The Old Railway Tunnel at the Bottom of the Island

[@100SteveB]

Back in the very early 1980's I must have walked just about every part of all of the lost island lines, but this tunnel was one part i never got to go into, it was being used back them for the mushroom farm and other things - like you mentioned in the video. So it's great to finally see inside it at last. I was however able to walk through the other Ventnor tunnel - the one from the main Ventnor station, under St Boniface down, coming back into open air at Wroxhall. That is a longer tunnel, and at each end, just 50 or so meters in the tunnel curved. So once you were around the curve you were plunged into darkness. And because it was the same either end, you had no line of sight to either end. That tunnel does have a ventilation shaft approx half way through, and an amazing sight it was, looking up hundreds of feet to see the sky above. Sadly I think that tunnel is well and truly sealed off these days with some hefty steel security doors. I believe it is now used to carry some kind of communication lines, plus the main water supply for Ventnor. I wish we had had the modern camera equipment we are used to nowadays back then, would loved to have filmed it. We did try, but even with some pretty powerful lamps it was simply not enough for the old video camera we had back then. But so good to finally see inside of the Ventnor west tunnel, thank you!

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

Brilliant! That must have been a very scenic railway line back in the day. Makes you wonder whether part of it would prosper as a heritage line today!

[@lindsaydavis4188]

The view from a train emerging from the southern portal was stunning

[@Geoffrey-t4r]

It's so lovely to see inside these old railway tunnels

[@Carolb66]

Hi Ant this tunnel was in pretty good condition it seemed quite dry in there & the brickwork was in pretty good shape amazing considering how long its been closed. Outside is very pretty woodland & track bed, amazing find Ant Thank you! ❤😊 ,

[@nigelkthomas9501]

I like the fact mushrooms 🍄 are being grown in there. We get treated like that by politicians; we get kept in the dark and fed a load of 💩!

[@TrekkingExploration]

Ha yes very good point

[@orwellboy1958]

Oh, so true.👍

[@jimmys6566]

there are no mushrooms grown there

[@shirleylynch7529]

Super channel. Loved all the colours. What a dust though. Great filming Ant. Most enjoyable. Thank you.

[@jamesgilbart2672]

Great footage - the masonry in there looked to be in really good shape. If that tunnel can't find re-use as part of a railway maybe it should be made into an official walking/cycling route like the Two Tunnels Greenway near Bath?

[@lindamccaughey6669]

Another fantastic video thanks Ant. Pity no mushrooms nice and fresh is always best. Loved that tunnel. Thanks for taking me along. Please take care

[@philliphammond399]

Hi Ant, my last holiday on the island was in 2006, a lot has changed since then. Amazing video, look forward to more. Thank you.

[@prof.hectorholbrook4692]

Fascinating. Good photography too.

[@AllensTrains]

The tunnel does not appear to be in poor condition and looks as though it is just waiting for the heritage railway to get there! Thanks for uploading.

[@TrekkingExploration]

It's looking good. At minimum being utilised as a footpath would be great. Thank you for watching

[@KempSimon]

@@TrekkingExploration

[@jeffb7241]

We used to have a week's family holiday on the island every year. One year (35+ years ago) I came across this tunnel which was as original and didn't have any boarding or corrugated iron on it, but couldn't go very far inside as I didn't have a torch. The next year I went prepared with a powerful torch to find it all boarded up with signs saying it was now a mushroom farm and was dangerous to enter as they were pumping some sort of gas inside to aid the mushrooms growth, so thanks for posting as I've at least seen inside the Ventnor West tunnel.

[@simonballard6413]

Marvellous video! Wish you could do similar with Ventnor tunnel! That would be a treat, too.

[@Marc_von_Hoffrichter]

Thanks Ant! The stone work in that tunnel is absolutely stunning. Thanks for the video mate, enjoyed it immensely. Cheers cobber.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it mate thank you

[@alankennedy3398]

Yet another quality video keep em comming !!

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much Alan very kind

[@leilabennett1366]

I went in that tunnel when it was a mushroom farm. They were quite happy for customers to have a stroll in the tunnel. Wandered along with my little torch. Highlight of my IOW holiday. The mushrooms were nice too.

[@islandlife9250]

welcome to our beautiful island x

[@TrekkingExploration]

I'll be back soon too! There's more to see

[@alantraish3368]

I drove my old Mk1 Fiesta to that Northern portal and bought mushrooms and a hand knitted Whitwell Mushroom tunnel top from them which i still treasure. My late mum was with me It was in the 1990s I think. I got a pic of my car parked up with all the polythene outside the portal. We walked part of it then

[@TrekkingExploration]

Wow thats quite some memory. Sounds like it was a good business they had. I wonder why it stops

[@simonballard6413]

Your videos are always superb, Ant, as is your choice of music for them. Really enjoyed this one.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Cheers Simon i maanged to get quite a bit done whilst i was over here

[@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling]

Lovely explore and stunning pics Ant. Thanks for sharing.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks Chris ☺️

[@damedavidfrith55]

Thanks very beautiful and interesting the dust is just baby 👻

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it. It could be lol

[@tpaul2866]

I think the northern portal housed the mushroom farm as you could drive to it from the main road. They may have had storage space at the southern end, but there wasn't easy road access. Looks like some of the phone hangers were new in the video. Probably installed by BT when the mushroom farm had their phone line. At the road junction at the northern end there used to be a footbridge and crossing keepers house. The house is still there. Whitwell station has self catering cottages. Godshill was next along and the station still exists. There are also some bridges left intact including one in a garden. The line joins up at Merstone Junction. This is part of the cycle path - the platform exists and there's parking for those that want to explore.

[@johnbrice2842]

really great thanks and well done

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thank you John

[@Jimyjames73]

It's always sad to see disused Tunnels - they shouldn't of closed all them Railways in the 1st place - would there be less traffic on the roads today if they had never closed them miles& miles of Railways??? 🤔🚂🚂🚂

[@doingstuffoutdoors3002]

Looks like mist not dust....been in a few tunnels where that happens, it's when warm moist air comes in 1 end and cools into a mist....thats why 1 end is clear where it hasn't had chance to cool enough..👍

[@mcmarky1985]

Great explore and another fab video! The photo @6.47 is unreal!

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it as always :)

[@DavidSevern]

Another cracking vid, brilliant

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind thank you 🙂

[@lucymcconachie5361]

Hi, my husband and I were in there on the 16th July, I had a rubbish torch and got as far as those wires and stuff hanging down and got freaked out. We did climb the track and walk over the field to find the North portal. Couldn't believe how dry it was in there. Will take a better light next time ! Great video.

[@TrekkingExploration]

You can easily walk past the Portal too if you don't know. It's nice and dry Inside too. I went in on the 11th so not long before you

[@nigelwalmsley3148]

Thank you for this . Have lived in New Zealand since I was 3 years old now am 75, but still call I.O.Wight home. I was born in Ventnor so really enjoyed this one.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thankyou very much. I have more to show from the Island :)

[@martinmarsola6477]

Thank you for the colourful tour of this tunnel. Other than heavy dust, it was a delightful trip. Will see you on the next, probably after Friday, as I’m moving. Enjoy By the way, congratulations on 20K subscribers. Enjoy the week,and see you on the next. Cheers Ant! ❤️🇬🇧👍🙂🇺🇸

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks Martin look after yourself

[@peterchristopher8702]

amazing footage through the tunnel went to both portals in 2013 and both were blocked took a while to find the south portal so grown in not as easy as the Whitwell side

[@whyyoulidl]

Thx Ant, nice one as usual 👍

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much. I have a few to put out from down here 👍

[@bobingram6912]

Nice little tunnel, shame the Island lines were reduced to practically nothing, there's some super scenery to be enjoyed. Didn't really notice the dust till you blinded it!!!!!!👍👍👍

[@TrekkingExploration]

Yes it was ashame. Luckily something survied and i still need to do the steam railway

[@bobingram6912]

@@TrekkingExplorationGot to be done, one of the best in the country.

[@a11csc]

another fantastic vid ant

[@barrythedieselelectricstea5217]

excellent video👍 that tunnel looks good nick after 71 years do we know why it closed look forward to future video's

[@EandEFC]

Was lucky enough to go in the tunnel in the late 80's when it was a mushroom farm a great tunnel to visit

[@jerrysims6691]

Great to see you here on the Island,

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks Jerry. I plan to return later in the year

[@octopus680]

Very enjoyable that -thank you.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much John

[@exileinderby51]

Great video Ant, good luck on your Isle of Wight walk.

[@TrekkingExploration]

It's all done. 71 miles around the coast and a few other walks after including this 😉

[@roytabberer7427]

Lovely video as normal Ant. Loved the few outtakes! lol.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Cheers Roy thank you

[@andrewdavis9223]

Another great video thanks 😊

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thank you very much

[@nicholasglanfield9221]

Most railway tunnels can be wet and damp. Got to be the driest railway tunnel I have seen. There is also another railway tunnel at Ventnor near the old railway station, up above from the town.

[@chrismccartney8668]

Went on swanage railway last week superb scenery and Battle of Britain class loco **Manston**. Also trip trip to Poole all very enjoyable staggered at the numbers on the Heritage Diesel and Steam Hauled Trains. Corfe is a superb village but very busy.... Can recommend the Bankes Hotel.

[@TrekkingExploration]

I've never been down there to see any of that area. Maybe next year I'll concentrate more south than Yorkshire and the midlands. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself

[@dilwyn1]

WOW!! Just started watching and had to comment!! This intro is awesome !

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much 🙏

[@dilwyn1]

@@TrekkingExploration You're welcome ! Also the stills are great and the one at 9:50 blew me away ... Stunning job.

[@Design2winLew]

Don't re-call seeing any explores of this tunnel before , interesting to see . Did you get over to the other tunnel just out of the old Ventnor station ( other one ) which ran under the downs ? Great content as ever Ant .

[@ste.h9825]

Cheers great video.👍

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much 😊

[@mrsgenehunt48]

What a treat! Love the outtakes 😂. Somebody knows their Thomas the Tank Engine 😉. Thanks for sharing Ant.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you. This was a nice opportunity after all the walking

[@Bear-kr3gr]

Just wanna thank “fire clown” that’s just what that tunnel needed, spray paint and 3 bags of trash. Your a gift to mankind. Putz. Enjoyed your video, Ant.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Yeah all that crazy set up was a bit unnecessary whoever did that. Thanks very much for watching

[@ryanday2882]

I like that video you must do more on the Isle of Wight❤

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks Ryan. I did a few more whilst down there they'll be coming on soon. I'll be back down too

[@maxthecat14]

Another enjoyable video. Thank you. I wonder where the random man was going on his own.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it. That was funny

[@daystatesniper01]

Cracking video , one thing no vent shaft ? at over 600 yards i would have thought there would be one

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks for watching. Apparently not however nearby Ventnor does

[@ClipzNY]

Been there done that lol… did u find the Jetski at the end of the tunnel

[@angelaknisely-marpole7679]

Lovely

[@christophermatthews6972]

The station at the end of this line was Ventnor West. Ventnor station is also disused and also had a tunnel.

[@TrekkingExploration]

It's absolutely amazing seeing what Ventnor Station used to look like

[@johnspurgeon9083]

Unfortunately Ventnor tunnel is heavily sealed off as it carries water infrastructure. But the company opened it up some years ago for a special walk through. I'd love that to happen again but at present water companies are a bit jittery!

[@TrekkingExploration]

@@johnspurgeon9083 South West Water did give me the contact details last week of the area team to ask about it however I never got in touch due to time constraints. Maybe when I go back

[@johnspurgeon9083]

@@TrekkingExploration Best of luck and have a good walk...

[@davemarson7241]

Hi Ant i was down there last summer, stayed ar Whitwell staion for rhe week. Met up the the man that owns St Lawerance staion, really nice chap, told me a lot about the tunnel and the station.

[@TrekkingExploration]

That's amazing I bet you loved it. There's so much to discover on such a small place

[@davemarson7241]

@@TrekkingExploration yes there is. went looking for the old stations on the line, i'm biulding a oo gauge model of Whitwell station.

[@davecannon334]

Great video..may I ask what type of torch you are using..

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much. It's a Fenix TK75

[@elainemclelland5121]

Oh Ant, you did make me laugh .... let's count how many times Ant says "look" in the video 😅. That aside, another great video, so sad the entrances are being left to wrack and ruin. 😢

[@TrekkingExploration]

Now I need to look back and take a listen and look at how many times I say look 😂

[@fhwolthuis]

Great video! Link to Helenas channel is broken BTW

[@TrekkingExploration]

Try again it should be okay now

[@lastchristmas8961]

I walked through it as a nipper on a school trip. We got into trouble 😂

[@johnspurgeon9083]

Unusual to be able to walk into and out of a tunnel these days! At the end we saw evidence of what may be a secure fence near Dean crossing (where the line crossed the road).

[@TrekkingExploration]

It was very odd. It was a farm style gate with a side opening and a public footpath sign

[@fireclown7751]

great seeing the tunnel again i was the one that camped in it with the ghosts.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Ha ha did you get much sleep? I've been toying doing similar

[@fireclown7751]

@@TrekkingExploration yes its very pease full in there you might have seen the bed I made were the ghosts were. I'm planing on doing another camp there soon.

[@jetsons101]

Ant, that tunnel would be perfect for a LONG Halloween Haunted House "tunnel" walk-thru maze. That would be 690 yards "2070 feet" to scare the crap out of people--fun times. Thanks to Ant and team for another fine watch.....

[@TrekkingExploration]

Ha ha I know. I mean without a good torch those wires could be dangerous

[@jetsons101]

@@TrekkingExploration That's the fun part......... Back to work for me.

[@KieronYoung-h3n]

Has anyone been here it’s well good

[@arthurreeder8451]

A couple of things. Firstly, over 100 years untouched and now some moron has gone down there with a spray can! What is wrong with these people? But the northern portal was the entrance for the mushroom farm. The farm only went about halfway down. The St.Lawrence end used to be physically blocked off for safety. There was also an emaciated dead dog behind the blocking off as it couldn't get out. The mushroom farm had very poor electrical work to it and I condemned it in the early 00s. There was an awful lot of water penetration at the northern end, mostly through the crown brickwork. I am glad that all the polythene drapes and open flood lights are now gone. It really was an accident waiting to happen and trying to get out in the dark is a non starter. I wish the southern end would get blocked back up again though if only to keep out the spray can loonies.

[@PeteJames-d7p]

My Gran would have gone through that tunnel every day to get to school and back.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Awww that's quite a thing to remember. Thank you for watching

[@shavedphil]

Are those things on the cable brackets called isolators are something similar?

[@TrekkingExploration]

That's it! That proper stumped me at the time

[@746laurie]

They are insulators not isolators, the latter being a large switch controlling electrical current. I have two, a small white one which was given to me by a friend who picked it up when walking the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway decades ago before restoration of the line commenced and the other is a large green glass one which I unscrewed from a fallen telegraph pole on the partially restored Sibiu-Agnita Railway in Romania. Don't worry, it was removed with permission whilst checking for sleepers which needed replacement.

[@shavedphil]

Hi. After I typed isolators I was sure that I had made a mistake. Thanks for confirming the correct name.

[@ISLEOFWIGHTARCHIVE]

I have always wondered what the small building was at 13:33 also. The north portal was full of junk but was cleared out a couple of years ago . Some amateur 1932 family cine film I own of St. Lawrence Station a few hundred yards from the southern portal. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2W2ZHuVntpqrc0

[@philipbonner6486]

Ive walked though this tunnel many times and Ventnor Tunnel.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Ventnor would be good although unlikely 😔

[@phillipbonner9944]

​@@TrekkingExplorationTry the other end of the Ventnor tunnel in Wroxall you might be lucky.

[@TrekkingExploration]

@@phillipbonner9944 I'm actually back there next week

[@phillipbonner9944]

@@TrekkingExploration Good luck

[@interestedperson8633]

Who was the other two people doing the videos too please

[@TrekkingExploration]

They are in the description and on screen too 👍

[@whyyoulidl]

They're here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZPWgq2df91ngNU

[@kenbearsley8322]

That old rail line would be good as a cycle trail. Get people that are on periodic detention (sorry. Not sure what british version is. Ones who have to do community work for minor offences) tidy all that old line from one end to the other. Get structural engineers in to make sure the tunnel is safe, that old building at the northern end, put public toilets there, maybe use the old hooks through the tunnel for lighting. Be surprised how many cyclists and trampers would do that trail once they hear about. Wouldn't cost the tax payers too much. Would get payed off within a couple years from tourists spending in the towns at either end.

[@martinwelsford1353]

My childhood memory was of rides behind Mr Adams lovely 02 tank engines with 3 or 6 up. It seemed to start very soon after Wroxall station and came out in Ventnor station itself with all those caves. I remember a small turntable at the end of the platform , used instead of point work to get the loco onto a release road. At the other end the light loco entered the tunnel to clear the points, collect the single line token and come onto its train. The signal box was decorated with hanging baskets. Really interesting video.

[@janettetaylor8760]

Again they can use these tunnel for cycling and walking running and tourism

[@TrekkingExploration]

This one absolutely it's a good one for such an Idea

[@helenawanders]

They look familiar

[@TrekkingExploration]

Best avoided lol

[@Richard_hudds]

😱

[@F4Insight-uq6nt]

Culvert Obviously.. No evidence of Train tracks.

[@ltgray2780]

Insulators.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thats it lol

[@lewis72]

1:16 "Helena Wanders & Richard Eez/Ease/he's (?) on KZbin. I shall put the links on there" - Where ??

[@TrekkingExploration]

Wow calm yourself have you watched it all yet? Then you will see!