The Longest & Deepest Canal & Railway Tunnels in Britain

In this video we Urban explore Urbex the Standedge Canal and Railway tunnels. They are almost the longest and deepest Canal and Railway Tunnels in Britain. They run deep under the pennine hills in West Yorkshire. We explore the two Underground abandoned disused Railway tunnels. We also get a glimpse of the Underground Huddersfield Narrow Canal that runs deep under the Pennine hills. This is a wonderful look at the industrial past and railway architecture. They have deep shafts that are up to 500 feet deep that run down from the Pennine hills above. This is an explore of a disused railway tunnel and an underground canal. These Underground tunnels are very long and dark and scary.
Music By Martin. Sample of noise taken from a song called 'Stanlow' by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
#undergroundtunnels #disusedrailway #standedgetunnel

[@MartinZero]

The Tunnels are normally locked and not open to the Public. Now you have seen inside best stay away. I just dont want anyone getting in trouble !

[@fenso6664]

I’ve travelled through the tunnel 100s of times from Leeds to Manchester and back on the train and always wanted to see what the layout looked like inside. I’ve read a lot about it but it’s not quite the same so thank you Martin. I hope you haven’t got into any trouble as a result of this video

[@MartinZero]

@@fenso6664 Thank you very much. Ok at mo 👍

[@King786_]

@@MartinZero Who owns this place ? Great Video.

[@MartinZero]

@@King786_ Thank you. Not sure who owns it

[@DickHolman]

I've been through the canal tunnel, it's a mad bit of engineering! When they drove the rail tunnel, they dug holes & fit chutes to tip spoil straight into boats waiting below. The tunnel is also the summit reservoir, & a stream has been diverted into a circular weir inside one of the air-shafts, where it forms a circular waterfall inside the tunnel. The rail-tunnels are owned by Railtrack, & the canal by British Waterways.

[@cyberdonblue4413]

Absolutely stunning video, Martin. I drove trains for many years (retired now) and most of the time the only thing that my colleagues and I saw with any clarity were the ornate tunnel mouths, some of them castle like and very grandiose in appearance, as we approached at speed. Rarely did we have cause to stop in those tunnels but I never failed to think of the brave people who dug those masterpieces nonetheless. My admiration for them knows no bounds. Never once did I feel unsafe speeding through their creations more than hundred years after their toil and suffering to create a way through. Even on the odd occasions where we worked engineering trains into the tunnels, bringing in the maintenence equipment and waiting to take it out again, I always felt safe and sound. That is testament to the fantastic building skills of those who went before us. They could never have envisaged the speed and the weight of the trains that use those tunnels today but their work copes with those demands admirably and without any problems at all. Most of the tunnels we have now are getting on for 150 years old. You wouldn't know it though when you see the craftsmanship up close and how well it survives today. As you showed in your video, water is the biggest threat to these underground miracles. It is also only when you walk over the ground and along the tunnels that those brave men, women and children carved out for us that you realise just how cold and damp and smelly those places can be and how lucky we are to live in a more civilsed - and mechanised - age nowadays. They were all heroes. Every one of them. Keep up the great work Martin.

[@MartinZero]

Hello thanks very much for commenting. Yes I agree completely with what you say. I never felt in danger once in those tunnels. How long have you been retired, was you a diesel driver ? where were you based ?

[@cyberdonblue4413]

@@MartinZero Hi Martin, glad to see the video back up again. Unfortunately I retired about 10 years early after a series of heart attacks and a double heart bypass operation. I officially finished late 2007 but hadn't worked for some 18 months before that. I had a varied career in Birmingham and London driving AC and DC electric locos and Units as well as all kinds of diesels too (locos and Units.) My work over the years covered the railway between London and Preston [north/south] and Bristol to Cambridge & Stanstead Airport [west/east] but once privatisation came along the real enjoyment went out of the job for me. In a way I was happy to finish when I did. I miss the railways as they were, not as they are now, and I miss the good times I enjoyed with some great colleagues.

[@f2.8vidz4]

Cyberdon Blue s

[@AlanCanon2222]

Couldn't agree with you more on the safety one feels in tried-and-true old (getting to be ancient) works of civil engineering. One thing that occurs to me is that those 19th century engineers were more than mathematically savvy to understand probability and statistics regarding construction techniques and likely accident rates. As a caver who knows something of the work of falling groundwater, I agree that water is the greatest enemy, long term, of these works, but even then the engineers had it in mind: the railway tunnels are built with a natural drain, the canal tunnel, which is nothing if not a purpose built drain. Towards the end of the video, Martin marks an especially low area which he allows as might be a sump to drain water away from the machines.... these titans of British Isle engineering could have provided for the water to be drained to the canal, or have erected dewatering steam pumps at the tops, and down the sides, of the shafts. At any rate, it is clear that the management of ground water against the whole edifice received material consideration. H. G. Wells, writing in his novel The War of the Worlds, says “By the toll of a billion deaths man has bought his birthright of the earth, and it is his against all comers; it would still be his were the Martians ten times as mighty as they are. For neither do men live nor die in vain.” Substitute the forces of nature, and of human engineering folly, for the Martians, and Wells could be speaking of the fortitude of British civil engineering.

[@ceeceety2320]

@@cyberdonblue4413 My wife and I both read and enjoyed your comments so much! I hope our comment finds you in good health today. We just love the history of our great nation here in the US and yours as well. Yes, things are changing fast and we find it sad that the youngsters of today are all buried in their phones and not experiencing what's actually happening around them. Hope you're enjoying your retirement! Peace!

[@redwagon1967]

This is cool! Never thought I’d spend forty minutes watching hundreds of years old tunnels in a country I don’t even live in but this was amazing.... greetings from the USA!

[@Paulkjoss]

...I second that... from New Zealand!

[@m9saville]

It sort of puts it in perspective that when they first started building the canal tunnel George Washington was president of America.

[@vanzi2834]

Great show!! Mate from Jacksonville Florida

[@dannycarter1966]

They were built solidly. The Summit tunnel fire nearby did little damage other than to vitrify the brick lining!

[@mrswinklesniff]

Hi Martin, When you were walking through the Stanage tunnel, a cold chill went through me. Remembering walking very briskly out of the Summit Tunnel in 1984 Dec the 20th. When we had the petrol railway tankers on fire. I was the last Fireman out of the West Yorkshire and my Station Officer asked me to look after the brigade photographer Brian who was with me, it was pitch dark our poor torches where fading and we were tripping up on the sleepers. I decided to leave my BA set behind as I knew if that fire chased us the set would not have helped me. I could talk for ages about that job. We where very lucky to see christmas. I am glad you had a good time. Cheers, now well an truly retired. Paul.

[@gmr1241]

Wow. What a lucky escape! Didn't BTP end up 'guarding' the tunnel entrances afterwards?

[@sheilabray1620]

My dad was a member of the Marsden fire brigade around that time. I remember doing the bed pushes, Marsden built a miniature fire engine based on the white Dennis fire engine.

[@keithwebster5161]

When the Summit Tunnel had been repaired and before it was reopened to trains the lions held a sponsored walk through the tunnel I walked through it with my dad, I have photos of the brick walls that melted with the heat of the fire.

[@austinmadelaine4194]

I live in Saddleworth. When me and my friends were about 13-14 years old kids back in the late 70s, we used to walk through these tunnels a couple of times a year for fun. We would stand in the cross tunnel door way to the live tunnel and wait for a train to come past, very scary. When we were old enough and passed our driving tests we then drove cars through these tunnels. Great times

[@ww2wendal34]

Nice one Martin. This is what KZbin is meant for. Proper informative content. Looking forward to your next upload.

[@MartinZero]

Hello Gents, thanks for watching. Yes its going to be difficult to top that one. Thanks again lads 👍

[@ww2wendal34]

@@MartinZero not sure how familiar you are with our channel, but we have aTV producer courting us. They have asked us to recommend other KZbin creator's. If it's ok we'd like to mention you. It would be a magnet fishing based show. We know you've thrown a magnet in the past and we like you're content. Let us know if it's ok.

[@MartinZero]

Yes thats great am sorry I don't know your first name I know Uncle Ian and Callum 😀I have thrown a magnet in a foolish attempt to try and get my drone back. I have no problem with what you suggest if you want to chat Privately I can message you on your FB or you can on mine. Thanks Chaps

[@ww2wendal34]

Yes. That's favourite. Cheers.

[@davidmg1925]

@@ww2wendal34 You tell the tele people to keep away from this. They'll have whizzing cameras, zooming, panning, jogging up and down, waving a round , daft music and all the rest of it . i came to youtube to get way from that sh*t.

[@bungle6668]

Couple of quick facts,m from a Diggler born and bred! (also an explorer myslef, ive been playing in and around them tunnels since i was very young!) the current canal tunnel entrance was actually built in 1894 as an EXTENSION. When the new railway tunnel opened (the double bore) it actually cased the railway to cut the canal off from the original portal, so they had to build the extension! As for the extant building, it is actually a water tank. the tunnels were equipped with water troughs at the Diggle end (there has always been some debate as to wether or not it was the double bore, or the double and both singles) so steam engines could load water on the move!

[@Axgoodofdunemaul]

I love stuff like this. I spent much of my childhood with my friends, exploring places like this, while concealing my activities from all adults. These videos bring back the fun of that.

[@4623620]

The little hollow with the fireplace immediate made me contemplate the poor working conditions of these platelayers, the the craftsmanship of the stonework in the small arched side tunnels, the "Cathedral", the Red brook shaft 156 meters deep (that's a hell of al long way to fall), the water poring down almost everywhere, the main tunnels about 8 kilometres long (❓😵❗), the history of the four tunnels, the times when they where build, the way they are physically and historically connected, the thoughts about the men, woman and children who made it all, the photograph of the workmen at the end of the video as a tribute to them all, it's all most impressive, the music is very apposite, and you walked some ten miles (16 km) to show us all this, one of your finest videos 🖖😎👍 Martin, I'd say: To dare stand on the shoulders of giants, one should not be afraid of heights (or depths) ❗

[@andrewwild1610]

Wow! This is one of the best videos that I’ve ever watched on KZbin! I was a Train Driver and a friend works the canal boat through the Standege Tunnel - but I had no idea about all this infrastructure. Amazing.... thanks Martin. Your enthusiasm is infectious. Keep up the good work.

[@juliemclean6266]

Marvellous, better than anything on TV. Thankyou for bringing this to us Martin, so interesting and close to home too. Take care now and thanks again.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Very much Julie. Hope I dont get in trouble

[@philipdumelow6761]

A retired civil engineering contractor, tunnelling never interested me in my working life. Old canal & rail tunnels: that's a different matter; they fascinate me. As you say, Martin, the manual labour that built these was awesome. They didn't have powerful explosives either, the canal builders only had black powder: low velocity of detonation, smoky & toxic. They had to drive the shot holes in the face with an auger & sledgehammers (my roles included quarry management & I got my explosives ticket). The conditions were awful, but the tunnels they made were robust. Yes, maintainable is essential: all that water causes damage. But congratulations on a splendid video, I'll look out for more of yours.

[@williamkennedy5492]

It takes ones breath away what our forebears achieved, they showed us the way. Thank you martin for another marvellous video. Best wishes Sisaket Thailand.

[@viktordaz-haagen7834]

I'm here because of the "Trap Door" video.

[@markvanessadixon]

.....and me also!

[@bigc8300]

me to from Viginia USA

[@CliffLewis28]

Me three! 😁

[@samsstuff3100]

Saame from australia

[@W333dm4n]

Yea

[@davidnm21]

Amazing video one of the best on YT. I have always longed to traverse Standedge canal tunnel in one of the trip boats that you can ride in. I have been through Blisworth canal tunnel in Northamptonshire which is just under two miles I believe. But Standedge at over 3 miles long is without doubt the king of all canal tunnels and I marvel at the navvies back in the day that built these engineering feats. Well done incredible video. 👍😉👍😉

[@clagfest]

Without a shadow of a doubt, your best video yet, and for that title, there's no shortage of contenders. Back in 1990, when as a Guard, I signed the Standedge route, there was no mention of the side tunnels, or any emergency evacuation procedures in place to utilise them. The side tunnels only existed in messroom gossip. Standedge Tunnel always made me nervous as a young Guard, and I always dreaded the thought of my train breaking down in there, with the long lonely walk to either end, to summon assistance. Thankfully this never happened. As an aside, you mentioned the cathedral in there. There's another tunnel on the south Pennine route between Manchester and Sheffield, called Cowburn Tunnel. This also contains a 'cathedral' which is a cavern the builders tunneled into quite by accident, and is now supposedly used by Network Rail as an equipment and materials store. When on a train passing through Cowburn, you can feel and hear the air pressure change as you pass it. Keep up the good work. This is a video you're going to struggle to surpass 😎

[@MartinZero]

Hello many thanks, and yes Its going to be difficult to find another location like this. Thats a interesting story also that you never knew of the side tunnels

[@mickd6942]

clagfest in the old woodhead tunnel there was a signal box they had to pay extra to get signal men to work it and they only worked half the normal shift hours for a signalman

[@MartinZero]

@@mickd6942 Why ? Because it was in the Tunnel ? was it the conditions ?

[@mickd6942]

Martin Zero yes it was half way through with the dark smoke and damp i think being the reason no one wanted to work it , the railway company wanted an extra block section between woodhead and dunford bridge because of the need for extra capacity as traffic increased

[@NikEastwood161]

@@MartinZero look up Lydgate Tunnel, nr oldham and under saddleworth, thats disused.

[@CURBEXUK]

Martin this was by far one of the best explores I have been on and it was a pleasure to have done it with You Martin & Paul. A great achievement for us all 💯👍🏼👌🏼

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Pal. Yes it was totally awesome to have you along my right hand man. Like I say you make this stuff possible 👊👍

[@oakashthorn5714]

A much needed reprieve from all the politics, top draw video once again 👊🏻

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much my friend

[@tedvanmatje]

Well said Greg! I totally agree mate :)

[@davidhudson8415]

This is pure gold Martin - I'm enjoying all your video - but this is next level - Thank you for all your efforts in telling the history of the north .

[@MartinZero]

Thanks David

[@traceyprescott8347]

This is brilliant, you are a great presenter, this would be great on television.

[@adamuk5037]

Television is dead

[@W333dm4n]

Why would you pay for tv when you pay for Internet

[@sospiri73]

@@adamuk5037 Haven't watched TV for over 15 years and spend most of my time on here or doing genealogical or other research for people. Far more interesting.

[@djhvideo]

This is way too good for television!

[@andyhill242]

The second time I've watched this video Martin, just brilliant. I lived in Huddersfield for 7 years often saw the tunnel entrances, but never went inside. I wish I had because I'll never do it now I'm disabled unless they do some sort of open day for disabled scooters! Always seize the moment, you never know what tomorrow may bring!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Andy, glad you enjoyed, yeah incredible place

[@Pantherking916]

Simple, real, informative and straight to the point. No gimmicks or bs, just straight forward facts and a personal touch that makes it extra special because it demonstrates your genuine interest which contributes to making this even more watchable. Thank you for sharing.

[@Paul-pb3vq]

Well got to say this video is probably the best exploring video I've ever seen , so jealous I wasn't with you guys . Especially doing your research before hand and telling the history of its beginning . 10 out of 10 .

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Paul, much appreciated 👍😀

[@henryporter5466]

These places shouldn't be locked up. They should be opened so that today's and future generations can appreciate and admire the skill and bravery of the people who built them. Regards Henry (Plate Layer (retired)) Superb video, my friend.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Henry

[@imallowedmyopinionok2354]

Maybe have supervised open days. If they were open full time it wouldnt be long before good for nothing useless little bastards had it covered in graffiti.

[@spencerwilton5831]

henry porter the canal tunnels are still open to the public and navigated daily.

[@Columbakin]

You can get a tour boat through the canal tunnel but the side tunnels are still used to by canal and river trust

[@colesantos]

imagine if we used it for housing and people were allowed to install living capsules in the tunnel as some kind of weird experiment on living in space tunnels on mars.

[@scottjlambert]

I didn’t want this one to end. I commented “incredible” about half way through. This is without a doubt one of if not the best of your videos. Thank you for putting this out for everyone to enjoy.

[@MartinZero]

Hello Scott, yes it was an amazing place. Its going to be hard to top it 😀Thank you very much

[@hignut06]

Great video , I love the industrial revolution and the sheer power of the people from this era . Strong , brave and a can do attitude . I've been googling the Standedge tunnels for a while now and this video has made my day . Top work fellas!!!!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Chris 👍

[@cookinggrandma1]

The artistry of the brickwork is inspiring! To think that’s where no one would see and under those circumstances and to still make it gorgeous...satisfaction comes in many forms. Thanks to those who still find beauty in effort.

[@cookinggrandma1]

Thanks for taking us there mate!

[@TheByard]

Back in the mid 80s I worked on the new Cairo Sewer Project a Government Aid project funded by the UK and US. The sewage is so caustic that we lined the concrete segmental tunnels with two layers of blue engineering bricks, each facing joint was raked out an inch deep and pointed with Epoxy mortar. Steel arches were used to support the timber formers that held the bricks in place, all this was on a travelling stage mounted on rails. The foremen brick layers were found in Glasgow and they had gained their experience lining the whisky vaults. their skill came when changing diameter or joining with a shaft, it was a work of art especially the tapering joints. I have photos but sadly not to hand.

[@andrewwilkinson8250]

Great video, as a teenager we spent many a day exploring down there the last time I was there was on the wedding day of Charles and Diane. It's certainly had some serious money spent on it since then. I recall many mounds of rubble in the tunnels and the cross tunnels to the Chanel very unstable, crossing the Chanel led to the tunnel to the mainline. It was eerie silent then you hear the noise from the mainline tunnels followed by a great turbulence as a Deltic roared down the line..happy dayd

[@Diamonddavej]

11:00 It's shale, part of the Hebden Formation, which are mostly sandstones and mudstones with thin coals, it was formed about 322 million years ago during the Carboniferous Period. The rocks were laid down in sallow sea and delta environment like this - i.imgur.com/kwuoTZx.jpg. I guess this is near the tunnel entrance on the Diggle side of the tunnel. "Fine- to very coarse-grained and pebbly, feldspathic sandstone interbedded with grey siltstone and mudstone, with subordinate marine black shales, thin coals and seatearths. The lower part of the formation is dominated by a turbiditic facies of thinly interbedded siltstone and fine-grained sandstone with laterally impersistent and locally thick, massive, coarse to very coarse-grained sandstones. The upper part of the formation is dominated by sheet-like laterally persistent, cross-bedded sandstones, interbedded with siltstone and mudstone; Coal and seatearth are largely restricted to the upper part of the formation. A distinctive feature of the lower part of the formation within the Askrigg Block succession is the presence of brachiopod-bearing sandstones, the Cayton Gill Shell Bed and Ure Shell Bed (Wilson and Thompson, 1965; Wilson, 1977)." www.bgs.ac.uk/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?pub=HEBD

[@johnrogers2826]

It's just mind blowing the fascinating structures below ground. You wouldn't be able to keep me out of them! Awesome, thanks!

[@willicr]

I have gone through canal tunnels many times - on a boat with headlight on. Walking through that railway tunnel with a torch - no way. Thanks for doing it for me.

[@MartinZero]

👍

[@christineterry3755]

FANTASTIC VID .Martin! Thankyou for sharing, a tribute to the workers, so amazing..

[@chrisharding5783]

Very interesting. Thank you. Beneath the surface of both Liverpool and Manchester. Has many hidden gems. I very much appreciate you showing this.👍

[@karldunne5595]

Well done!!...... I noticed the more courage it took to explore a tunnel, the LESS graffiti was there!!.....

[@shiver_me_timbers]

We have to thank you Martin because if you hadn't gone down there, risked your neck filming that amazing place none of us would ever have seen it! So, thank you Sir.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you very much. It was such an amazing place 👍🏼

[@blueneeson9888]

Martin. That Was Absolutely fantastic. And A Big Thanks To The Men Women a Children Who Built It. From Blue.

[@wladniem]

another brilliant video, thanks Martin, Connor and Paul.....and I will thank you's coz I wouldn't have been able to see these tunnels without your film.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you very much. I am sure they will see the comments

[@petee19]

I’ve watched a lot of canal videos through the tunnel, but your video is outstanding with so much information. It’s incredible to think how all this was constructed at the time.Thank you so much for this video.

[@melcooke2198]

Incredible video as always. Your videos should be on mainstream tv. You make history interesting. Can't wait for the next one.

[@MartinZero]

Hello Mel hope your well. Thanks very much. Gonna be hard to top this one 😀

[@qte5530]

Awesome thank you for sharing. Always enjoyed British architecture & brick work. The men, women, & children did an amazing job, and the dangers they faced, I totally honor all of them and their hard work.

[@yorkiepudd7404]

sit down with beer n pizza click like watch Martin vid, great evening sorted

[@MartinZero]

Ha Great stuff. Hope that Pizza has pepperoni on it 😀

[@karldunne5595]

Actually, King George V whisky and pizza is just awesome!!

[@bryan3550]

Totally! 😉

[@danehardinge8801]

Martin you have really found your forte in life. Thank you for the passionate narrative, in depth preparation and superb videos. Happy 2023

[@franktuckwell196]

Just a foot note, i drove trains in london and believe you me when engineering works happened it was proved time and time again that although the Victorians were great engineers there was also victorian cowboy builders as well.

[@Seat1AJoe]

Martin! I love this video. I’ve watched it several times trying to comprehend its beauty. Thanks for this one mate.

[@jim87vette]

I just discovered this channel and I love it. I want to come across the pond and explore with you. I love the history!!

[@TheFilwud]

Glad to see this video back Martin, great to see our heritage documented and not just decaying away behind a locked gate.

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Phil

[@awedwardscleaningsolutions]

Wow. Great content. Completely undersubbed. Feels like a TV production.

[@johnthompson3605]

Martin, just come across your videos, AMAZING, Rochdale lad myself, so all these places from Manchester up the foot hills and out onto the sprawling moors I know very well, presentation of your videos , is very professional, informative and a pleasure to watch, loaded with just enough info to keep it interesting. There are many , many places around the foot hills worth visiting, most long since drifted into obscurity , but never the less still there, from the quarry that only produced flags for trafalgar square to the steam engine that is still bricked up in an engine room dug into the rock, thanks very Much Martin.

[@MartinZero]

Hi John you must tell me of these things and places !!!!! Facebook me Martin Zero

[@BadgerC0llective]

I've paddled through the canal tunnel a few times in kayaks. Sure we can arrange another paddle through if you want to explore that with us. It's pretty amazing in the parts where you can still see the original stone work. Quite a few parts have been sprayed over with concrete. Stanadge canal tunnel and our kayaks is our zombie apocalypse plan.

[@Littlewing6was9]

Can I come.

[@R-bobo]

I'd like to paddle through the Standedge tunnel as I've been through the canal on the under and over trip a few years ago.

[@jameswalton8532]

@@Littlewing6was9 I'll come too, if you ever do it again, I've paddles the mile tunnel in lancashire a few times, but this would be awesome 👍

[@valerieparkins8476]

Absolutely fantastic well done Martin and friends that has to be one of the best things I've seen on u tube or TV loved every minute of it. Thank you for all the information and great filming .

[@BrasherFox]

Spot On Martin. Showing us yet again, forgotten features of our long lost history and engineering. Thank You, looking forward to many more from you and your friends.

[@MartinZero]

Hello Brian thank you very much. 👍

[@Urbexy]

As soon as I saw you showing so much interest in those shafts I had a sneaky suspicion you were going to end up down there. What an incredible place it was. Even today that would be a monumental piece of engineering... Back in the day that was nothing short of incredible. Good job you had done your planning prior to going in. It would be easy for someone to end up in the wrong place down there. I liked your comment at the end "standing on the shoulders of giants". Very poignant.

[@MartinZero]

Hello Mr Urbexy I laid awake at night planning and hoping to get into that Tunnel as I knew partially what was down there. Yes incredible place. Definitely stood on the achievements of That generation of people that built those tunnels

[@epj900]

Well said ,your comments at the end. I have heard of the Standedge Tunnels but never seen them before. Your video just leaves me IN ABSOLUTE AWE of the people who built them. I do thank you for the video, well done

[@MartinZero]

Thank you very much

[@christhornley1664]

Great video Martin, been on the train through the live tunnel many times and I've often thought about these tunnels. I was actually surprised how crude the tunnels seemed to be, especially the canal tunnel. I expected it all to be brick lined and quite neat, I didn't expect all the bare rock. It must have been a nightmare for the workers constructing these tunnels. Hard, dangerous and extremely unpleasant working conditions, there must have been many fatalities and dreadful injuries. We don't know we're born these days compared to the conditions earlier generations had to live under. Thanks Martin, a most interesting video.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Chris, yes I look at that Canal Tunnel and wonder how its navigable but it is. Sections are brick lined but like you say a lot of it is crude 👍

[@johnnaylor5001]

Fantastic! I watched this video with headphones on and it almost feels like you’re down there - hearing the sounds of the draughts of air and the patter of water at the base of the shafts really set the scene. Excellent sound quality well done! 👍

[@MartinZero]

Hello John. Funnily enough I haven't done that I might try. I cut a bit out where I nearly got blown over by a side wind rush from a train. Thanks so much for watching and your comment 👍

[@kennethainsworth1716]

Thank you Martin & your crew for a fanrastic video of the Standedge Tunnels. Best one I have seen. Hows the River Medlock marathon moving along? Can't wait to see the rest. Keep up the good work. Stay safe guys.

[@MartinZero]

Hello Kenneth hope your well. Its going to be hard to top this one. We discussed the Medlock the other day. I think we will be braving the cold winter water in the coming weeks 👍

[@TheByard]

Great video Thank You. As I commented in another VLOG I've worked in the Tunnel Industry since 1960 and gave up in 2014 having reached the giddy height of Senior Inspector of Works. The photo you showed was of a hand shield driven tunnel lined with cast iron bolted segments, the photo shows the guys were injecting cement grout into the annulus through the grout plug hole. Single track tunnel also had man holes, about a yard deep escape hole in the sides of tunnels at regular intervals for the Plate Layers to step into when a train was coming. They also used them for other purpose's so you had to be careful where you stepped. The Plate layer's job was to tighten the fish plate joints between each rail that loosened over time, they would also fish plate a cracked rail to keep trains moving, replacing the rail at a later date. Thanks for bringing back memories of the good old days.

[@LancashireLad1980.]

Been subbed for about a month now and playing catch up on all your videos, always top quality. The editing is fantastic and your research second to none. Funnily enough I was planning a visit to standedge tunnels very soon so now I know what to look for and where not to go. cheers for another brilliant vid all the best

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much. They are amazing tunnels but I think we were lucky getting in

[@paulbarnes8425]

Another fantastic video Martin,not just a walk through one end to the other but all the interesting information about the side tunnels/shafts inbetween.Fantastic 10/10 👍

[@MartinZero]

Hi Paul yes an entire infrastructure down there, amazing. Thank you 👍

[@Mantakev]

These videos are better than proper TV ! Thanks for doing these. I really enjoy them.

[@pollyanne9973]

Hi Martin and friends. Saw the trapdoor vid.... and here I am hooked, fish line and sinker !. Love your vids..This place is simply incredible. Like you, I cannot fully appreciate and imagine how much they suffered, to feed their families, while working down there to create these tunnels. It's mind boggling !! Phew ! Thank you for sharing this with us. Carole in UK. x

[@davidclark3603]

Amazing. I can’t believe what I’ve just seen!

[@nedkelly4999]

Youve done it this time. Quality vid mate. Ive worked on the railway for 22 years, i worked here over 10 yrs ago and wanted to go in these tunnels but the lads wouldn't go in with me. Its a very good explore mate, well worth the wait.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Ned, yes amazing place

[@floydskifloyd2870]

🤗Amazing absolutely excellent video this place is the holy grail of tunnels 👀 amazing footage tea & biscuits 520 feet under the moors great stuff👍👍

[@MartinZero]

Paul thanks mate. Take the credit you and Connor made it happen and that light was amazing

[@floydskifloyd2870]

@@MartinZero watching it I got goosebumps & the adrenaline was flowing🤗 thanks mate had an amazing day but it's you that puts it on film & shares the history keep it up mate 👍👍

[@angelsone-five7912]

I think I have just promoted this to your best ever explore Martin. I`m absolutely amazed at all the civil engineering that is down there hidden in the ground. One can`t but admire the guts of all those people involved in the creation of these tunnels, respect.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Hazel, yes its an amazing place

[@UKVampy]

Nice bit of OMD there, well appreciated.

[@davidbrearley1541]

Hi Martin ...again absolutely brilliant work ...both myself and my wife Marianne...love your adventures and we look forward to joining you and your pals on other exciting outings, stay safe...best wishes David and Marianne.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks David and Marianne much appreciated

[@juleshathaway3894]

Hi Martin, the derelict buildings on the remains of the station that you went into at the start have water tanks on top of them. These supplied water to the water troughs which were located just inside the portals where the track was level. The troughs were located on the track between each rail and was used for steam locos to replenish the water in the tenders whilst the train was moving by lowering a scoop into the trough. Standedge was the only tunnel that had water troughs inside.

[@MrYfrank14]

never heard of that before. thought they all had to stop to take on water. by "all", I mean all steam trains around the world.

[@MartinZero]

Yes I actually mentioned that in the video I pointed out that tank but then I cut it from the start as I went on a bit

[@MartinZero]

@@MrYfrank14 Yes it was a thing they could scoop water as Jules says

[@juleshathaway3894]

@@MartinZero Ah right. I am amazed they are still there and Network Rail hasn't removed them for scrap. Cheers.

[@lillianrobins84]

Martin Zero! Beyond the grave was sad but brilliant info. Thanks for another great one! You cease to amaze me!

[@NickNorton]

Outside, top of the ventilation shaft reminds me of H. G. Wells's The Time Machine. Where the Morlocks live underground.

[@AlisonBryen]

My goodness the Morlocks terrified me aa a child!!!!

[@bikeroyley]

I went on the Ale train to Marsden and saw the signs for Standedge tunnel. So I thought I would see if any one on here had made a video of it. Thank you very much for an informative and entertaining video. Well done.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Roy. Much appreciated

[@layersoftheonion8168]

It’s simply astounding how they built this back in the day. The amount of stone, how did they know which direction they were going? And was it dug by hand??

[@huecryptoh6675]

haha jon levi & paul cook have a thing or two to say in this regard. :)

[@jontownsend8090]

Watched this video 3 months ago, i had to watch it again. This is as serious as it gets by the looks of things. This explore is not for the faint hearted. Absolutely amazing. Its a different world down there.

[@patrickdickinson6492]

Hi Martin comment from Joseph Dickinson was from me, my son left himself logged in on computer, thanks Pat

[@colmone5592]

Pat, you should have a look down here.

[@MartinZero]

Hello Pat. Thanks for the Comment. 👍😀

[@patrickdickinson6492]

@@colmone5592 Hi Colm, yes its on my last, Pat

[@colmone5592]

@@patrickdickinson6492 Good for you Pat. Mind you, Martin's documentary is so good I don't know what there is left to say. I know you will find something of interest. I am a canal fan. I once had my own (fibreglass) canal cruiser at Higher Poynton on the Macclesfield Narrow Canal and loved everything about it. I now live in south east England so no canalboat. I'm too old anyway.

[@patrickdickinson6492]

@@colmone5592 yes agreat Martin covered everything there was to say about the tunnel, should make a good day out. Pat

[@jasonsaunders9173]

Probably one of the best KZbin videos I have ever seen absolutely stunning

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Jason

[@olr1home]

Nice one, very engaging. I've been through by bicycle and running, but didn't really get the relationship between the ventilation and the seperate tunnels. I think you should come to Scotland in the winter for a rest....

[@MartinZero]

Thank you. I dread Scotland in Winter 😣

[@byronpreston2406]

Another top vid. Iv cycled along the Huddersfield canal from Manchester city centre to Upper mill. Me & a few mates managed to slide our bikes under the gates & cycle through this tunnel to Marsden. Great to see the maintenance that has been done since the late 90s when we first found this amazing place. Scout tunnel was on the way there, that's a much shorter canal tunnel that has a towpath.

[@MidnightVisions]

Tunnels may be disused, but with aluminum walkways, steel reinforced tunnels with vehicle side rails,and recent cabling, they are not abandoned.

[@MartinZero]

No Not abandoned. You are correct. I think they have a role in maintenance and evacuation. 👍

[@robjohnston8259]

Walked up the hillside yesterday outside Marsden when i saw the shaft tops from the roadside. Had no idea what they were and someone linked me to your videos. Wow!! I cant believe all that was running under my feet. Incredible feat of engineering and sad to think that its now redundant. Dont think i could pluck up the courage to delve there. Your videos are superb. Im Scots born but live down here now and i love learning about the hidden history of Yorkshire.

[@NikEastwood161]

scary down there but interesting nonetheless, thanks to you all for a great video

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Nik. I think I found the shafts most scary. Just the sheer height, they reminded me of how deep under the hillside i was

[@donogoobo9992]

In America, the closest we have is probably Seattle, Washington, where the new city is built right on top of the old city and there are many places like you have shown. NYC is next with hundreds of miles of underground tunnels, hallways and rooms, which were drainage tunnels, subway routes and storage yards for the subway workers.

[@Seat1AJoe]

I’ve watched this one a few times, Martin. It’s more dazzling every time.

[@patrickdickinson6492]

Hi Martin, reading some of your comments I take it the gates are normally locked shut at each ending and you were luckly to get in the tunnel. Could you of got in if the gates were locked? Looked an amazing explore and that cathedral is comparable with Sheffield Megatron, thanks Pat

[@MartinZero]

Hi Patrick, to be honest I thought the Cathedral would be bigger. Your Megatron is vast compared to it. Yes there are ways of getting in if its locked I would have to explain. I dunno if your on Facebook you can Private message me on there. Under Martin Zero 👍

[@u1zha]

At 2:34 it looks like the canal tunnel gate leaves a huge gap above the waterline that you could easily boat through. Other pictures on google show it sealed more properly though.

[@patrickdickinson6492]

@@inquisitiveexplorerlee3299 thanks Lee got a lot of interesting places to explore in 2019, Pat

[@donaldmason4959]

It could have been a problem if you had come back to the entrance and found you had been locked in!(or do you carry Bolt Cutters?).

[@keitholdbean3173]

When the authorities see this video they might start locking it more securely ... bigger chains bigger locks . they only do it to stop children hurting themselves ... If you are planning a trip through Patrick I would love to come with you . I live near Marsden . I could help ... [e-mail]

[@cathyfitzpatrick9384]

Guy's you are so amazing with what finds you come up with you certainly your onions Thank you big Hugs to you both xxx

[@beerswiller1955]

Stumbled upon this video after watching the draining of the canal in Manchester. Tunnels are a fascination and I really enjoyed this. Thanks for bringing this to the public.

[@ronspannermanread]

i think all you brits out there would agree thats what makes us different out there to the rest of the world. God bless the BRITISH

[@CliffLewis28]

Yes, as a Brit abroad I can heartily concur! ::-) British ingenuity is truly one of a kind.

[@burptastic]

@@CliffLewis28 Aye and with complete contempt for the working man, woman and child.

[@edwardhalpin7503]

Here Here (from a yank)

[@ronspannermanread]

@@edwardhalpin7503 GOD BLESS THE USA AS WELL

[@BearAnkles]

Ha!

[@Cheeseatingjunglista]

Two years, well nearly.., later - still brilliant - sadly KZbin wont let me "like" again - just watched today's "5 Brilliant things we just stumbled on, that are all really close to each other, and by the way, there's more than 5" - before to this fantastic vid. Thank you mate, superb, continuously fascinating vids. You have no competition, you are the GOAT

[@MartinZero]

Thank you , Good to be the GOAT 😃

[@keitholdbean3173]

I often thought as a teenager where would the best place to be during a nuclear war .. Standedge tunnels would be the best place for me as I lived in Marsden at the time...

[@TheUrbanCollectiveWeFilmIt]

Absolutely fascinating another fantastic video added to your collection m8 much appreciated!

[@MartinZero]

Hello, thanks very much. Yeah amazing place hard to top it 👍

[@mickd6942]

With one pilot loco and no authority to procede on to single track unless pilot loco on front then two trains can not be on the single line at the same time an early type of token system to avoid collisions , on a line near me that opened in 1850 They had a traveling porter on the single line bit If he was not on the engine it could not enter the single line and he just rode back and forth all day To prevent collisions

[@MartinZero]

Yeah Its what I have read maybe its an error not sure ?

[@RiggenbachDE]

@@MartinZero A pilot LOCOMOTIVE would be a great expenditure, when a pilot MAN (who travels on the trains) or even a token (which is handed over to the engine driver) serves the same purpose. The only problem occurs when the trains do not circulate in both directions alternately, but when two trains shall follow each other in the same direction; then you would indeed need a locomotive to travel back through the tunnel and bring the next train forward. - The solution was the electromagnetic needle telegraph, which was invented in 1837, and was soon adapted for railway purposes as block indicator.

[@Roblilley999]

Another amazing vid Martin. The work put into those tunnels is mind blowing

[@MartinZero]

Hello Robert, yes mind blowing is not an understatement its an incredible place 👍

[@nightw4tchman]

31:26 Shame you didn't wait to see a train pass there, sounded like one was coming.

[@petedemaio168]

Just awesome Martin! Brilliantly made video.

[@philbrennan3342]

The Diggle 'building' clearly is a raised water tank & justifies the existence of the under building - as it primary use was as a steam loco water supply?

[@batmankb]

In steam days there were water troughs at the Diggle end of both of the single bores. There was some sort of mechanism to create a clanging sound to tell the fireman to drop the scoop into the water. Travelling in the first carriage at this point could be a wet experience when the tender tank became full. I walked both ways on the tracks when the single tunnels were first disused, in the late 60's, and was similarly in awe at the workmanship. The canal tunnel was not used as it is today and was probably unnavigable due to rockfalls. A very interesting video Martin and crew which brought back fond memories of steam trains up the Colne Valley.

[@stuartemery8131]

Absolutely awesome Martin, I know this has been on your bucket list for ages. The steel strengthening supports are definitely new additions since I did the walk in the 80's

[@MartinZero]

Hi Stu, oh you mean those white things. No sign of the Old steam trains lined up ready for another war 😀

[@captainpugwash3275]

Who is Martin Zero's Hero?

[@MartinZero]

Captain Pugwash

[@captainpugwash3275]

@@MartinZero T'is an honour and a privilege. Have you ever visited the Forbidden Corner near Leyburn? If not, I think you'd love it. Keep up the great work mate. I used to live in Marsden...It has quite a reputation for the occult. I remember that in the late '90's before the standedge visitor centre got renovated and re-opened, that in the left hand sided old railway tunnel, one of the side rooms was used as a location for Black Masses. There were pentagrams and several dead crows along with quite a few weird etchings on the walls. Strange times! I presume that since then any evidence of such dark enterprises has long since been removed. Strange place, Marsden

[@MartinZero]

Oh yeah we got told that in 1984 that there was Devil worship stuff in there

[@alanhesketh9265]

Walked through all three railway tunnels many times in the 1970's and even drove my Ford Capri through to Marsden and back to Diggle in 1979. In those days the two original small tunnels were not gated. Walked through the small connecting walkways passing over the canal tunnel which had not been in use since 1944 at that time. Great video, brings back memories. There was a small workman's hut in there.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Alan. I showed the workmans hut

[@valerielongmore5040]

You did great justice to not only the engineers, but moreover to the folk who built it all. You brought the past to life by your excellent narration and in depth knowledge and prior investigation into the structures and their history. It was great to see what you saw and be able to marvel at it all. Your enthusiasm and professionalism makes them all a joy to watch. Thank you and your super team.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you very much Valerie. Very pleased you enjoyed it 👍

[@Bowfinger10]

I am just a bloke from the US, but absolutely fascinated by any footage of the Standedge Tunnel. Does it get recognized in the UK much? I can't believe the amount of effort and labor (and lives) that went into it at a time which canal building was in it's infancy in the 'states. To give some perspective, our first canal tunnel here in the states was the Auburn Tunnel, started in 1818 but finished in 1821. And it was only 450 ft long.

[@alanlake5220]

Great video Martin thanks for taking us along with you. The moors, strage kinda spooky place, with no trees on the horizon

[@morthren]

Fantastic video Martin! Absolutely fascinating architecture and a well explained journey. Well done!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much. It was an ambition to go through and it didnt disappoint 👌