my video on the actual tunnels

[@lillianrobins84]

So interesting and an amazing video blog !!

[@MartinZero]

Thank you

[@syborgbabe2788]

I’m loving your films!! I think I’m gonna cancel my sky subscription cause all I need to watch is Martin Zero! Can’t wait for the next one!

[@MartinZero]

Thank you very much Mr Syborg Babe. 😀I am very flattered 👍🏼

[@ianr]

Brilliant video again Martin. Check out Cowburn tunnel between Chinley and Edale. It has a single air shaft on the moors at Colborne above Edale which is 900 feet deep, has a square castellated stone wall round the shaft.

[@MartinZero]

Blooming hell !!! Thats a monster shaft

[@jamesinbolton]

The shaft in cowburn is just as impressive from the tunnel. It runs down to a huge chamber at the side of the track which I believe some of my former colleagues referred to as the "Cathedral". Quite a sight watching the waterfall in there at 4am. Mind boggling drop down it though.

[@daveconyard8946]

Mate you are a gem love it , nice one

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Dave 😀

[@joanhesketh9419]

Brilliant again Martin.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Joan 😀

[@oswaldthree]

LOVE your work, guys!! Do you ever search/find old company construction plans in libraries/museums detailing these feats of engineering? Also, searching the old Newspapers (many online now) for stories of their marvelous construction? (and probably mentions of worker deaths :(( RjB

[@valerielongmore5040]

I always wanted to know too so cheers my curiosity is satisfied, quite stunning the engineering and construction issues, just fascinating.

[@dalehorne9815]

Another great video. Keep up the good work.. 😀

[@MartinZero]

Hi Dale, and thank you 👍

[@learningto-ir8no]

Great video once agen. I like these little adventures 👍🐝

[@MartinZero]

Hi Kyle, thanks a lot mate 👍

[@tomhiggins4124]

Wow, thats scary deep !!!!! ,what a feet of old school workmanship ,the best 👌 !!!!!! Respect to them men .

[@pauloneill9965]

Amazes me the brick work that goes into these structures that no gets see unless ur connected to them. Intresting cool little video👍☘🇮🇪

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Paul. Yep all that craftsmanship all the way down that shaft

[@markmatthews7401]

CURIOSITY well it had to be Done otherwise you'd have many a sleepless night wondering. WELL DONE.

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Mark 😀👍

[@paulgrimshaw6301]

Did I read a comment somewhere that you'd found out the purpose of the flooded shaft? After reading some of the descriptions about how the tunnel was made, I wonder whether this was a balance shaft for a water engine used to lift spoil out of the main shaft. A rope passed over headgear from the main shaft to the balance shaft where it was connected to counterweight. This was weighted by filling with water to cause it to descend the balance shaft, which could also explain the purpose of the artificial stream running down towards this shaft. The balance shaft only needed to be a fraction of the depth of the main shaft as pulley gearing was used to reduce the travel of the counterweight. An adit was dug running away from the bottom of the balance shaft to drain it, but this could have been blocked resulting in the shaft being flooded.

[@MartinZero]

I think the flooded shaft was an abandoned construction shaft

[@paulgrimshaw6301]

I thought that as well, but then if you compare with the line of the canal tunnel on a satellite view you find that the flooded shaft is around 8m away.

[@jason80892]

Loved the video mate, very interesting. You make mundane items come alive. I would love to see a video on my home town of eccles there is loads of history.

[@MartinZero]

Hi Jason. Thanks very much. I bet there is loads of stuff, I just dont know the area that well. Any ideas ?

[@jason80892]

@@MartinZero well there is the the auqaduct that was in the tast of honey and Barton swing bridge. Also the textile mills and the nasmyth hammer. Also known for eccles cakes and Barton airport originally Manchester airport. Also I think there is a fogotton grave yard at the top of church street if I remember rightly. And the old site of the talk of the north. And the old monk house. If you need a guide I would be happy to show you some interesting stuff.

[@MartinZero]

@@jason80892 Yep there is a lot actually. That would be good

[@jason80892]

@@MartinZero I am sure there is more. I know the talk of the north was massive with all the stars. And there is also the bridge water canal that turns yellow due to the mines in worsley. There is also the old railway paths. I not an expert on the history but I know a few things.

[@MartinZero]

@@jason80892 Yeah Worsley as well

[@georgegunn9387]

Excellent video...the navvies who built that certainly earned their money "back in the day".

The equivalent of SIXTY CENTS PER HOUR!!

[@christopherwhittaker3768]

Ace. And wow that is a deep tunnel. My stomach turned when you got the shot looking into it or when Paul got the shot. I'm surprised it's not got a mesh over it as if you fell into that you'd be goosed. I thought it was bloody good thinking to use the sat nav to get a good approximation of the tunnels depth. And mate we've all got a kink or a fetish ( allegedly ) you've got a tunnel fetish 😂😂 I've heard of stranger things. Good effort you guys. Keep it up. 👍👍 And I've got the bee gees in my head now " how deep is your shaft " nice one.😳

[@MartinZero]

Am surprised it hasnt got a metal grill in like the other vent. Hard to fall in as its so tall. I definitely have a Tunnel fetish 😆

[@keitholdbean3173]

I live in Marsden about a mile from the Air vents , some of the vents were used to hoist the rubble up from the Standege tunnel below during construction . Over the other side of the main road you can see the giant building called the winding house that contains the other shafts this was close to the stream you filmed going under the man made track , you must have seen the winding house , you cant really miss it... when we were kids you could actually get inside the winding house , inside there are two shafts side by side the diameter as the ones you filmed, ... I guessed the depth of the air vent shafts before your experiment at 500 ft .....

[@Carolb66]

Absolutely mind boggling! WOW the navvies were brave. RIP to all of them. ❤

[@floydskifloyd2870]

I'll just hold that ladder for you mate😂 another top Notch video brilliant great day out look forward to the next video👍👍

[@MartinZero]

Well done on getting the shot , all down to you👌

[@scopex2749]

you need a drone to send down there to film! 2:57 theres a DOOR down there so maybe a hidden super secret tunnel leading to it? I used to do a lot of photography and you can buy a SUPER LONG industrial strength - telescopic pole for go pro! You can drop a stone down and time it and wait for the splash - theres a calculation that will tell you the depth. I think I got it of flea bay or Amazon its got to be 10 feet long! The last shot of the little waterfall there is a date on that tunnel entrance!!! 187? so its OLDER than me JUST! Great vid!

[@crompton33]

Amazing to think those shafts were build by hand, and how many bricks were used in the process!........Another brilliant video.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you. Plus the poor brave souls that got lowered into them to work on them

[@BLINDEXPLORERASIFMUHAMMAD]

Very amazing video well done mate and I love listening to your videos as I am blind and I am a white cane long cane user

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much mate

[@boromickfc]

This is proper entertainment, keep it up👍

[@MartinZero]

Thank you

[@alfiehenshall688]

Great vid martin. Can you imagine all that brick laying the brickies had to do ? Its a chimney going underground ! Bet that kept them busy ! 👍

[@MartinZero]

Imagine being lowered down there in the equivalent of a basket to do the bricklaying scary

[@anneforster510]

I definitely couldn't go up that ladder either...or go deep into tunnels, thankfully I don't have to but I know a man who will (at least the tunnels) You're so tenacious Martin when you get stuck in.

[@MartinZero]

Ha, thanks Anne. No the ladder is rickety and you have to let go with one hand and wave the go pro over the top. Bit nerve wracking

[@pauloconnor2980]

Martin, have you explored the Summit Tunnel vent shafts???

[@MRPUD1]

Ekk you had the hairs standing up on my arms looking into that vent shaft . But another video with more info keep it up it keep the wife quite as she nick's me phone to watch these videos she loves them

[@MartinZero]

Great stuff, My regards to your wife she is a woman of good taste 😉👍

[@leorigby3069]

I was thinking about mentioning abseiling down there, then came the Blackpool tower comparison! don't think there is anything like this in St.Helens where I am but I'll be looking. good job

[@MartinZero]

Hi Leo. No way could I abseil down there !!! Let me know if you find anything in St Helens 👍

[@boyracer1213]

nice one martin great re-visit 👍

[@MartinZero]

Thanks mate 😀

[@gingerbread6614]

Love your different words. I’m not making fun, we have strange words or sayings. We love listening to you. Thank you

[@lewishart9698]

0:30 how nice of someone to of left a camera recording on the hill you just happen to be walking up!....Bonus footage for you! 😉😂

[@MartinZero]

😆👍

[@razzaJC]

If you ever need any drone shots hook me up, I live in Stalybridge and will be interested in helping 👍. Cool videos

[@troublespic]

great video martin i hoped to see the other bit :)

[@troublespic]

also the hook that your friend had a hold of is to attach a ladder to it and the loop over the vent is to attach a line so workers and abseil down

[@MrYfrank14]

as an American, i am surprised to hear you use feet , for a measurement. i thought we were the only ones still using it and England used meters.

[@MartinZero]

We tend to use both here. I could relate to feet because I have always known Blackpool tower is 518ft so for me it was relatable

[@TCM-dw3pz]

I still use feet and inches, I have no idea about meters, not interested.

[@passthebutterrobot2600]

British engineers work with the metric system, but British people generally still use feet & inches when describing things

[@PurityVendetta]

I work making and repairing parts for vintage British motorcycles so use inches all the time. I'm far better with thousanths of an inch than hundredths of millimetres. I find imperial easier to visualise.

[@paulgrimshaw6301]

Good idea using the satnav, but you can also tell the height fairly accurately from OS map contours. The 1:25000 map shows the canal tunnel entrance to be just above 200m, and the upper shaft ground level to be just above 350m. So that's a 150m drop, or 490 ft. I guess the additional height compared to your measurement was with the car being parked lower down the slope. Also the highest ground above the tunnel is a little further on at just over 390m - a tunnel depth of 190m or 620ft. The next highest shaft is the rectangular shaped one just down the other side at dead on 340m, so it looks like the shaft you looked at is the deepest.

[@MrYfrank14]

thanks for risking you life for us, Paul. i would have tied the go pro to the ladder and lifted the ladder up.

[@MartinZero]

I will pass on your thanks 👍