Severn and Wye Abandoned Railway Tunnels

[@scrimperuk]

It is heartbreaking how much work went into creating these amazing tunnels that were then discarded by the stroke of a pen. The original Severn bridge should have been repaired not scrapped after the accident but it happened in a bad period for the railways when any excuse to close a line was welcomed. Thank you for all the time and effort you put into your videos they are very much appreciated.

[@chrisb012]

Great video. You lucky pair are doing what I wish I had time to do. Very watchable, and informative. Also love that it comes across how much you both enjoy making these videos!

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you Christopher.

[@donniblanco5239]

I love the Forest and cycle these old tracks regularly. The Time Scale and Logistics involved with levelling the Track Bed over this Adventurous Terrain Boggles my Mind. I’m sure it would take Years to complete, using Present Day Methods and Gargantuan Plant Equipment, but to think that this was all achieved with Shovels and Picks, and Horse and Cart, is literally beyond Amazing . Gr8 work Guys - Botg - Boots on the Ground 👏🏻🙏🏻✨

[@telquad1953]

Old rail line near my house in Ottawa removed years ago for a walking trail. Still found umpteen relics in the form of bolts and spikes. So moving. So what you are doing is wonderful. Thank you.

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you. Glad you are enjoying the videos.

[@TheOnlyJizz]

Ever so slightly addicted to your chanel I think, great content and for the record the early stuff with the tunes works really well

[@GrahamWalters]

There is a private house at the northern end of Symonds Yat tunnel, but it is accessible on foot, you can do it either by following the track bed alongside the river, or by the forestry commission access road, both are a fair walk.( I think the house is something to do with the Peregrines that nest around there), The cable are mains cables carrying power from one side of the hill to the other, I seem to remember them going through the tunnel when the area was declared AONB, but don't quote me on that. I've walked Coppit Hill tunnel a couple of times before H&S deemed it unsafe, from what I remember it has a very slow curve, barely noticeable along it's length. If you want to know a lot more about them I could put you in touch with my brother who in his formative years rode the footplate from Ross to Monmouth on many occasions

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Graham. Won't be going back for a few months, bit I think we missed a few tunnels in the area so they will be on our list. Know anyone with a key!?

[@GrahamWalters]

@@pwhitewick I have a feeling that railtrack are the ones responsible for all the locked tunnels now, but don't quote me on that one either, I seem to remember when I working the 'Forest' there were always a lot of Network Rail vehicles around nowhere near the main line around Lydney. I know years ago ( and I mean many) there was a bloke in Ross( On Wye) who arranged walks through Coppit and Yat tunnels, I'll put some feelers out and see if they are stil advertised in the local rags.

[@cliveahough]

Thanks Paul and Rebecca for another great old tunnel finding video. You`ve given me inspiration to get out there. It`s amazing what is out there to discover, and I have a love of maps too. Keep up the great work.

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Cliffe. Get out there and go explore. 👍

[@samueltaunton7566]

I've walked all the way through the Moseley Green tunnel, when I was in Scouts I took a slight diversion to make my hike through there! If (when) you go to Haie Hill tunnel then make sure you go up to the door because it was locked and bolted, but the door still opened!

[@pwhitewick]

Great, thanks for the tip Samuel. We almost stayed a tad longer and did a little of that line. Next time as we will certainly be back. 👍👍

[@wurlitzer895]

Another brilliant video! You most certainly did not let your viewers down, please be assured of that! Thank you so much. It seems so sad when you consider all the energy, money and effort - and possibly people's lives - that went into building these lines and their structures, that it has all been left largely to fall into decay. Nowt is permanent - not even the permanent way!!

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you. We are always conscious about what we are giving the viewers. Unfortunately/fortunately that'll never stop. Really appreciate your comment and agree nothing is forever.

[@wurlitzer895]

@@pwhitewick I've only very recently stumbled across your channel and am loving it. Please don't worry about the contents of your films; they are wonderfully evocative, fascinating, sad yes, but that's the nature of what you're recording. I have very bad arthritis and can't walk much, so you transport me to places I can no longer access, and that is a great gift. So here's a huge 'thank you' from a new subscriber. It's amazing what is left, considering the length of time that has elapsed since these were living, thriving railways.

[@johnmehaffey9953]

Got you off Martin zeros channel, I'm fascinated with abandoned railway tracks, my wife loves walking and has walked quite a few disused tracks here in Ireland now called greenways and as there's good access points I can get to the old abandoned stations as a lover of old buildings the architecture of our old railway buildings is fantastic and needs to be preserved

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks John. One day we will indeed cover Ireland.

[@2H80vids]

At 0:20 , that's one impressive torch.☺ Even ignoring the railway side of these expeditions, you're finding some lovely spots. Interesting how many have become well-trodden paths.

[@pwhitewick]

It has a nice long thin beam which can be really useful for shots like this one! Yup couldnt agree more. Railways aside there is a whole new world out there we had little idea about.

[@gobstoppa1633]

A FEW EXTRA POUNDS YOU HAD ON BACK THEN PAUL" YA BREATHING PROVES IT TOO. usual top notch vid, cheers.

[@mikehindson-evans159]

Congratulations on having the confidence to admit that you learned lessons in camera use in the tunnels! Fascinating "historical documents" - thank you.

[@Roblilley999]

Well done on finding the "SEVEN" tunnels. Your videos always surpass expectation. You have not let anyone down, all you need is a song and dance routine ;) always look forward to your expedition videos You and 'er!

[@pwhitewick]

I was afraid that the "Severn tunnels" might be too 'clickbaity' for you Robert and the expectation might have been for a different type of video altogether!....

[@Roblilley999]

@@pwhitewick maybe I was expecting Len Goodman to join you at some point

[@Wulfbear99]

Great video as a Railway Rambler myself I found this very interesting, we have often have to recce a route only find it blocked by fallen trees or flooding one of the challenges of walking old railways keep up the good work!

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you. Yes that was indeed a re-route over and over!

[@TIMMEH19991]

Cracking video again. Thanks for making these and keeping me entertained.

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers. Plenty more in the pipeline... 👍👍

[@Mrtallguy76]

Cracking videos !! The Two Tunnels at Bath are well worth a visit if you haven’t been there yet. A mile underground is weird. But amazing to run through in the summer as it’s so cool.

[@timleach3177]

Hi Paul , Rebecca , the wife and I visited tunnel number 7 this July , both ends bricked up with bat access only , shame , love your videos , I live in Taunton so I know the Taunton chard area quite well as I'm a bit like you and like to look around at history , cheers keep up the vids , Tim & Kim

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks both, next adventure your way is down to see those funky locks from the 1830's.

[@andymiller4971]

Super footage as always, your more patient than me with the editing, keep up the spiffing work.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Andy.

[@tonystack7375]

Great videos Paul I’ve watched them all ,so keep them coming. All the best to you and your lovely wife.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Tony

[@Sim0nTrains]

Some of those tunnels did look amazing. also liked the editing splitting the tunnels up with a story explain into the story

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Simon. It was a fascinating area.

[@johnjephcote7636]

A nice piece of bridge rail just before the second (curved) short tunnel. The pieces I liberated from near Frome Station, once cut into slices and mounted on wood make the most ideal weights for dressmaking/tailoring!

[@Curly472001]

I am from the Forest of Dean and the mystery tunnel is not a tunnel at all. It was built to stop the Waterloo colliery tip from sliding on to the railway. Used to walk these lines when they had track on them. Intersting video though. Best wishes Graham Powell

[@bostonrailfan2427]

completely encloses the tracks, has cut into the ground below grade forming a retaining wall, keeps the line at the same grade while going through the terrain: it was intended for protection, but it’s definitely a tunnel. not all tunnels are the same, this literally tunnels into the terrain even if the other end is at-grade

[@andybuckley9223]

Great series of videos - thanks :) I too have walked through Moseley Green tunnel many years ago - I say walked, it was actually a bit of a scramble I assume about where the road goes over the top as the tunnel had been shored up with cross-stacked timber baulks for about 25 yds of its length - so it turned into more of a caving exercise to get through.

[@pwhitewick]

Andy Buckley ah yes, I recall seeing a few pictures of the timber structure. There is a very similar structure in Morlais Tunnel in South Wales come to think of it.

[@PhillipBourguignon]

⭐ You still get a gold star even after all these years later! Phil from USA

[@ade9685]

Great entertainment P&R love hunting old lines myself, even on Google maps and street view I’m sure you do that to. Getting your wife along for the ride is a bonus, no deadlines to meet getting home! Cheers for sharing. Ade

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Ade. When we are researching we use about four/five various useful websites. Might do a little "resources" video soon actually!

[@RSFJ52]

Very interesting, some of the tunnels seem in remarkable condition after circa 50 or more years of disuse, it was such a shame that workers may have died constructing them, only for their magnificent legacies to be subsequently tossed aside, thanks to the likes of Beeching & the "bean counters". Well done for sharing your exploits with the rest of us, I certainly hope that you'll produce a few more videos on the same theme, I have visited a fair number of abandoned tunnels over the years, including walking through Greet in Gloucestershire, this was in 1976 when the double track was still in place, but the line had been closed for several years. Of course, it is now back doing what it was originally built for, having steam trains passing through it once more, courtesy of the "GlosWarks Railway!

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Ralph. Yes they were certainly built to last! Don't worry we absolutely intend to make more of these as we venture around the country. 👍

[@omarzakai4905]

you probably dont care at all but does anyone know a tool to get back into an Instagram account..? I was stupid forgot the password. I appreciate any tips you can offer me

[@creedwesson5652]

@Omar Zakai instablaster :)

[@omarzakai4905]

@Creed Wesson i really appreciate your reply. I found the site through google and im waiting for the hacking stuff atm. I see it takes a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@omarzakai4905]

@Creed Wesson It worked and I finally got access to my account again. I am so happy:D Thanks so much, you saved my ass !

[@thadelmore282]

Just found you both this week. Really enjoy watching your travels and respect for private property. We'll keep watching from Seattle.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks for joining us and following Thad. Hey binge watching the rest.... 👍

[@christopherbraiden6713]

Thanks for the video Paul and Rebecca totally love me tunnels great to have seen inside some more!!😎🚂🚃🚃🇬🇧💯

[@SecretSquirrelFun]

Looking back at these videos from 4 years ago, and I promise that I’m not as shallow as I’m about to sound...BUT, I just wanted to say that I really like this haircut/hairstyle on you Rebecca. It looks very nice indeed. 👍🏽good job 🙂🐿🌈❤️

[@robinnicholson4009]

There area couple of abandoned canal tunnels in the middle of Somerset that are worth finding. Crimson Hill ( 1600 yards I think) and Lillesdon. I found the N entrance for both - but back in 1968 ish!

[@pwhitewick]

Yup, I think you just found it I think?

[@danielsedgwick5476]

I love the pictures of inside the tunnels, reminds me a bit of light painting.

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Daniel. We were really pleased with how they came out.

[@TheScubapez376]

Airshafts were created for two reasons. 1st it was part of the tunnel creation process, where explosives was lowered and detonated to create the tunnel itself . In the process of creating the shaft, when construction was completed the air-shafts allowed for airflow and venting of the steam/soot from the locomotives that past through the tunnel. I am really enjoying your vids's and have just subscribed. Thank you for fantastic content.

[@pwhitewick]

Welcome!

[@paulmartin6397]

Another excellent video guys. I managed to explore most of the Dean Forest's tunnels many years ago, before they were secured for bats, including Symonds Yat. There are more tunnels to explore between Chepstow, Monmouth, Ross and Hereford...

[@pwhitewick]

We had earmarked a good few more locally but unfortunately time didn't allow us to explore. We will certainly be back. 👍

[@andrewschmitz9707]

That was amazing, and yes please be careful, old tunnels sure can be full of ground not so solid. Love both you guys and Martin too.

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Andrew. Yup we certainly go at a very slow pace

[@billyruss]

I just found this video (from your latest video) - must be before I subscribed! When I first visited Mireystock (Mierystock?), the far end was backfilled. It was uncovered as part of a lottery-funded venture sometime around 2007. A bit of a shame that they left it bricked it up anyway. Moseley Green was a great adventure - due to subsidence, the central section was shored up by massive timbers, and involved a bit of a scary crawl through. The airshafts were all open when I first walked it (1978), though they were capped shortly afterwards (at least by my next documented visit of 1984).

[@pwhitewick]

I think if you breath in you could get in the southern portal. Just.

[@grimpeursdusud1533]

Thanks! I love that line but have only ever been cycling along the road or canoeing there. My model railway is based in that line but I've used historical licence and it's been doubled with 2 tunnels and also 2 bridges over the river.

[@davidtuffley3483]

The Trafalgar tunnel, or really a bridge, was going to used to transport colliery waste from the above colliery and across the old railway track. This plan was never completed, although the arch was produced.

[@nov3019892008]

Another great video, i love exploring disused railways, very interesting

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Richard.

[@MegaCj74]

Tunnel No6 the ‘the curious structure’ was built at the site of a mine and was there to enable materials to cross the railway. One side of the structure is unfinished because they intended to extend the tunnel as work at the mine expanded.

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you. Ah yes we did wonder if that might be the case.

[@rogerphelps9939]

As a lad brought up in Lydbrook I have been through Coppet Hill tunnel quite a few times. A good shortcut to Goodrich Castle. I understand hat the bridge over the Wye next to the old cable works needs a lot of expensive work done to it. I hope it is done because is on an important walking route.

[@charlotte8121]

The last tunnel you visited. Right above the tunnel, looking straight down the track, there are old steps leading down. They are pretty well hidden but looking down over they take you to the right and come out right on the track. Very accessible now as the forestry have flattened the old wire fence while cutting trees down.

[@simonclough9781]

I've walked through that tunnel at Symound yat when on holiday. To answer the question of the cables going into the tunnel mouth (Im an Ex BT engineer) it is the armored telephone feed cable for the small cottage that you walked down beside on the path to the track bed. it was easier to feed it through the tunnel from a DP (distribution Point) at the other end near the Royal Lodge Hotel than come over the top on poles.

[@NickMeredith]

You narrowly missed visiting my favourite tunnel in the area. It's very short and it is at Upper Lydbrook station. The line coming up to Lydbrook comes in through a stone headland on a sharp bend and into the station. The former goods sidings there ran around the outside of the tunnel on the level, whereas the running line ran through it on a steep gradient. There is easy road access to the former station and the level crossing by the church. You can walk along the downhill side to where the goods sidings were and walk through the tunnel easily

[@MidnightVisions]

Re the Trafalgar Colliery Tunnel,, there were mining facilities in the area that the rail line went through. The tunnel looks like an overpass, or a wide road that was built over top the rail line that eventually collapsed. That's why half the tunnel is finished and the collapsed part is broken brick and misshapen.

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you. Yes that would definitely make sense.

[@MartinZero]

Love those Tunnels , Pity you couldn't get in 😁😉

[@pwhitewick]

We are claiming a 42.8% success rate if you include Trafalgar Colliery as a tunnel.. 😲😉

[@mistywolf312]

No you didnt let us down, you didnt want to risk falling into an old mine and the track was well and truly blocked and thats fair, on the subject of the half finished tunnel, i would surmise that was as far as they got when they realised that it had been so badly constructed that the shape was creating an unstable tunnel or not enough clearance for the engine on one side. A small drone that can carry the gopro would be the soloution to situations like this, I am sure as your travels continue your going to encounter this a fair bit. As to the battery problems for the gopro its pretty cold, all electronic devices gobble much more power when they are cold ( just google gopro in cold an you will see everyone seems to have the issue), your problems may improve as the weather warms, what about a 10k chargable power bank to carry with you, walk and recharge at the same time.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Misty. Really appreciate the feedback and ideas. We have a decent drone but it was far too wet on this occasion. What aspect of this video were you thinking might be useful to have the drone for?... I guess the last tunnel for starters.

[@mistywolf312]

Yes that last inaccessable tunnel, unless your flying skills are topgun like then any of the gated ones you come accross that you can get it into, maybe it would have fitted under the urbexers only gate. @@pwhitewick

[@ickipoo]

@@pwhitewick Be careful using a drone underground - some go crazy if GPS is erratic.

[@mnshp7548]

if you want the came to stay in focus figure out how to get it into manual mode, although that means you will have to adjust everything, its super useful because you can focus it on what you want. Great video, cool to see how similar it is to shugborough tunnel although there arnt any recesses to hide when a train comes

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers. It wasn't so much we didn't know, it just caught us off guard mid tunnel!. Not heard of shugborough. Where abouts are we?

[@mnshp7548]

@@pwhitewick Staffordshire, its not abandoned and trains pass through on a daily, but its a nice old comparison to some of the abandoned tunnels

[@bobly]

Thank you Paul and Rebecca for your hard work, you both deserve a gold star Paul I could feel your frustration at not getting to the last tunnel but what could be worse you could try injure yourself and what would Rebecca do then? somethings are not meant to be X

[@Curly472001]

Apologies. There were three or four collieries in that area. Arthur and Edward, Waterloo, Trafalgar and Northern United. The tunnel was in case the Trafalgar tip slid and then blocked the railway. Somewhere further on is another tunnel which goes right through a hillside quite substantial but built for a colliery tramway. I had a 1920 large scale ordnance map and myself and friend explored all these many years ago. best wishes Graham Powell ( ex Cinderford)

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Graham, yup we found out soon after filming that it was there to protect the line. (Often the case!). Appreciate the confirmation.

[@steviebaby2857]

Stumbled across you guys from another video, nicely done and I will be subscribing. 👍

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Steve. Welcome to the channel. 👍

[@MerciaMoto]

Fantastic! came across your channel through Martin Zero and I'm hooked thanks for sharing your adventures.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks David. Glad you're enjoying the channel. 👍👍

[@MegaCj74]

To get a tunnel built faster, tunnellers often started digging a several points along the line of the tunnel, rather than just from the ends. They would sink a shaft down to the required level and start headings in opposite directions, which would link up with similar shafts and headings started at other points. The vertical shafts often get left behind as ventilation shafts as you see here. As you say, a tunnel of this length normally wouldn’t need ventilation. Have you ever been through Devonshire Tunnel near Bath, that is a mile and a quarter long, on a rising gradient with no vent shafts. There was a major accident on the line when a driver and fireman were overcome by smoke as they passed through the tunnel.

[@thefabulousadventuresofmag2183]

Very cool stuff. Thanks for sharing this history! Not something you see/hear every day.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks guys. Much appreciated.

[@terryansell6641]

I so enjoy your videos well done thank you

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Terry. Glad you are enjoying them.

[@lamvespa1]

Morning guys . Hey tunnel number 2 . I wonder if it was for narrow gauge ? It looks like that sort of track bed with the tight curves . Please keep these great films coming in .fascinate me loads 😊

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Nigel. Yup that was definitely on the list of possibilities. If you get a chance have a look at an old map of the area, the only question mark with that theory was the fact that the tunnel turned out towards the valley, as if it ended there.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

the instrumentals are fitting, sad and something you’d hear remembering something that you don’t want to forget

[@Brian3989]

Only just found these videos. I have an OS one inch map "Wye Valley & Lower Severn" dated 1961. Most of the lines from Lower Lydbrook, Coleford, and Parkend to Lydney are shown as Mineral Line, Sidings or Tramway. Forest of Dean was an ancient coal mining area. One thought about lighting is LED camera floodlights, battery powered also plenty of spare batteries.

[@pwhitewick]

Yup that's what I'm after.... Camera Flood Light. 👍

[@grantbaker3336]

Moseley Green tunnel was used as an ammunition store during WW2 and the Northern airshaft was capped and had an anti aircraft gun emplacement on the top of it, a searchlight was placed on top of the large spoil tip just to the South.

[@ianddavidson1]

Redbrook Tunnel 1, Redbrook Tunnel 2, Newland tunnel: WW2 RAF Munitions storage Moseley green Tunnel: WW2 RAF Munitions storage Euroclydon Tunnel, near Drybrook: WW2 Admiralty Munitions storage (including torpedoes)

[@lancedow7039]

There is a lifetimes history in the Royal Forest of Dean, & they are a couple of mines still working one coal & one iron ore & ochres, just so much living history,

[@hubertvancalenbergh9022]

I too came here via Martin Zero. Love the mossy stones, absolutely hate the graffiti. Greetings from a Belgian anglophile!

[@pwhitewick]

Welcome to the channel Hubert.

[@sparkyprojects]

There are such things as 'alpine tunnels', which as you rightly said are built to protect the line (or road etc) There's a few in Bristol (near the clifton suspension bridge) and on the south coast iirc,

[@pwhitewick]

Yup, never really considered them as tunnels, but why not.

[@finlayfraser9952]

If you could show map locations it would help, have to chase you around on old and OS maps an google maps. Still great fun, thanks!

[@HenrysAdventures]

Another brilliant video! A great bit of entertainment to watch with my beer this evening'~!

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Henry. Hope you enjoyed it.

[@saltleywsc]

another cracking video thanks guys !

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Saltleywsc 👍

[@PhilipGeoghegan-mx5qz]

Brilliant thanks both.

[@michaelpilling9659]

My mum was brought up in Symonds Yat. We had many Easter holidays there in my childhood. I can clearly remember the railway being in use. Unfortunately in January 1959, it closed. Easter holiday that year was not the same.

[@markthomas9650]

I remember walking Coppet Hill tunnel years ago as my partner lived almost right by it. the curve is very gradual so you wont see it easily. Shame you cant go through it anymore.

[@Locutus]

11:25 - that's a nice smile - a smile of love! C

[@StephenWilliams]

Really enjoyed this one, as I have a particular liking for tunnels. Couple of questions. Are you recording details of tunnels, as in names (where known) and grid refs. on your website?Also, what was the torch you were using? It put out some impressive light. Look forward to the next instalment. PS Love the new hairstyle :-)

[@pwhitewick]

Mine or Rebecca's? 😉 Well, if enough people ask,.... I feel it's probably worth adding on the same map as the stations we visit. I/we just need to convince the person (Rebecca) that does the coding for the map! 😬😁

[@StephenWilliams]

I thought you might ask that :-)

[@pwhitewick]

@@StephenWilliams Forgot to mention. All tunnels visited are now being added to the map!

[@MrJeep75]

Thanks for sharing

[@oddwad6290]

I strongly recommend a reading of Robert G. Lewis's "Handbook of American Railways " for some excellent ideas to consider for presenting an Railway . It's lists the most important details of each railroad in brief . Another possibly good idea would be to focus on just railway structures and equipment in general showing as much of the engineering . Otherwise , I enjoyed the video , but wonder at what could be discovered if one digs deeper . Thanks !

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks for the feedback Montie. It's always very difficult to get a balance right of what to show whilst keeping things fun and entertaining.

[@oddwad6290]

@@pwhitewick I couldn't agree more . It amazes me to see so much done for so many with so little . I suspect pressure at some point will encourage several similar sites to combine and have a deeper and tighter focus like so many industries have done the past . I hope you and Martin will be one of the successful ones . Thanks again .

[@johncranwell1768]

I have thoroughly enjoyed your films...really interesting. But I'd love to know what the backing track is? Its awesome! Keep up the great work.

[@pwhitewick]

Ah sorry John. This was quite. While back and unfortunately I didn't make a note.

[@bgoth1435]

I've been through the Coppet Hill tunnel before they bricked it up again, must have been something like 2016 I think. I believe that the north end of that tunnel has since collapsed. I have visited all the railway tunnels in the Forest of Dean and several of the tramway tunnels although not your tunnel no. 2 so I now need to visit this one! That final tunnels btw is an absolute death trap, its probably as well they have resealed it, when you could get into it masses of the brick lining was falling in

[@mbak7801]

Any idea about the blocked off doorway in the rock face above the Symonds Yat tunnel 10:29 ?

[@pwhitewick]

No clue at the moment.

[@omnibus360]

Somewhere near where you were (perhaps more towards the Brecons) is a long tunnel that’s well trodden on a slight curve in the hills. I’ve been trying to find it for years but had no luck! Downside of being 14 at the time is that I’m not 100% sure where we were staying so I can’t radiate the search out from one point. Gah. I think it was on the eastern edge of the brecons somewhere, maybe 4-5 miles from a canal and low level mountains. Very descriptive eh;)

[@pwhitewick]

Thats a tough one Tulki. Abernat?

[@omnibus360]

The Whitewicks I’ve had a look and I’d say with about 60% certainty that it could be Torpentau. At least it’s similar location and length/curve. Plus it was certainly wet in there like they all report! Out of curiosity have you or someone else started mapping railway sections that are walkable? Or at least notable tunnels/viaducts etc visible from public space.

[@pwhitewick]

@@omnibus360 Torpantau is nice and reasonable accessible. It's 666 yards long and on a tight curve. Video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/emPFkHiurr6HY7c

[@RichardWatt]

@@pwhitewick "666 yards long" - that's a bit of an unfortunate number, if you think about it.

[@darrenfitch]

Not letting viewers down Paul and Rebecca.... In fact you go further than most of us would dare venture ourselves

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Daz. A little less wet under foot and we'd have made it!

[@darrenfitch]

@@pwhitewick God on you both for getting that far and showing the rest of us something that we would not otherwise of seen

[@terryhalford3549]

The shaft that was capped on the Mosley tunnel was capped during WW2 there was a pillbox type structure on top with a 20mm anti aircraft gun the remains of the stone work is down over the bank if you had followed the path down you would have got to a stone stairway which takes you to the tunnel entrance. During WW2 for a short time the tunnel was used for the storage of explosives by the army.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Terry. We weren't feeling brave enough for the bank above the steps and went for the long route instead. Hindsight!

[@Elmware]

Go into your GoPro settings and set Connections to off, when not in use. This should help conserve the batteries.

[@Deebz270]

Here's one interesting tunnel you guys might want to check out, but it does entail a trip to Cornwall! . The Par to Newquay branch line. Which is still active, by the way. However, at Indian Queens, just after leaving Gos Moor, around 100 meters past the current road bridge, the single track line originally beared left (west) beneath the hill (denoted by mining chimneys on the crown of the hill...). The tunnel is accesible (with permision - though being a 'rebel urban explorer,' I chose not to bother... ) at the eastern portal. It runs in a slight curve to the left, for around several hundred meters. The lead up to the eastern portal, runs through a splended cutting (very negotiable) with a high span, brick-built, field access bridge about half-way along. The tunnel is pretty wet and damp, with a small stream runnning out of it. Ground at the entrance is a little boggey, but firm underfoot. . However, I found the western portal of the tunnel to be partially bricked up, with a small (standard-sized) door opening. This end of the tunnel and west cutting, is flooded to around a meter or so and given I had no waders, I didn't bother to investigate further. . The story is, that post Beaching, where much of the track had been double tracked, BR decided that upkeep of the tunnel was proving too cost prohibitive, so they decided to construct a 'salient', single track around the hill, where the track then meets up with the old trackbed (from the west cutting...) and then proceeds across the A39 linkage dual carriageway (A 30 to A39) and on to St Columb Rd station (still active). The 'confluence' of the old trackbed at the eastern end of the cutting, is still discernable from the train, though one has to be quick to observe it. . The Par to Newquay branch line (which runs down the valley, beneath where I live...) is beautiful and during summer months, one can often glimpse (and hear) restored steam locomotives, which do heritage runs to Newquay. The line is now mostly passernger transport to and from Par-Newquay, but the lower portion is still linked to the mineral industry (at Bugle), though I've not witnessed any mineral rolling stock being hauled. . The history of this line is quite fascinating and it was originally part of the China Clay industry, linking the GWR West Coast mainline to several villages (like St Dennis) and of course, via Gos Moor, onto Newquay/Par. Some of southern portion of that line is still in use by the china clay industry only.

[@chrishall3802]

Love to join you on one of your explorations!!

[@janeashby7119]

Just to say you never let us down! You’re staying safe and we did see the tunnel. Even if we don’t see anything, we tune in because we love your adventures. Also, can you recommend and good video editors? I’m predominantly wanting to use my iPad and iPhone but I would appreciate advice. Also, what sort of torch is it you have?

[@pwhitewick]

If you are only editing basic videos and only using your phone etc you can start with Power Director. This is a good stepping stone to then be bale to use it on a computer. We use premiere pro at the moment having started on Power Director. Email us is you need more help.

[@janeashby7119]

The Whitewicks fabulous thank you!

[@RichardWatt]

On my computer, I have a copy of OpenShot, which is free to use, but I know of other KZbinrs who use Sony Vegas or Filmora.

[@davedavebtx2198]

tunnel eg arches,rely on the weight of the ground to keep them strong if the soil has been removed then the forces won't keep the tunnels in there correct shape (tunnel 6 ) I agree that it been shortened.

[@robbruggink8937]

I was considering the direction of Travel for Loaded or Empty Vehicles influenced many contours en-route.

[@pwhitewick]

Excellent Rob, had not considered this at all. Can you give some examples?

[@PhilipInCoventry]

Brill, brill & brill.

[@davidphillips2259]

Where do you get your old maps of railways

[@pwhitewick]

Mainly National Library of Scotland.

[@ian-o2e]

Great video -love your enthusiasm.

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Ian.

[@barrie5852]

Being lazy I've not checked to see if someone else answered your question about why the cables coming out of the Symonds Yat tunnel so apologies if you have been told. I was friends with someone who worked at the Royal Lodge hotel at the other side of the tunnel and he told me that because the hotel was in a gorge they could only get TV reception by running cables through the tunnel to arieals/sat dishes on the other side of the gorge.

[@pwhitewick]

Nope you are the first to answer that Barrie.

[@salyman1]

super video, pneu servis tunnel,

[@malcwhite]

2nd tunnel. If you'd have gone 0.5 miles up the road there is a big car park and you can walk down to the old railway line and along it past the old iron works to the tunnel. The iron works are fascinating in themselves

[@MsVanorak]

The second one was a route down from a quarry above I reckon, It could have been a tramway that stopped suddenly and tipped over an edge into the railway valley below or it could have tipped into a wooden/tin chute to go above and over the railway. Just what I think.

[@pwhitewick]

That would def make sense.

[@mikebrown3772]

The second tunnel at Point Quarry was to accommodate the Severn and Wye's Millwall (or Darkhill) branch tramroad while their Coleford branch railway was constructed to supercede it. Most of the tramroad was formally abandoned the year after the railway was completed.

[@shilks8773]

You need to get yourself a tracked robot camera to get the pics inside the blocked off tunnels. Prob easier said than could be acheived.

[@markandkiminnewzealand2702]

Hey Guys Great video Maybe a drone would help out with those difficult to get to spots Really miss “right to roam” from when I lived in Cambs Greetings from Christchurch NZ Mark

[@furryanimal8776]

Amazing.

[@gntlmn1956]

Great video, but I do have one question. I don't live in your country, and I believe that I heard your wife mention (@ 10;28) that the tunnel has a radius of 14 chains. Please explain what this means, or how it might convert to a USA railroad. Thank You.

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you. Ok so there are 80 chains to one mile. So a chain is a unit of length equal to around 22 yards. If you know the set length of a tunnel the curve (if there was one) is measured as a radius in chains. So for example if the length of the tunnel is 500 yards on a curved radius of 14 chains, (Approx 308 yards) you can measure the tightness of the curve. So 308 yards would be as the crow flies end to end.

[@tomstickland]

I've been in 1 and 4 and know people who've been in 5 and 7. I need to look in the map top see what the real name is for Euroclidian tunnel but that's open at one end. There's also a good colliery tunnel you got close to.

[@pwhitewick]

Let me know if you find anything Tom

[@tomstickland]

@@pwhitewick This one maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=17&lat=51.8634&lon=-2.5202&layers=168&b=1

[@tomstickland]

@@pwhitewick and this one maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=18&lat=51.8282&lon=-2.5471&layers=168&b=1

[@ksweeney1977]

More information on Tunnel No. 6 or Trafalgar Arch here rogerfarnworth.com/2019/09/24/trafalgar-colliery-and-railway/ Trafalgar Arch - between Serridge Junction and Drybrook Road, the Severn and Wye Railway ran very close to the large spoil heap of Trafalgar Colliery. The line was protected by a stone retaining wall braced at one point by a brick-lined stone arch. This was built by the S&WR at a cost of about £200 in 1878 or thereabouts, after lengthy negotiations with the colliery company, who wanted to tip spoil on the other side of the line. It is uncertain whether or not the bridge was used for this purpose and tipping appears to have continued on the original site. In 1887 the retaining wall was damaged by a major slip. It was replaced by a stronger one in 1904, but this soon collapsed, and was eventually rebuilt. The bridge was renovated when the old railway track-bed became a cycleway. The arch was restored to as-new condition before October 2001.

[@SFgaming007]

Whats the name of the song used in the first tunnel?

[@barryansell5981]

did you report all those "dumped"tyres?