Why was this Tunnel Pointless. The Haddon Story

Massive thanks to Positec UK, who lent us those torches to trial for the day. We loved them, you can look at their products here: www.ebay.co.uk/str/worxposite...
Item in Video:
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1840710248... and www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1836278540...
You can also find Mr Martin Zero's channel here: / martinzero
Welcome to the Story of Haddon Tunnel, where we are joined by Martin and Liam and set about to explore Haddons 1000 yard extremely picturesque and yet pointless offering. So why was the abandoned Tunnel a completely pointless exercise?
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[@pwhitewick]

TWO THINGS: 1) Massive thanks to Positec UK, who lent us those torches to trial for the day. We loved them, you can look at their products here: www.ebay.co.uk/str/worxpositecshop?_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2563 Item in Video: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184071024859?hash=item2adb7cf0db%3Ag%3A1dUAAOSw6tNd6OZN and www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183627854064?hash=item2ac112b0f0%3Ag%3AQvMAAOSwLeFcNchk 2) We were a tad unsure of the fate of Alfred mentioned in the story. We think we have misread the information and Alfred did sadly pass away on that fateful day. You can also find Mr Martin Zero's channel here: kzbin.info

[@mattlawton4715]

I have been in there year ago you could get through at the flooded end. They block and flooded it so to stop people exploring.

[@rdbjrseattle]

You might want to look into the railway gun tunnels and the fate of Patience Ransley.

[@mattlawton4715]

@@rdbjrseattle sounds interesting I think I will do that thank you 👍

[@thesteelrodent1796]

the one thing about how they brick up the tunnel openings like that, is that it prevents the tunnel from draining and ventilating correctly as you can see. It clearly has some significant drain system in the floor, which is unusual for tunnels from that period, but the brick walls across the openings just hold back the water and causes more damage because the water will force itself through the main structure. It is far, far better to use open fencing so water and air can get through. By not allowing the brickwork to breathe the moisture problems become worse, and when you then have a lake building up on the one end it's just a matter of time before the water rips the bricks apart. It doesn't take much to maintain these old tunnels, as long as they're kept open. Closing them up just accelerates the deterioration and is literally the worst thing you can do for old structures.

[@BlackDragonWitheHawk]

I think they wall them up because of insurance and trying to keep people out... Never mind the tunnel collapsing or deteriating, that's a problem a person after us has to decide... classic modern management thinking

[@tommyfred6180]

yah it can't breath and its killing the structure. really sad.

[@fairwitness7473]

nur rustorezistaŝtala rato scius ion tian.

[@thebrowns5337]

The drainage system isn't uncommon. It was actually working in places too. Just needs jetting on a few sections by the look of it. Airflow was fine as well. If it were not then these 4 intrepid explorers would be done for. The walls at either end are ventilated and there ard air shafts as shown. The engineers know water will come into the tunnel. This relieves the pressure behind the walls, it's a good thing. It gets a problem if you repoint tge stone or brickwork with midern cement water as that orevents water coming through. Lime mortar with weepholes, as we saw, is the way to go. Lastly the fact you can see tge water is not deep shows it is getting away. This tunnel is very old,unused and not maintained for a long time and is still sound for the most part, despite it's shallow nature and poor ground conditions. I wouldn't worry - except for that concrete blick wall at the end isn't designed, or strong enough, to hold back deep water as we saw in the cutting outside. It will give way at some point. When it does it'll just push open that steel doir at the other end and travel down the line.

[@trevcam6892]

@@thebrowns5337 It's the same with old houses with solid brick walls and lime mortar, like mine. They need to breathe or you get condensation and damp. Wall insulation in such houses is a really bad idea in the long term whether it's inside or outside. The walls can't breathe.

[@Bobrogers99]

I think of the engineering skill and artistry, and the countless hours of hard labor required to lay all that stone and brick (indeed, to cut and shape each stone and make the brick), and then to have it all end in tragedy.

[@Teesbrough]

Fascinating story. This cut and cover tunnel was being built at the exact same time as the Metropolitan Railway’s first cut and cover line in London. Having watched Martin’s video first, thank you for revealing the camera does sometimes lie!

[@pwhitewick]

Haha.... the camera often lies for us!

[@MrMechan001]

you know one thing i love is the navvys, im a mechanical fitter that works in opencast coal mines in scotland, now we have 400 tonne excavators/diggers that do the massive amount of digging to get to the coal seams. but the name for them are navvys. the mine i work in we have 4 navvys doing the work of 100s of men. bit of pointless imformation i wanted to share lol great video as always.

[@leroyholm9075]

Dear Martin Liam Paul & Rebecca That is a serious and highly crafted tunnel. A very well put together and very informative video. This well illustrates the incredible problems with water that the mid 19th Century engineers had to face. Well done team!

[@Kae6502]

Love Martin's channel! Both of your channels have great content. For me, living in America's midwest, I get to see places I'll never see in real life and learn their history. I also get to bask in your lovely accents. Thank you all! :)

[@brucehubbard7565]

They dont have accents...you ex-colonials do! hehehe

[@Kae6502]

@@brucehubbard7565 And we can't even spell 'colour' properly. ;)

[@brucehubbard7565]

@@Kae6502 we give you the richest and most varied vocabulary of any language in history, and you mangle it! What is wrong with the letter U? As in colour, labour, flavour, etc. If you hadn’t rebelled in the 1760s you’d also be able to appreciate the subtleties of leg spin….

[@Kae6502]

@@brucehubbard7565 I used to drive my 8th grade english teacher crazy by using the UK spelling of words. I would always argue that my spelling was correct. Eventually she gave up and stopped marking my spelling as wrong. :)

[@forkliftofzen5318]

@@brucehubbard7565 Yes, so 'rich and varied that anytime one of you all ends up on TV they have to put English subtitles under a English speaking person so that the rest of the English speaking world can sort of get a rough idea of what your banging on about.

[@leroyholm9075]

A big thumbs up for the idea of a forthcoming joint effort this year.

[@SteamCrane]

Spectacular tunnel! Thanks for showing it, and any future collaborations would be great!

[@ronaldderooij1774]

In the Netherlands we do the same nowadays. Large stretches of railway underground to avoid it being seen by people above ground.

[@dtb2654]

great to see you all together again, I'm off to watch Martin's now, I pass Haddon everyday on my work commute so will give you a thought tomorrow.

[@trevcam6892]

There's a little side story regarding the Midland Railway line along the Wye valley, now the very popular multi-user Monsal Trail. The ill-fated Lancashire, Derby and East Coast Railway, LDECR, was supposed to connect the east and west coasts but never got past Chesterfield on its westward route to Lancashire due to cost. It seems that the route was going to be along more or less the same route up the Wye valley with a high viaduct over the existing Monsal Head viaduct and onward to Manchester. The unintended terminus was the Market Place station in Chesterfield with only the east coast route finished, much of it using lines belonging to other companies. Long gone now but close to the existing Portland Hotel. There was a magnificent LDECR high viaduct at Horns Bridge in Chesterfield passing over the LMS railway and the LNER railway. Now gone, of course. I remember as a boy going on a train excursion to Skegness on the LDECR and in 1948 there was a George Stephenson centenary exhibition at the Market Place station that I went to. The LNER line and it's Chesterfield station is now also gone and much of it a road bypass. There is a disused tunnel running under the town. Patrick Dickinson has a KZbin video on that one.

[@JayH7745]

Very enjoyable video. I love seeing all of you together. I watch both channels all the time. Thanks. 🤗

[@mikehindson-evans159]

Thanks for another fascinating walk and historical lesson around another part of the UK's railway heritage. Your preparation, dedication, research and enthusiasm are all appreciated. The torches look rather useful as well.

[@michaelbartle7354]

Brilliant getting the four of you together . Love Martin’s content as well 👍

[@bazmurphy7792]

You got some beautiful still photos there and I love the history talk of the way in which it was built. Thanks for all the videos Princess Rebecca and Prince Paul put up.

[@BMrider75]

@ 5.00mins the JRR Tolkien reference made me smile.

[@jonathonjubb6626]

I used to live three miles away! Lovely part of the world.

[@EeRocKK]

Sure, Martin Zero is royalty for this sort of thing, but so are you!

[@lindamccaughey6669]

That was fabulous, love it when you get together with Martin. Love his idea. Really loved this. A beautiful tunnel. Personally I would have no problem with a train going thru my yard. Thanks for taking me along. Please stay safe and take care

[@petedemaio168]

Great concise history Paul. Wonderful to see you guys and Martin together again. I'm originally from that area and I've an obsession with that line closure.

[@bobemmerson1580]

Nice to see that a Lord of the Rings fan has been there and added the appropriate inscription to the entrance.

[@damonrobus-clarke533]

Ah yes I remember! Grumpy Gandalf!

[@TheLowerman]

Love your videos! So cool to work with Martin on this one. Love his channel as well! Thanks for you hard work!

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you. We love working with Mr Zero too

[@johnledingham852]

A thoroughly enthralling episode. Thank you so very much for your dedication in keeping us informed of the efforts engaged in years gone by to produce rail travel. That was really hard work way back then. And they carried the risks on their shoulders. I really admire those people who believed in the dream, that rail transport was the way of the future. They bent their backs, and they swung their picks. Never complaining of RSI (repeat strain injury) or other modern nonsense that makes one hurt or sweat.

[@ValeriePallaoro]

I gotta say; I'm with Haddon. That steam train woulda run right past my front door and I, too, would find it unseemly. I think it's quite rude of you to call him a 'pesky land owner'. No matter how he's portrayed by the Midland Rail. Very nice tunneling, though. And great solutions for all the problems they encountered. And you're so lucky to be able to walk it, those photos are stunning!

[@mattlawton4715]

I click on your comment it's not there I can not read it.?

[@mattlawton4715]

All I can see is. If thay wa

[@exileinderby51]

Good to see you both on a new adventure as well as with Martin, two of my favourite channels, now off to see what Martin has to say.

[@johnsamson-snell9558]

Thank you all for the content. Really interesting and very well produced. I subscribe to both your channel and Martin’s channels so thank you both for the interesting collaboration. 👍

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks for the sub John

[@drubrooke-taylor8261]

I can remember, and knew well, that bit of line when it was open and worked by steam. From recollection, at the Bakewell end, where the pond is that you found, there was a signal box and a lay by siding on the west side. The main line was on a more or less continual incline from Rowsleay to Peak Forest (NE of Buxton). The siding would have been level. So it's probably the track bed of that which is holding the water in. Because of the long climb almost all northbound goods trains had an extra engine banking at the back, all the way to Peak Forest or Buxton depending on which way the train went after Millers Dale.

[@freqeist]

love your haircut Rebecca..and the facial expressions are very funny so respect to Paul for keeping a straight face..

[@pilpelet100]

Thanks for posting. I watched Martin's as well. Both excellent.

[@Lichfeldian--Suttonian]

Great video. Thanks.

[@BrasherFox]

Great to see you with Martin, I live in the Gtr Manchester area and do enjoy Martins channel along with yours.

[@Hairnicks]

Wonderful, Martin's version last night, and yours this morning, such a treat, my two favourite exploring channels. Great video, I love the poetic licence in Martin's story to the reality of yours, so funny to see both versions, you should all be members of the actors union! Keep it coming guys.

[@ValeriePallaoro]

Thanks brilliant idea; I'm off to Martin's channel. Good recommendation,

[@davidcann4329]

Fantastic stuff as always, very interesting and lets hope that the tunnel will be drained and re-opened. Many thanks for sharing.

[@raphaelnikolaus0486]

What an episode. What a story.

[@cyan1616]

Love you guys! Nice to see Martins mug in there too. Hugs from a fan from Chicago (ancestors from the UK) 🤗

[@bobsrailrelics]

Great story, a tunnel to keep a landowner happy! Some good stills as well. Will catch up with Martin and Liam next. And the completion video sounds a great idea.

[@shirleylynch7529]

What a fabulous explore also sad story. Poignant music. Great fun too with Martin I bet. Thank you for this vlog.

[@BibtheBoulder]

I worked (quite a number of years ago) with drivers who 'signed' this route. General consensus was it was the most challenging route any Derby driver went over, especially in the winter months.....

[@simonbradshaw3708]

Another enjoyable video, well researched as always. I look forward to the next installment.

[@keithfalconer2441]

Fascinating as usual and with Martin Zero as well. Two for the price of one ! Thanks

[@Sim0nTrains]

Some lovely footage from Haddon Tunnel and nice photo from the end of the tunnel and nice to see Martin Zero again.

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Simon

[@TrevsTravelsByNarrowboat]

A very interesting tunnel, and it is nice to see you with Martin again

[@gerbilmajor]

There is a similar pointless tunnel just outside Bishop Auckland. It is now part of the Auckland Way foot / bike path. The Prince bishop did not want to see the railway when he went to his castle

[@davie941]

this was very interesting , really well done and thank you paul and rebecca 😊

[@djhrecordhound4391]

To me in Canada, BOTH yours and Martin's channels are tops!

[@syncrosimon]

Brilliant use of your time. This content is the original purpose of KZbin and long May it last. (The water retaining wall was a bit creepy😬)

[@Kyle-Russell]

Fantastic photos

[@dickdastardly5534]

Very well done all, without your attention to detail much of this would be lost, which is a tragedy for those that gave their lives building this heritage 👍🏻

[@alanmuddypaws3865]

Top work! (as per usual) I thought for a moment you had diversified into the realms of unboxing videos.

[@omnipitous4648]

Let's see what this man has to offer. New experiences are rare and worthwhile.

[@pwhitewick]

Welcome.

[@janinapalmer8368]

Great video 😃😃😃... I'd heard of the Haddon tunnel ... now I know where it is ! Becca's looking radiant today ... Hi Bec 👍

[@rogermorris6957]

Hi Guys Thank you for another fascinating Vlog it was good to watch the 2 Vlogs for the various aspects of the show, Both great

[@davidberlanny3308]

Great collaboration video, well done!! What a mysterious open section, I thought trees like that only grew out of the walls of the Bury Bolton canal. Look forward to seeing you both in Manchester with Martin (don't forget your teaspoons!).

[@danjoseph9857]

Quick tip on that noisy hotel air vent. That card slot you put the card in to turn the lights on by the door. One half of that turns the lights on, the other half turns the air on. If you use a piece of cardboard half the width instead of the room key in that slot you can make the lights work but the air be off.

[@pwhitewick]

This is GOLD

[@GMan542]

Found your channel yesterday, Absolutely love your videos.

[@pwhitewick]

Welcome aboard!

[@neilmeldrum5853]

Very interesting film ,thank you

[@pwhitewick]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@oneteaminbristolbcfc]

Thanks for this I really enjoyed this

[@paulmartin1095]

Two of the best channels on KZbin, keep it up

[@stevedj2707]

What an awesome lineup you captured there mate. Well done 🙂👍

[@helenthorne8451]

Wow its a great tunnel nice job xx

[@rogercmerriman]

Good timing as I’m up in the Peak District very shortly! Was probably going to roll along the Monsal trail depending on time!

[@pwhitewick]

Find the time it's amaziiiiing

[@ColinH1973]

Top marks for being so intrepid! Excellent vid, thanks.

[@TekeHorse]

Lovely video as usual

[@ritasparrow3563]

Great to see you in my home county of Derbyshire. A great and interesting video as usual.

[@judewilson927]

Went here today with a friend. Sadly, it's been sealed up tight now. We had a walk over the top and found the cutting square area to look down, along with the air shafts. So all was not lost. :)

[@johnstilljohn3181]

Looks an amazing place - particularly as it is below water level...!

[@RobertSmith-zv1xo]

That wall at the end of the tunnel reminded me building brick walls in a stream nearby. Was a surprise to see that here and it was another informative Vlog Whitewick's!

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Robert

[@compostjohn]

Nice to see you working with Martin Zero. I really enjoyed his take on the York World Naked Bike Ride (I'm the organiser!) - he's got a good sense of humour.

[@heathermorley6074]

We’ve walked past the blocked up far end of the tunnel many times.really interesting to see the inside of it . Thanks for that 😄

[@pwhitewick]

We had thought about trying from that end, thankfully we didint

[@TheOpenBoatDAFFODIL]

Enjoyed watching that, last time I was in there, there were no walls at the portals, and the cuttings were dry!

[@AdamsWorlds]

Looks like the local one to me. Raining inside, floor had been ripped up and levelled during the war to store military equipment, bombs and ammo. But yeah very much like this inside only way longer here, way darker, and the shaft in the middle is insanely high in ours. Also mid way down its near waist deep here and has some breeze blocks dividing the tunnel with a cut out for bats to get through. Love these old tunnels.

[@paulwheeler4283]

I love both channels and yes definitely do more videos with martin

[@ReubenAshwell]

Another brilliant video. :)

[@manmeetsinghmahajan6183]

Amazing one.

[@invisiblewizard2538]

Loving the "SPEAK FRIEND AND ENTER" graffiti.

[@ryanparker4996]

I watched Martins video first and was absolutely convinced you had gone to the tunnel separately ahead of them! 😂 the magic of television at work haha

[@mkendallpk4321]

I loved this! My two favorite KZbin channels together. What a treat. I guess there is no way to make a trail using that tunnel with one end under water. Too bad as the tunnel itself looks to be in good shape.

[@pwhitewick]

Well you say that, but apparently it's on the cards

[@mkendallpk4321]

@@pwhitewick That is great news!

[@bryn494]

I solo hiked the rail-bed in the mid-70s and had a peep inside (big metal doors then) but decided to walk around. Rabbits galore and that collapsed hut was clean swept so I guess somebody ate a lot of rabbit :D Two young men (twins?) rode by, thrashing some Victorian jalopy on the dirt track back to the road; I thought it was going to bounce so hard it would flip. I may have met the owner later, if there's a Revlon connection :) Drop-dead gorgeous exit into Monsall Dale at the viaduct

[@jussipaulasaari5468]

Nice to see you again with the King Sir Martin ZERO.. Can't wait to see what kind of "ratholes" he shows you in couple of months!

[@tardismole]

Oh dear. The subtitles were doing so well until the end when it listed your name as Lightweight. Excellent video, though.

[@briancooper562]

Remember the track lifting train very slowly passing Bakewell show ground on Show day I think in 1968 may have been 69. Of course in previous years passing trains where always a point of interest when visiting Bakewell show. We also saw the northbound Blue Pullman sets at about 6.30pm in this area.

[@HenrysAdventures]

Another great video! That was a surprise at the other end of the tunnel! I wonder how long it will be before that wall gives way!

[@hairyairey]

I used to live in Harmer Hill, near Haddon. Wasn't even aware of this tunnel.

[@gaugeonesteam]

if you ever get the chance/reason/desire/cheapticket deal or whatever, get on the Eurostar from St Pancras to Paris or Brussels. I've done London - Brussels and back many times. If you get offered the 1st class upgrade for 1€ take it. Calais to Lille the train travels at 180mph. pretty cool! Also 1st class you get the extra comfy seats and free food and wine! (Serious point.. for us people interested in this stuff, it's quite amazing to think about early railways and see how far they have moved forward in modern times).

[@leroyholm9075]

Hoorah The Intrepid Martin Returns!

[@lesfez1875]

Check out the tunnels for the Northern Line extension from Edgware. At Edgware you can see the remains of the brick arches but further on were the tunnels to take the line to Bushey - never used, abandoned!

[@regcotterill7332]

What a great video and I learned quite a bit. This is an area I have walked in many times. One of the first walks I ever did as a teenager was on what became the Monsal trail just after services stopped and walked through Cressbrook tunnel when the tracks were still in place. I always thought that the entire Haddon tunnel was cut and cover. Once again we learn how hard the life of the men that cut these tunnels, cuttings and embankments was. Do we appreciate what they did? I believe that there is a plan to reopen this line. I would love to see this but It won't be in my life time. Thank you for this great video.

[@trevcam6892]

It's very unlikely and certainly not a good idea. Many thousands of cyclists, walkers, runners, wheelchair users and horse riders use the Monsal Trail every year. There is an organisation who would like to re-open it but it would require millions of pounds from the government to rebuild and to keep running. It can't be self-sustaining. The only gain would be for the Buxton quarry companies who would love a government subsidised railway to the east. Oh yes. Of course there's the rail enthusiasts who love a full size system to play at trains on.

[@digsdrains]

Hi guys .. of the couple of sites I follow similar to you ..you n Martin are my favourites

[@barryellison1272]

I live about 3 miles from Haddon Hall. I knew about the tunnel and the fight to have the railway across Haddon Estate, but I didn't realise that it was possible to walk the whole length of it.

[@BibtheBoulder]

Pancreas: Organ Pancras: Terminal station in London..... Great video though, in one of the most fascinating areas for railway history...

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

Very interesting and informative video. The 'river' at the far end made a rather dramatic and I assume, unexpected, ending.

[@pwhitewick]

It was indeed unexpected. With the amount of water coming in, we knew something wasn't right

[@robinhayhurst5943]

You really do take some amazing photographs!

[@HoxieDan5369]

Always interesting.

[@misterflibble9799]

The railways took over from the canals; now it looks like a canal is starting to take over a railway...

[@whereinsussex]

Another moist one!

[@pwhitewick]

Always

[@forkliftofzen5318]

Coordinates for this site are 53.11.34 N, 1.38.36W. Old rail line runs roughly NW to SE across the property and that specific coordinate is one of the ceiling ports.

[@Basaljet]

Good to see you guys together. Martin is looking particularly attractive!

[@stuartbridger5177]

Great to see the contrasting approach and presenting styles between yourselves and Martin. Haddon Hall is also a fascinating visit for those less adventurous. Shrewsbury is a bit of a haul across to Bakewell, I assume that you has some other sites to visit as well?

[@DjMaddoxX]

Great video! A video on the tunnels beneath the english channel would also be very interesting as a suggestion.