The Hidden Waterworks Tunnel

[@stevenmacdonald9619]

Remember kids. Never climb in an outdoor pizza oven thinking it's a tunnel. 😂

[@MartinZero]

Thats good advice Steven 😀

[@heaart2145]

T e Fi Fo Fum!😂

[@Dekko-chan]

It does look strangely like a pizza oven.

[@wantmot]

My guess of the small "refuges"spaces on each side of the pipe are so they can have room for the spanners to tighten joint bolts as thats were the spaces appear at each joint...update the joints used can also be tallow filled with Hemp and lead filler cauked in but i think the spaces are still to give them easy acsess to work on the joint but as i say a guess

[@MartinZero]

Good thinking

[@notwenjohn6852]

Yes that was my thoughts too Nairb, to give clear access around the flanges etc

[@andyhill242]

I thought that too as the refuges definitely seemed to line up with the pipe joints.

[@grahamdorey3244]

Yep. Personal access to get around and under the pipe to access joint in pipe. A lot of work, but probably easier that the full tunnel that width.

[@A.Martin]

Was going to say this too, they would have needed room to climb up and down ladders to get under the pipe.

[@Gappasaurus]

James always seems like a fun guy to bring along on any adventure: slightly out of his element, but game for anything 😄

[@MartinZero]

Yeah he is always up for whatever I put to him

[@whiskeycook3323]

Yeah he’s just got that shit eating grin. Glad to see him go along on martins adventures

[@maggiefleuriot4427]

Always a smile, the man.

[@livingonthetyne]

James is a legend on your videos, doesn’t have a clue but is always happy always smiling always willing for the adventure! Love it

[@painmagnet1]

He's a fungi lol.

[@GregDaniel78]

The first tunnel you were in was very likely just to carry the cast iron pipe which is very much still there. If you imagine building reservoirs on such a vast scale, as the victorians did, was in its infancy. A lot of new engineering was pioneered. It was not certain how the ironwork would survive underground. Water pipes were not driven through earth and rock, as newer concrete and plastic pipes are. The outer tunnel is so the pipes could be maintained and repaired.

[@raithwilson6845]

Hi Martin.Ive been watching almost all your videos and they are truly great.I am a composer and studio /musician so I know how hard working in that field is.I can really appreciate the amount of graft you do in these vids to get them up to production status.I would be correct in saying that the filming and trekking is the easy part and most of the time consuming stuff is done at home.In my view the mainstream tv BBC .ITV etc are really losing out to you.They either dont know how you tube film makers of your calibre are attracting a lot of of people from all ages.I have learnt so much from your vids.I dont know much history about Lancashire and tbh ,I would have never cared that much to find out.But you have a rare gift of pulling people in to your world of exploring .I would love yto see you make films for the whole of the world to see .Good luck and ffs keep making them m8.

[@andyrobinson1237]

Hi Martin, you’re on my my old patch ! The area where the water tunnel begins is called The Don Gorge & at the opposite end to the viaduct was a small village called Levitt Hagg. This was abandoned & demolished in the 1950’s but signs of it still remain. There are numerous lime kilns along the Gorge too, near to where the village was.

[@MartinZero]

Ahh thats interesting Andy thanks

[@doncoffey5820]

You haven’t got a river named after you then Martin 😉. Don’t know if you knew but the shafts are only for ventilation after the tunnel is complete. They are actually sunk as construction shafts which gives each shaft an additional two “headings”. This vastly improves the speed of tunnelling. That tunnel with four shafts plus the ends will have had ten headings. Furthermore, they measure the depth by using sight sticks laid out over the top and then they drop plumb bobs in to determine the direction. It’s all done by eye and when they meet, they are very accurate. Short tunnels like your rail tunnel didn’t justify the effort of building a construction shaft. Brilliant video but for goodness sake, think of a way of letting someone know where you’ve gone!

[@MartinZero]

Yeah Pretty much the way they did Standedge Don. I am working on a way of naming a river after me. Might have to dig it first 😄

[@davidmills636]

You've sme guts going down a tunnel like that - very interesting and one can only imagine the harsh working conditions to construct it - thank you

[@MartinZero]

Yeah I loved all that bare rock

[@MartinDHayes]

Another interesting video! Love the tunnels and stories. But, Skim Milk? That's just white colored water, HA! As always, Crack on & Cheers!!

[@MartinZero]

Yeah skimmed milk has no use on this planet Martin

[@chrismccartney8668]

Superb as usual my claustrophobia kicked in as it does when Martin goes down the mole hole

[@MartinZero]

You would of loved it Chris

[@davidmunro4653]

Manchester is a gold mine of visual treasures. I find your videos are one of my favorite escapes.

[@djp120970]

You certainly go the extra mile for these videos! Thanks, good to see Ant on board.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you, yep this was Ants find

[@danielbarrows7144]

Can you imagine lugging all that pipe into the tunnel and fitting it all together, can't imagine the man hours involved! Another awesome video thanks for sharing this Martin! 🔦💧👷🏻👍🏻🕷🕸

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Daniel

[@danensis]

When I went down in the early 60s there were narrow gauge railway tracks in the tunnel, presumably to carry the pipes.

[@Dave64track]

Great video Martin spiders and tunnels the things you do for us Sunday night viewers I thought you was going to get stuck going it the other end of that pipe and your mates saying we will get the rescue out at midnight don't panic. Looking forward to your next video with a lunch break interval with flasks.

[@markcantemail8018]

Martin I love it . The Smirks and Smiles on your faces at the start made me know it was going to be a Good Time . Ha ha ha The Music at the Shaft was Great . Can I request something by Semprini next time ? Yes I am impressed by the Victorian Workmanship , Be Proud . You have a Good crew with you . Thank you and please stay Healthy .

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Mark. yeah we had a good day 😀

[@rogerbarton497]

Apologies if this has been said before, I haven't read all the comments! Looking at the map, (10:42) the tunnel doesn't appear to follow your red line. I guess it follows the line of the shafts and terminates at the west end where it says Wr Twr (Water Tower) and Resr (Resevoir). I suspect the pipe is the outlet from the water tower. The cracks are probably due to mining subsidence.

[@MartinZero]

Yeah the red line is just a rough guide Roger. Yes there was a water tower nearby we kept seeing

[@danensis]

@@MartinZero - the water tower was built in 1951. Thrybergh reservoir was built between 1874 and 1880, which is when the pipeline would be constructed.

[@BrianRS1968]

When you came to the "fault" crack around 13 minutes and you said that looks dodgy, a wave of concern came over me. Then I remembered that I wouldn't be seeing this if you were trapped. Stay safe Martin, many worry about you while you are providing an education to us.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you, it was more the cracks in the bricks that concerned me

[@lindamccaughey6669]

Well Martin that was just fantastic. That first tunnel was so long I’m surprised you lasted so long in there, having said that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Now that second tunnel was just beautiful. The stonework was fantastic it was a gem. Thanks so much for taking me along. Wishing you a Merry Christmas, please stay safe and take care

[@meruliouslacrimens5154]

So you creep into a claustrophobic tunnel, then pause and point out the crack in the ceiling. I love your videos, they are always very interesting as you show us the forgotten and un- loved buildings of previous engineering marvels ( largely forgotten ) i would pay good money to go on a guided tour with you, but no dingy, tiny tunnels please.👍👍

[@WeSombreGhosts]

Oh Man that Shinning music give me the Chills 💀 Happy Holidays & Prosperous 2021 Martin .

[@DarrenFlinders]

Hey Martin, glad to see you in my neck of the woods (on the right side of the pennines lol). Great vid as always, but didn't know about the tunnels etc. The viaduct is a great site, and pretty high when you are on it. Looking forward to future vids. Keep up the great work, and have a great Christmas.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Darren all the best

[@normanyates6735]

Martin, your arse was twitching towards the end of the first tunnel, can see why you didn’t want to go along the other end, your very brave or daft, another thrilling vlog Martin,thanks.

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Norman, yeah it was just more of the same

[@gingerbread6614]

Thank you guys love everything. Thank you

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much

[@MrVxrman]

Nice video Martin 😎 Thanks for sharing m8y 😃🍻👍🏻

[@petergrant2366]

Brilliant video Martin, one of your best I think, so glad you stopped when you did, I was there with you, all sorts of things start going round in your head, I was in an old canal tunnel a few years ago and we actually saw some small movement in the brickwork, so I love old tunnels but they can be frightening, well done.

[@officially-ROB]

This channel never disappoints. Thank you Martin and gang!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Rob

[@briancopp4024]

Missed you last week. Thanks for another great video Martin

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Brian

[@garethparr9482]

That entrance would phase many people me included but Martin and our intrepid explorers are not phased. The places and lengths you go to pal to bring us these incredible videos is up and above the call. You and the team have a bloody good Christmas and look forward as always to the next one.

[@WarHawk-]

Another great video Martin, and the music was a nice touch.

[@Gappasaurus]

28:00 I knew it, the tunnel leads to the Barrow-Downs! 😱 It’s a good thing you guys turned back when you did, wouldn’t like to run into a Wheel-barrow-wight down there 😁

[@MartinZero]

You speak from experience

[@Gappasaurus]

@@MartinZero Maaaaaaybe... but my therapist said i shouldn’t talk about it 😆

[@AlisonBryen]

I appreciate this LOTR reference.

[@EveinEden301]

Only just watched this but another amazing video, cheers Martin! Far too many massive spiders, my idea of a nightmare. Loved the Christmas Live last night too. Merry Christmas. 🎄 🤶 😁

[@Paul-010]

Another fascinating exploration guys, well done, I enjoyed it very much. Btw, I thought James was going to say soya milk for the tea! 😀. Yes, it has to be full fat!👍🏻

[@fryxc.doncaster3483]

Awesome nice to see you in my home town lol last time I was in those tunnels probably I was 14 am now 44 .

[@christycullen2355]

I've been slacking on the vids recently, I'm currently binge watching them all. Great content as usual Martin

[@auser1484]

Cor blimey, that's a big pipe you got there Martin. 😮

[@MartinZero]

Were gonna need bigger trousers

[@chrislynch924]

Skimmed milk.... really!!! Another great video Martin...

[@stehaughton5074]

Thanks Martin, Merry Christmas mate & a Happy new year👍👍

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Ste merry christmas

[@richardjellis9186]

ANOTHER great video Martin 😁. Keep'em coming. Rich 🥰🥰🥰

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Rich

[@peterkilvert2712]

Another great adventure. I was very pleased when you didn't go beyond the shaft - it looked like very low headroom. The other features shown were also amazing. Best Wishes Pete.

[@MartinZero]

I think it would have been more of the same Peter, so we left it

[@TheKogly]

Martin your crazy. Just the sort of videos we need at the moment as it was fascinating.

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Ken, glad you enjoyed

[@billyruss]

Wish you'd gone through the full length, though this is definitely the most claustrophobic video yet! Great work again :-)

[@MartinZero]

Nah it was more of the same

[@stevejones8665]

Amazing amount of work must have gone into that brickwork, carrying all the bricks and mortar. Don't think we will ever have workers like them again. Hats off to those workers.

[@murkydepths181]

I love how you take us along with you on these adventures Martin Thank you for all your work 🙏🌹

[@MartinZero]

Thank you glad you enjoyed

[@johnmehaffey9953]

Shafted again, sorry bad pun love your adventurous spirit lads reminds me of my childhood days always exploring tunnels and no thought of safety, as ever lads superb engineering and brickwork on the tunnels even the small tunnel

[@andrewkowel3547]

Thanks for these trips that you take us on , always fascinating . Much appreciated 👍

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Andrew

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

Great one Martin, that tunnel was a weird one, beautifully constructed though . I wonder what all the micro arches were in the floor every few yards 🤔🧱👍🏼

[@MartinZero]

Someone reckoned they were to get a wrench in for the joints

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

@@MartinZero Ah that makes sense 🤔👍🏼. All the best for Christmas and the new year Martin , great channel 👌🏼🧱👍🏼

[@philpowe3079]

Great video Martin climbing into the tunnel reminds me of Data trying to get in a shaft on Star Trek

[@JDLeonard74]

Chocolate cake and Cherry soda, after eating leftovers from last night's family Christmas party here. That's a great exploration! You could leave a bottle of Bailey's the day before and see if it's gone the next day.😉😄

[@MartinZero]

I would, but am not going back in there

[@katherinekinnaird4408]

Not only is this interesting but you all are a crack up. We all need a laugh these days thank you and Merry Christmas.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Katherine, Merry Christmas

[@wonkdonk3844]

martin has a severe case of tunnel vision...lol.. great vids lads!

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Wonk

[@michaeltidbury4835]

That was surprisingly amusing and interesting. The repartee was worthy of Saturday Night at the Palladium. Thanks for having the gumption to go into that waterworks tunnel 😉

[@andymcclymont6626]

Thanks Martin. Another belter of a video. Thank you for the work you put into these videos for us to watch mate. I hope your christmas day is the best it can possibly be and hope you and your family stay safe. All the best buddy. Andy from Wigan

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Andy all the very best to you

[@SergeiJonovich]

LOL, 38m20s the little crawley one, points at James and the short one points at Ant. Another great production fellah's, thank-you all, shortie, crawley and Martin!

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Sergei

[@ponyboymb]

Great video. Been busy with Christmas! So just catching up 👊👊 we we're watching your live feed the other night, always a good giggle. Hope you've had a great Christmas, (hope James got some decent boot's! Rather than his trainer's) all the best for the new year ✌👊🤘🔥angi+marc

[@michaeldicarlo5540]

The amazing thing is that this was hand dug and hand laid at one point in time this was a valuable resource for people, goes to show how times have changed and how people had to transport resources from town to town awesome video like always

[@MartinZero]

Yeah I liked the bare rock bits

[@aniwilliams3370]

Ohhhhhh 😮. This *so* turned my stomach/triggered a bit of claustrophobia 😂. This is amazing ... think about all the guys who had to dig that out and line it. What incredible men. I loved this ... you gave me the collywobbles though! 😂

[@peterdunning2952]

The method you used to climb into and out of that tunnel is exactly the same as one uses to climb in and out of a steam locomotive firebox to do repairs,through the firehole door-when the fire has been out for a couple of days of course! Another cracking video Martin,you do it so we don't have to.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Peter, great to see am in good climbing company 😃

[@m1cxf]

This took me back to over forty-five years ago when I last went through the tunnel, nice to see it in more detail as we had an old bike lamp which we avoided using to save the batteries and a couple of jam jars with candles in. Not surprised to see cracks though as you had Cadeby Colliery at one end and Yorkshire Main at the other, although Cadeby had a fault line running through it. I was quite surprised that you didn't have a search for the funicular railway that ran from a quarry. The track was made from L shaped slabs of limestone.

[@jezm1703]

Great video, along with all the others. Really enjoy them.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Jez 👍

[@tardismole]

Wow. I lived in Doncaster for 25years but had never been to Consiborough, except through it on the train. The tunnel was very interesting. 11/10 for creepiness. And, for the record, skinned milk is just coloured water. :)

[@gafrers]

Great once again

[@MartinZero]

Thank you

[@macclesfieldmaggpie]

Fantastic exploration Martin

[@MartinZero]

Cheers mate glad you enjoyed

[@johnathanrowley2707]

Brilliant and intresting video as always, that tunnel looked slightly dodgy but it's great you've got footage

[@timbuthfer]

Superb exploration Martin, very interesting to see the old Victorian building work.

[@davidfoley5128]

Great explore, well done Martin & lads.

[@rayhathaway7831]

Very interesting video thanks for making it. My mates and I went the full length of that water tunnel a few times back in the late 1960's. Back then you could just walk in the entrance and the bottom of the shafts did not have so much infill as now. The spiders were ignored but we once disturbed a bat that kept flying about us.

[@rydermike33]

Many thanks Martin, James and Ant. Another couple of tunnels. Very interesting indeed. And..Definitely blue top milk in tea....Merry Christmas and thank you for all your wonderful videos Martin.

[@kevinparkin5438]

Hi Martin I've just watched your video on the water tunnel and all I can say is that you wouldn't get me down there also that poor little girl who got hit by a train sad but it did have it's funny moments when you slipped and the in depth conversation about tea it was interesting to watch looking forward to seeing more all the best for Christmas take care Kevin ps im the one who likes daleks too.

[@MrSteffen2020]

Think you Martin for nice video see you next week and you all time make me laugh 😀

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Steffen

[@wackbatt4746]

martin , you make my sunday evenings

[@MartinZero]

Thank you 😄

[@frankfitzgerald5832]

Great video Martin lots of fun filming that made me laugh watching ya squeeze through the second entrance...also noticed the joint alcoves ..brilliant mate All the best keep the great content coming stay safe mate...regards to Ant a mutual friend...Frank & Lee ....

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Frank and Lee glad you enjoyed it all the best

[@comedyhunter]

Another great video. Always interesting watching your stuff and also entertaining. I noticed the other end of the railway tunnel did have a fence but it was pulled away. And yes Semi-Skimmed milk is tea Yuk! Got to be Yorkshire tea too

[@MartinZero]

Skimmed is worse 😩

[@comedyhunter]

@@MartinZero yes never seen the point in skimmed, it’s just water with a thimble full of milk diluted in it

[@stevefoden7853]

Another great watch, keep them coming buddy

[@dingbatfpv]

Mate your videos have such a good vibe. Originally from Manchester myself and I've learnt so much about the city I never knew. Keep it up :D

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much

[@andylewis-olding2745]

Like your videos Martin, really like the way you find out the history behind stuff. Do us a favour though and wear a helmet and remember to tell someone where your going. We don`t wanna lose ya.

[@austingupton1421]

I always love the content y’all make. So many Urbex videos I’ve seen are just people wandering around having no clue what they’re looking at, but y’all really seem to do your homework and know what y’all are talking about. Keep up the good work!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Austin

[@KonaFocus]

Nice, a Martin Zero video just as I sit down for breakfast. Perfect timing!

[@MartinZero]

Good morning to you

[@NOWThatsRichy]

Great explore, martin. that tunnel went on forever, surprising how dry it has remained, great bit of underground engineering, must have been quite a job to get all those sections of pipe in there originally. Did you check the oxygen levels in there? Always whole milk for me!

[@t77299]

Oh the efforts you go thru just to satisfy us on youtube, thanks again for making a very satisfying vlog🙏❤️👍🏻😀😀

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Tobbe

[@timothybarham6374]

Very cool, glad you had fun!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Timothy

[@brianartillery]

A new Martin Zero video. Tunnels! That's sunday night sorted, then. Much appreciated. And no, you can't make a good brew with skimmed milk - it's basically water that someone has rinsed some emulsion paint brushes in. Silver/blue top milk or nothing, for me, every time.

[@MartinZero]

That pretty much sums up skimmed milk

[@ItsMe-io5bl]

Thats exactly what ive always said... a drop of emulsion in a bucket of water = skimmed milk, tastes the same too!

[@pathegarty4757]

All the best for the new year mate . Stay safe and take care. 😀

[@mileshigh1321]

Great intro song! Al Bowley with the Ray Noble Orchestra ! Al was killed during WW2 when a bomb bounced up the street, through his front door, up the stairs and hit his bedroom door! It did not explode! But...the door hit him and killed him! Its easily overlooked but is a Shinning example of 30's music haha! Oh and of course great explore! I like when you go with Ant and James!

[@MartinZero]

Poor old Al

[@matthewgriffiths8423]

The music at the start of your video was from the film The Shining. Its called Midnight and the stars and you. Brilliant

[@MartinZero]

Yep 😉👌

[@totalrecone]

Recorded by Al Bowlly w/ Ray Noble & Orch. if I remember rightly.

[@MoeLarrycurly1]

Kool stuff 👍🏼🍺🖖🏼🤔 Could you climb up the air shaft 🤔 🥸 Score... free wheel barrow

[@matthewrail6065]

Thumbs up Martin another great video

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Matthew

[@richardpettet9996]

Another great film. You kept calling it disconcerting, well it was certainly that watching it. Wouldn't get me down there.

[@FixitFrank]

Skim Milk is water with milk coloring. Merry Christmas Martin!

[@ivanhockenhull2604]

Well done, Martin. I have explored old German Bunkers. Not great but no way near as dauntiing as that. Superlative viewing as usual.🇯🇪

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Ivan

[@davedavidson8845]

Thanks for producing another great video 👍🏻

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Dave, glad you enjoyed it

[@carlwilson1772]

Great explore. Very interesting waterworks tunnel.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Carl

[@NickNorton]

Whenever I'm shown little brick tunnels, The Grand, ok small, thoughts of the River Tib makes me smile. When I'm dead. Can someone ditch my ashes in River Tib?

[@MartinZero]

We will have to drop your ashes down a manhole into it Nick 😃

[@jcramond73]

What an absolute gem mate!!! Just be grateful Martin that you don't have the nasty spiders like we do in Australia ;) A possible use for the small tunnels next to the pipe could be for the tools to tighten the bolts for the joins, given the amount of torque for the bolts, the wrenches would have been quite long.

[@MartinZero]

Any spider bigger than what we have would be the limit for me. I would die

[@shauntodd7123]

Martin another great adventure with James absolutly amazing, Merry Christmas.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Shaun Merry Christmas

[@Chadÿdee]

great video mate ive been down there and bloody ekk it doesn't half get to your back afterwards

[@MartinZero]

Yeah a bit stoopy

[@BLINDEXPLORERASIFMUHAMMAD]

Very amazing video well done and keep up the great work and merry Christmas and Happy New year hope you have a good one

[@Daveofdonny]

Love your videos Martin, I have lived in Doncaster 72 years and did not know those tunnels existed ?

[@raydeignan9917]

Those arches are for jacks to be put under the ends of pipe when pushing them together, and when a section has to be replaced they would jack numerous sections to make the pipe shorter so a mew section could be put in as they aren’t bolted joints they are slotted sections

[@stephensaines7100]

Yes! If not exactly as you state, something closely akin.

[@stephensaines7100]

To add to your point, when I read "jack" I immediately thought vertically. But like a tunnel boring machine, it jacks its way forward by pushing back against the lining rings installed as it progresses. Those archways would allow same: jack horizontally against their inner facing to force the pipe sections into the one before or after. Tight caulking would require the force of a jack for a pressure capable pipe.

[@MartinZero]

Good thinking Ray

[@ColinHarperSummerson]

Good video Martin, once you seen those cracks, you did well to keep going, personally I might turned back, you do go to great lengths to bring good footage, looked a eerie place, what with bits if brick then rock , good to see it was well venitlated even with that bit of a fallen from a ventilation shaft , history was interesting, often people who sweated and shed blood and lives of these places are forgotten, shame they often have to die to leave a note in their construction, interesting about the other tunnel and gypsy girl, very sad , still remembered in a way, enjoyed the music , thanks for sharing Martin, have a great Christmas and happy new year, all the best to you and yours 👍🙂

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Colin Merry Christmas to you

[@shirleylynch7529]

Fantastic. You are all very brave. How did the frog live in the tunnel.? Must have water and food from somewhere. Tell James tea and skimmed milk is like drinking dish water. Thank you for sharing.great vlog.

[@MartinZero]

Its not even proper milk its long life