Hi folks, just a short one from is this week. Do you like the balance of mixed videos (tunnels, stations old routes)? Or do you have a particular favourite??
@harleancarpenter80435 жыл бұрын
I like the mix, being honest. Of course, close to me is the jumble of railway, and canal tunnels up at Marsden, though as that line is still open, maybe you should set Vicki & Geoff to go investigate those? Other one in my life (again line open) is the Higham to Strood section, where the canal tunnel became the rail tunnel in time. Oh, and is it wrong to add, I love Rebecca's leggings, though I know they wouldnt look so good on a 61 year old, lol.
@Beatlefan675 жыл бұрын
Bring it all on Paul - your interests are mine!
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Ah thanks John.
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Harlean, we love the mix too!
@hubertvancalenbergh90225 жыл бұрын
It's all equally interesting. You might include little-known old ruins and follies. These may have been covered elsewhere, of course. Btw, I like your dress, Rebecca.
@Yorkshirelad58 Жыл бұрын
My friends and I navigated north through the canal tunnel in 2019. A nerve wracking experience especially after you enter doors are closed behind you to help the engine fume extraction. this plunges you into darkness immediately. I don't remember seeing the exit at the other end for what seemed an eternity. It took a very long time with barely any light and an ever reducing head room as the tunnel roof became lower towards the middle. Not in a rush to repeat the experience. However, glad I can say I have done it.
@timmorodgers42714 жыл бұрын
I explored the northern portal of the southern tunnel for the first time this week, despite living in the area for 15 years. I found it fascinating! Years ago I walked a few hundred yards into the southern portal, the fencing was damaged. Very exciting but apparently some of the air is very stale and unfit to breathe the further in you go. The Canal and riverside trust occasionally run canal barge trips though the Harecastle canal tunnel, usually twice a year. Well worth a visit.
@TrueSuccessTools3 жыл бұрын
I live in Portland, Oregon. I confess to having been in love with trains all my life. No surprise then that I find your adventures fascinating. Apparently we share an admiration of the craftsmanship that went into the bridges, stations as well as the brick and stone tunnel portals. I appreciate you providing maps, which gives me a point of reference--especially since I have never been to England in my life. Well done!
@colinburton1135 жыл бұрын
Hi Paul and Rebecca, love everything you do, get to see things I would never see in a lifetime. Thank you both so much time. xxx
@letshaveago22013 жыл бұрын
I remember these tunnels from the 1970s as a child
@rydermike335 жыл бұрын
Thank you both, fascinating. These tunnels are only a few miles from where I live and can remember taking the train and passing through the 'old' tunnels at the start of our summer holidays in North Wales. Wonderful, thanks again.
@flippop1015 жыл бұрын
I’m enjoying all the work you do and I personally feel that the mix of routes/infrastructure/local interest/general railway history is exactly right!
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Philip. We love the balance at the moment but don't want to upset our loyal viewers.
@MichaelEhling5 жыл бұрын
It's amazing to see the ingenuity, investment, and infrastructure here. I haven't thought that 18th- and 19th century works were so clever. But mile long tunnels and tunnels over tunnels?! Very clever indeed.
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Absolutely, the age of ingenuity indeed. When you think about the context of what came before these amazing structures and the evolution of their construction over we such a short period it's remarkable.
@jordanthomas783 жыл бұрын
At 6:14, just to the left hand side of the house on the corner, is one of three ventilation shafts. Also, I popped by the Southern tunnel today (Northern Portal) and inside a second pair of gates have appeared. Also, at the bottom of the maintenance steps (which were built when the tunnels were so are lethal) a shopping trolley has appeared. I ventured down to the tunnels four weeks ago, they are an interesting piece of history in Kidsgrove. Love the videos, keep up the good work. Jordan Thomas
@iainhunneybell3 жыл бұрын
Another fascinating story. Having navigated the Harecastle tunnel ... and not the loading gauges ... it it considerably lower inside and not so good for those that don’t like enclosed spaces and lifts! ... I wasn’t aware of or have gotten about the older Brindley tunnel. Makes me wonder why the original railing line didn’t take the ‘loop’ around bearing in mind tunnels were all dug by hand and even greater effort than today. And finally, where did you find the wonderful ‘Becs’ who is so happy to go exploring what have been described to me as; “piles of old stones”? What a lovely lady 🙂
@michaelpilling96594 жыл бұрын
I did enjoy that. Thank you for a most interesting and informative film
@lindamccaughey88005 жыл бұрын
Really enjoyed that thanks. Just love brickwork in those tunnels. Just fantastic. I await eagerly for next video
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Linda. The brickwork never ceases to amaze us.
@martinhunter95325 жыл бұрын
So glad I found this channel, came from Martin Zero who I also recently found by chance. I love history, thoe I’m not a railway enthusiast. The way you edit and present your videos is very professional, combine this with your very likeable personalities and you get a channel that should grow and grow. Love it
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Martin. Very kind. It seems to be getting there, obviously a tad slower than we would like. But we enjoy this little hobby so all good.
@dickiedollop5 жыл бұрын
Great videos both of you thanks for your interest and effort in producing them 👍🏻
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Thank you Richard.
@JDLeonard745 жыл бұрын
Dig-dig-diggity dig dig dig.. lay stone work... Dig dig! Amazing stuff you have over there! That is some beautiful old stonework as well!😚👌 If you two and Martin have taught me anything. It's that asking a Brit if they can dig it? The answer is a resounding "YES!" Yes they can. lol😄👏👏👏
@bobparsons774 жыл бұрын
Fascinating video indeed.
@pwhitewick4 жыл бұрын
Thanks Bob.
@ghewitt943 жыл бұрын
As you say, fascinating. Wouldn’t the railway tunnels make a great cycle way or walk, as you showed in Bath. Gorgeous portal stone work too. Most enjoyable.
@GhostTheory5 жыл бұрын
Nice production, you guys must do so much travelling to get to these places. Also like the presenting ans learning white a lot about these tunnels. I might even look for some to explore too.
@lawrencebradley78203 жыл бұрын
You are Urban Explorers! We live in Goldenhill, cycle the canal every day, and still learnt new things from your video!
@gillchatfield32315 жыл бұрын
Thanks for this. The railway tunnels were my favourite part of the journey from Etruria to Crewe when I was a child. Sadly, never made it through the canal tunnel. The boating holiday I was on with a group of friends went though it the day my sister got married, so I was busy being a bridesmaid!
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Ah that's a shame. Quite an experience In should imagine.
@paulriggs425 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the video, it brought back some good memories of a canal boat trip back from the 90’s
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Cheers Paul. 👍👍
@davidcutts26505 жыл бұрын
The mix of rail,trail, track & canals is good for me. Keep up the great job you are doing. 👍👍😎
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Thanks David.
@radioman11705 жыл бұрын
Great video - thank you both - It's been a long time since I went exploring down in the cutting - when I was younger everything there was open and you could wander through to the active line or go into the other tunnels and see how far you would dare to go. Glad to see all fenced up and secure now. It's not so easy to park near the Tunstall side of the Harecastle canal tunnels unless you go to Bathpool's other car park but, believe me, that's a dodgy place to park most of the time, though you can then walk past the JCB warehouse back to them. Again, great stuff and thank you!
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Cheers Leigh. We had wondered about the area so it was a little bit of an unknown for us. Still a nice little explore with the limited time we had.
@thomasolsson88165 жыл бұрын
Nice video as always. Iam impressed of your interests of old railway and tunnels. Thanks for cheering your work whit all of us. Keep on the good work.
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Thomas
@saltleywsc5 жыл бұрын
Great video didn't know about the railway tunnels when I navigated the canal tunnel many moons ago very informative and well shot video !...music was once again superb!
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Merv. Much appreciated.
@terryansell66414 жыл бұрын
So interesting as usual thank you from New Zealand
@markb90135 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much guys for your regular videos... as a Brit now in Canada I love watching your content.. very informative.. Thank you..
@Mika_Storm5 жыл бұрын
Interesting rail/canal crossover!
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Crossover is the word!
@nialloneill4265 жыл бұрын
Your video tours of the disused transport ways are excellent. The Google maps side-by-side with old maps make snese of it all and make it so interesting and attractive. Its just the ticket. They are perfectly judged for anoraks like me. Keep doing what you're doing, I'll keep watching.
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Niall, very much appreciated.
@ianr5 жыл бұрын
Great video, really pleased you have done these tunnels. A lot of history in that area.🙂👍
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Cheers Ian. A couple of hours to kill so worth the quick explore.
@justvin72145 жыл бұрын
Thumbs up for the amount of time and effort you put into these vids, long or short they are interesting so I don't mind short ones.
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Vin. Much appreciated
@greatbritishentertainmentl56365 жыл бұрын
Very nicely presented using Google Maps, OS Maps and real/old photos + videos - most interesting.
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Much appreciated.
@shaunwest36125 жыл бұрын
Great video Paul and Rebecca, very interesting, great map work as well 👌😀
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Cheers Shaun. One take as well.... 😉
@andrewphillips93915 жыл бұрын
I believe that the Brindley tunnel had wharves inside for loading iron ore which used to be mined from Harecastle Hill. It's the reason the canal water is such a weird colour at the northern end
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Ah I never knew that. There are old mines directly above so that would make sense.
@hullhistorynerd5 жыл бұрын
Those decorations on the tunnel entrances are gorgeous! I love the way the Victorians and Edwardians liked to embellish their constructions.
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
They are something else aren't they!
@christinecrockford16545 жыл бұрын
Is so sad they feel the need to block the tunnels up, even if it give some homes people some shelter in the winter. I love the history. Thanks again for such nice video. Xx
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Christina. I think the southern was is very flooded bit not 100% sure. It would be good to see at least the middle open for sure.
@andrewphillips93915 жыл бұрын
when I went to the southern end in the mid 90s, it wasn't blocked off. I think it's flooded in places and the roof may have come down too.
@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS5 жыл бұрын
another great presentation
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Keith.
@sapper825 жыл бұрын
And a nice shot to finish of a Class 153 on the Derby-Crewe shuttle.
@andrewfanner22455 жыл бұрын
Great video there folks, I've been through the canal tunnel several times, knew the rail tunnels exsisted but not what a complex setup it all was. I trust you managed to visit at least one of the excellent local pubs. Some good closed libnes to see in the area, including tramways here and there.
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Andrew. Yes a lot of exploring to do here another day.
@johnlaw33235 жыл бұрын
As always very interesting and enjoyable. Keep up the good work.
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Cheers John.
@terryansell66415 жыл бұрын
Thank you for a another interesting video from New Zealand
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Thank you Terry.
@johntyjp5 жыл бұрын
Amazes me how many bricks went into lining these tunnels! A very intensive labour industry it must ve been!!!
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Very much so. I think it varies quite a bit to depending on the geology, the contractors etc
@edjones3919 Жыл бұрын
most enjoyable. many thanks
@stubeedoo82595 жыл бұрын
I have just come across your channel. A major hobby of mine is walking abandoned railway lines. Thank you both for taking the time to upload videos, I hope you are able to keep it up. I now plan to watch as many as possible over the winter when the weather stops me from getting out.
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Likewise Stu. Really pleased you've found us and the channel. Get binge watching 😳👍🛤️🎥👍
@billyruss5 жыл бұрын
Explored all three back in the 80s, when I was in uni at Keele (yep, they're part of my tunnel diaries!). Went back for a second visit with some mates, without a torch, and nearly broke my ribs when I fell into one of the inspection pits :-O
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Ouch. Was the pit in the southern tunnel??
@billyruss5 жыл бұрын
@@pwhitewick Yep, at the side. And the crazy thing was, I'd remembered there were pits in the tunnel, but thought they were in the middle, and had told everyone to stick to the sides! Luckily, it was a cold day so I had a really thick coat and jumper on. Bruised for a few weeks though, and the last time I went anywhere without a torch!
@UKSh1thole5 жыл бұрын
Well done guys with your extremely interesting videos! (As a longhaul airline pilot) & am awake at stupid ‘O’ clock around the world your videos brighten up my day/night whenever it may be! Keep it up.
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Ah thank you very much. We are pleased to help!
@thecornerplot3 жыл бұрын
This is where we live lol good informative vid here nice work
@anotherluckyone5 жыл бұрын
Nice job!
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
👍👍
@0000lowrider4 жыл бұрын
Theres also an old loop line and a tunnel you can walk through close by
@McMieke5 жыл бұрын
Brilliant, thank you.
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Thanks John. 👍
@ianbrown91085 жыл бұрын
More tunnels than you can shake a stick at!Very interesting. Love how Telford made the southern canal portal look like a building.
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Yup if you include the new tunnel on the new line there are six in the area.
@ianr5 жыл бұрын
Sorry Ian but the building at the Southern portal was only added in the 1950's. It houses large fans and doors to ventilate the tunnel when boats are passing through. I am not sure if the fans are still in use nowadays.
@exileinderby515 жыл бұрын
@@ianr yes, I think they are as I watch a couple of canal vloggers who have been through and they did mention the fans
@ianbrown91085 жыл бұрын
@@ianr I did think it looked a bit modern, but they did a good job of making it look like it had been there a long time.
@ianr5 жыл бұрын
@@ianbrown9108 Indeed they did.
@morrislouiseeagle71615 жыл бұрын
Nice one again thank you 👏❤️😁x
@Phleeper5 жыл бұрын
There's also a station you've ticked off doing this video. Chatterley Station was situated on the old track bed just up from the canal before you get to the road leading to the southern portal of the southern tunnel.
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Haha.... Missed that!!
@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne5 жыл бұрын
Great video. The tunnels around there also have some very sad connections too, with more than one person losing their life in them....and of course, while you're in the region don't forget to visit the closed station at Radway Green........
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Thank you. Yes I heard of the poor chap that hit his head whilst driving a barge through. Wasn't aware of any others (aside the likely scores of navvies).
@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne5 жыл бұрын
@@pwhitewick I believe the body of Lesley Whittle, victim of the black panther was also found in one of the air vents of one of the tunnels....
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
@@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne yes I think that was the resevoir
@timmorodgers42714 жыл бұрын
@@pwhitewick I think manhole where her body was found is very close to where you were exploring in the cutting between the tunnels, also you didn't mention the famous Kidsgrove Boggart! apparently the ghost of a woman murdered on a canal barge as it passed though the tunnel.
@lyntonprescott34125 жыл бұрын
I like them all since they all have their own fascination. On your recommendation I have been looking at the side to side maps for my local area and the number of closed railway stations is incredible. Many of them gone long before I appeared on the scene, but the old maps are a great memory jogger and I can remember many from my childhood.
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Lynton. We like the mix too and don't want to "typecast" the channel if that's the right phrase.
@Dan23_75 жыл бұрын
Marvellous 👍🏻 A perfect length video to watch as I wait for my last collection 📦 The soot marks in those tunnels must tell some tales
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Dan. Length of a video is always an issue and debating point for us.
@Tobeshadow5 жыл бұрын
Brilliant video as always, thanks. Personally, I really love the mix of content, always fascinating and pleasantly varied each week. Keep up the amazing work!
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Thanks TK. That's the overall goal, to keep a decent mix that caters for a range of topics. Much appreciated.
@stephengiles28735 жыл бұрын
Excellent quality as always fascinating. Is it just me or did they like digging tunnels in the old days more for us to see know. Keep up the good and varied work
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
I'd like to think that, but I guess it was down to cheap labour.
@davie9415 жыл бұрын
hey paul and rebecca , another great video , loved this one , really interesting and loved the shots of the tunnels , great stuff , :) , the mixed is cool :)
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Davie. Glad you are enjoying the mix.
@hanskniezand20495 жыл бұрын
Anything historical is fine by me. Hated history at school but, some undisclosed years later I love it. Especially anything to do with transport.
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Youth is wasted on the young.
@hanskniezand20495 жыл бұрын
@@pwhitewick You're so right. Have you ever thought about taking up philosophy as well as vloging?
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Wisest is he who knows he does not know.
@hanskniezand20495 жыл бұрын
@@pwhitewick Ah, velly wise Glasshopper.
@bobingram69125 жыл бұрын
How to turn a boring brick portal into something fancy - just add some Rebecca sun rays!!! Funny how that fallen tree has taken on the shape of the trackbed🤔 I think you know my answer - just keep doing what you do, it's all food for the historically inquisitive😀
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Bob we shall keep supplying that food!
@mistywolf3125 жыл бұрын
Ahh the victorian ethos, we built it so we're gonna damned well decorate it even though its going to cost us more for the professional masons and hardly anyone but the driver and stoker's will see it.
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Haha.... Yes most certainly that.
@telx20105 жыл бұрын
We only know what we're told, that's what HiStory is all about. Check out Martin Liedtke & Rebel Without a Pause channels to see how the past has all been covered up.
@hairyairey4 жыл бұрын
The Victorians knew that the KZbinrs of the future would see it though! 😂
@JISJ1964 Жыл бұрын
Only the proximity of THE Harecastle tunnel, which I have followed several boats through gives me a definite higher pulse.
@thehermit4075 жыл бұрын
I particularly like station remnants but also like tunnels + any bonus canals. I can recommend Methley, West Yorkshire for 3 stations with an associated building still visible from public roads + platform at Methley South (corrected), all within about a mile of each other. Whilst I love summer, Rebecca isn't investigative 'Indiana' Rebecca without the shineys. Good to see them back and I suggest Paul gets a hat and a bull whip :-)
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Ah thanks for the tip Mr Hermit. I'll work on the indie look!
@owenrichardson14195 жыл бұрын
Hello Guys, back to the good stuff, remnants of Rome is not my thing. Canal and railways, what is not to like. As an aside: I recently listened to an interview with Dave Gorman, the conversation came around to the check shirt, it dawned on me there could be some synergy there? Only a thought. Keep posting Wednesday is now been greatly improved. Thanks.
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Marvelous thanks Owen. Railways will always be at the heart of the channel. But I do love any form of old connection, how people moved around and what motivated them. All good. Dave G. Ha... Could be worse.
@danensis5 жыл бұрын
We tried to walk over the top of the tunnels and took the obvious route up Boathorse Road, thinking that might be the way the boat horses went. Ended up in a very dodgy caravan park and beat a hasty retreat.
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
We did look at a few routes to see if we could see the shafts but go the same vibes as you!
@danensis5 жыл бұрын
@@pwhitewick - there is a footpath, but you have to walk west along Lowlands Road quite a way to find it.
@wetdogFBK5 жыл бұрын
Another great vid. you two 😉
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Thanks 👍👍
@andrewholloway2315 жыл бұрын
ah yes, the Harecastle Tunnel. A while ago now, 1985 I think, during a family holiday on the Trent and Mersey, we cruised through Harecastle tunnel and mum was holding a paraffin tilley lamp to light the way because the headlight tunnel on the boat didn't work.
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Nerves of steel. I'd be hiding in one of the rooms below!
@HenrysAdventures4 жыл бұрын
Another great video! I passed through the newest of the Harecastle Tunnels yesterday. I makes my wonder why they went to the expense of digging the longer tunnels when they could have just gone the route the railway runs today.
@cakeskin33332 жыл бұрын
A few reasons… the current railway alignment isn’t flat, It rises near pool dam then falls back down to kidsgrove. Would likely have caused trouble for the canal builders. The railway however was originally planned to go via the current alignment but the owners of clough hall made a fuss about it going through their land. This wasn’t a problem 120 odd years later when electrification happened
@HenrysAdventures2 жыл бұрын
@@cakeskin3333 Thank you for the info!
@neilhallett98925 жыл бұрын
We have a tunnel on tunel thing going on in Devonport. The LSWR railway goes under the GWR Plymouth Penzancew line, & not alot of space the crown of the LSWR & the trackbed GWR.
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Both active lines?
@neilhallett98925 жыл бұрын
Onty the Ex GWR in use as the ex LSWR taken out of use due to duplication of the route when BR took control
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
@@neilhallett9892 makes sense. Thank you.
@thomasmann92165 жыл бұрын
I'm confused. A canal tunnel, that is still in use, is located on someone's private drive?
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Yes!... We were confused too. We couldn't park anywhere near the entrance as it said "private". We had to park a mile away and walk.
@gteaz5 жыл бұрын
@@pwhitewick It's a public footpath from the towpath leading across Chatterley road.
@hairyairey4 жыл бұрын
@@pwhitewick in a lot of cases lock-keepers houses get sold off as private residences. So although you can still pass through the canal (it's undoubtedly in the deeds) you can't drive there!
@thecornerplot3 жыл бұрын
There is public access to the tunnels
@tobys_transport_videos5 жыл бұрын
Another interesting tale from you two! Between yourselves and Martin you have got me interested in inland rivers and canals. Fancy a waterway going through a tunnel or up a hill?!? Britain has it all and I (as an Aussie that loves Britain) can't wait for Trip 3 and a chance to explore more interesting places. Hopefully I'll get to do a bit more abandoned railway exploring in 2020. Best Wishes, Jason. (Mixed Gauge Videos)
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Jason. Much appreciated.
@imjusthereeatingpopcorn52344 жыл бұрын
I used to live in this town for 20 years. Theres a Headless ghost of a woman who reportedly haunts the canal tunnel
@johnstilljohn31815 жыл бұрын
Mmmmmmm nice.... How often do boats go through now...?
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
No concrete answer but I believe not takes around 45 minutes.
@CheshireTomcat684 жыл бұрын
7:58 Interesting the top third of the 'rays' are made of bricks, not solid stone on just that tunnel. A later fix or cost cutting?
@pwhitewick4 жыл бұрын
Good question!
@320ifq5 жыл бұрын
I always thought the standedge tunnel on the Huddersfield narrow was the longest
@AtheistOrphan5 жыл бұрын
320ifq lucas - Correct.
@joncoe90465 жыл бұрын
Standedge is the longest, highest and deepest tunnel. That's why they said harecastle is the 4th longest.....
@robinhayhurst59439 ай бұрын
You Tube are throwing up old videos of yours for me to watch! Well done You Tube!!!
@GhostTheory5 жыл бұрын
As an add on, it's such a shame so many are barred off.
@johncrwarner5 жыл бұрын
Is the third or northern tunnel inaccessible or was it battery failure that truncated the vid?
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Sorry John. Completely forgot to talk about that. Yes the third tunnel on the railway is still in use.
@ianr5 жыл бұрын
Harecastle North tunnel was opened out when the diversion was built. It was shorter than the Middle and South tunnels so easier just to open it out. Re: Third tunnel, Paul is referring to the new tunnel built when the diversion was built in 1966. That is the only railway tunnel in use.
@craiglogistics20925 жыл бұрын
Scarecastle Tunnel according to @NarrowboatGirl who went through it quite recently, another fascinating video, shame about the battery, did you resuscitate it?
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Craig. I think Cruising the Cut also called it that too.
@AtheistOrphan5 жыл бұрын
I would love to see inside the original Brindley tunnel. Wonder if anyone’s ever taken a canoe through there?
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
I think a canoe was the last chosen method but it's been quite some time.
@AndrewHalliwell5 жыл бұрын
I read that the Brindley tunnel collapsed around about WW1. fortunately the Telford one was in use by then.
@AtheistOrphan5 жыл бұрын
Andrew Halliwell - Oh right, thanks. Be interesting to put a canoe down each end to see how far you could get though!
@wharpblast2645 жыл бұрын
Nice video. One obvious question. Why the need for such long tunnels when they could have used the easier and cheaper 1965 rail route for the original canal rail lines ?
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Very good question. In my experience with old tramroads and such they built countless tunnels when there was zero requirement. I guess labour was cheap?
@phu0105 жыл бұрын
I don't know what the gradients are on the 1965 line, but electric trains are quite good at going up hill. It probably climbs quite a bit from the old alignment before reaching the short summit tunnel. Canals on the other hand have to be perfectly level. The builders probably reckoned it would be quicker for boats to go through a long tunnel, than spend ages locking up and down; not to mention any water supply problems.
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
@@phu010 ah now that's the answer I was looking for!
@phu0105 жыл бұрын
Yeah. I had a look at the gradient profile using the Show Elevation tool in Google Earth Pro. It appears that the new line rises about 20m from the point it leaves the old line to the summit (which is actually just by the southern end of the reservoir) at a challenging gradient of around 3.4%. Even in the 50s steam engines were limited to around 2% and it would have meant messing around with banking engines to go that way.
@wharpblast2645 жыл бұрын
@@phu010 For a canal 20m would be 4 or 5 locks much quicker and cheaper than a tunnel. I read the original canal tunnel was completed 7 years after the remaining canal opened. Some of this was due to difficulties with the tunnel, but sounds like there might have been delays due to disputes over the route. Land ownership perhaps. As well as the cost of the tunnel a lot of lost revenue.
@bigladjonnyboy3975 жыл бұрын
Another great video just a shame it wasn't longer.
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Cheers Jonny. Yup we had just a spare couple of hours but wished we had more.
@juleshathaway38945 жыл бұрын
Very interesting as ever guys thanks. I've done the canal tunnel twice southbound, quite an experience. Not a good idea to be cooking on a gas cooker whilst navigating it due to carbon monoxide build up inside the boat. Several of those inside felt unwell afterwards. Also probably not a good idea to do a canal cruise as a honeymoon if the wife isn't too keen on the whole idea. Ho hum we learn by our mistakes, I'll never do that again.....the honeymoon thing not the tunnel!!!
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Ouch. I'm sure I would be fine going through as long as I wasn't driving.
@memofromessex5 жыл бұрын
Just hold your breath next time!
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
@@memofromessex haha.... For 2.4km good luck with that.
@memofromessex5 жыл бұрын
@@pwhitewick Me and my brothers used to play this game in the car when I went up north to see my dad's family. I think I wee'd myself once in the exertion 😂
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
@@memofromessex Erm...... 😅
@minisareus5 жыл бұрын
To me you only half done the video you didn't do the gap between middle and north tunnel and north portal of North tunnel .you didn't explore chattery station either?
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Yup sorry, we literally had about 2 hours spare as we travelled up north. I fully appreciate there is more here to explore.
@carolinegray31505 жыл бұрын
Good video🚶🏼♀️🚶🏼♂️🚂
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Caroline.
@JimTLonW65 жыл бұрын
The BBC did a play in 1969 called 'Last Train through the Harecastle Tunnel'. A synopsis can be found here... www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/439510/synopsis.html
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Wonderful thank you.
@capncol5 жыл бұрын
Another great video. What’s with the “middle landing” at 0:22 ? 😎😎😂
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Haha.... I was about to pull left.... Honestly.
@bullettube98635 жыл бұрын
It seems like the owners went through a lot of expense to build these tunnels, but the result was lower costs and faster transit times for the actual job of transporting goods. Building locks entailed more labor, plus you had to insure a constant water supply, and the end result was always a worse bottleneck on the route. Going around, ( even if there was a route ), added to the cost because you would have to buy more land plus pay more to the same people who also had to travel longer distances as the canal moved along. Now, what I didn't see was any evidence as to whether they started at both ends, or did they build shafts to have different working heads. Being brick lined makes me think they dug the tunnels through soft material rather then solid rock. Was it like Isambard Brunel's tunnel under the Thames river, where they used a moveable digging wall? You could do a whole series on just how the Navvies dug this one series of tunnels!
@rogerwatson72055 жыл бұрын
Enjoyed the video guys. Actually a good length having just watched it on a lunch break. Is it me or do canal tunnels always have a bit of a creepy feel to them?
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Roger. We agree a sensible length too. Yes.... Very creepy indeed.
@imjusthereeatingpopcorn52344 жыл бұрын
The Kidsgrove bogart haunts the canal tunnel
@T420TOMEXPLORES5 жыл бұрын
That's one way to give out locations
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
....Google maps 3D is just that.
@shexec325 жыл бұрын
Loving the mix of videos on old routes. Unlike what everyone else is telling you, imo, a 10 minute cut is a good length for these videos. PS Have you released your version of the August collab you did with All The Stations?
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Yes... You are right and Geoff would definitely agree with you! We haven't done our version as yet, not 100% sure we will as we spent most of the day yabbering to them and not filming. Maybe one do soon as a little bonus footage.
@gaijininja4 жыл бұрын
You would think that now the railway has gone, the original boat tunnel could reopen, enabling boats to go north in the original, and south in the new.
@pwhitewick4 жыл бұрын
Very true, but I guess the cost involved in that would outweigh the demand. Presume this is a government funded project.
@gaijininja4 жыл бұрын
Indeed. Either that or the roof of the tunnel was damaged by the trains above.
@jamesdavis50965 жыл бұрын
You gonguzzeler!
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
No..... Never. 😳🛤️🛤️🛤️🛤️🛤️🛤️
@Peasmouldia5 жыл бұрын
A word about all the poor sods who gave their lives in the construction of these tunnels would be good. God rest their souls.
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Yup. Little details about that with these very early tunnels so it's speculation as to every aspect. We are soon considering an "accident" playlist where matters of such sensitivity will be addressed.
@Peasmouldia5 жыл бұрын
Thanks. What inspired my comment was an article I read on the construction of these tunnels in Backtrack magazine back in the '90s. If I remember correctly, which I often don't, there is a memorial in a local churchyard to an accident in the construction of the original canal tunnel. I had a gander on the interweb and didn't find anything. I've got the mag somewhere, I'll try and dig it out. All the best.
@timmorodgers42714 жыл бұрын
Apparently nobody was killed in the building of the "new" canal tunnel,I'm not so sure about the others.
@rrich528064 жыл бұрын
You all need to contract a Narrow Boat to take tunnel trips,
@davidwall77475 жыл бұрын
Cut out the 'musak' when you have nothing to say - very distracting. And very loud in places.
@pwhitewick5 жыл бұрын
Sorry to disappoint David, but if you'll have seen any of our videos you'll know how important the music is to us.
@bohicajohnson72032 жыл бұрын
I came here after watching Country House Gent go through the Harecastle Tunnel