What is the Longest Disused Railway Tunnel in UK

[3141]

More likely to be used by Network Rail and contractors working on the railway in the tunnel due to the available cross passages that give access to the main tunnel.
On major relay work a one way system was set up with selected vehicles only parked in the tunnel and a shuttle back to the main vehicle park at either end of the tunnel.
The "Cathedral" in the centre of the tunnels allowing a short circuit to turn round.

The canal is actually below and between the Running and disused Down tunnels.

When the canal tunnel was first reopened, boats wishing to pass through had to be towed by an electric tug, with three or four boats tied in line behind it. The tug had seats and if you were at the tunnel mouth at the appropriate time you could pay to go through as a foot passenger. I've done it twice. The backup vehicle travelled along one of the unused railway tunnels so as to be available to evacuate people from the canal if necessary. Travelling west to east the vehicle was driven in reverse, which must have been a difficult experience for the crew. At intervals the vehicle crew and the tug crew exchanged signals with torches through the cross passages, to confirm that everything was normal.

 

[yorkie]

Here in Wales, the longest blocked up is at the moment undergoing survey re it's re-opening as a cycle route. This is between Blaencwm and Blaenrhondda
on the old route from Treherbert through the Afan Valley,

Indeed.

The thread Rhondda Tunnel - possible reopening for use as a cycle route? is worth a read.

 

[WatcherZero]

That list of longest tunnels seems to be missing the 1880 Channel Tunnel attempt which was over 2000 yards when cancelled.

 

[Darren R]

That list of longest tunnels seems to be missing the 1880 Channel Tunnel attempt which was over 2000 yards when cancelled.

But since it's only got one 'open' end, doesn't that technically make it a cave rather than a tunnel?

 

[fowler9]

This obviously doesn't count for the UK but I walked through the 1200 yard Karangahake Gorge tunnel in New Zealand. 1100 metres I believe. Is there a tunnel in the UK this long that anyone can just turn up at and walk through?

 

[table38]

This obviously doesn't count for the UK but I walked through the 1200 yard Karangahake Gorge tunnel in New Zealand. 1100 metres I believe. Is there a tunnel in the UK this long that anyone can just turn up at and walk through?

The walk from the Victoria line to the new Northern Ticket Hall at Kings Cross is about that far

 

[fowler9]

The walk from the Victoria line to the new Northern Ticket Hall at Kings Cross is about that far

Ha ha. That is that one answered then. I take it you can't do it for free though.

 

[table38]

Ha ha. That is that one answered then. I take it you can't do it for free though.

I was going to say you can on New Years Eve, but it's labouring the point a bit

 

[fowler9]

I was going to say you can on New Years Eve, but it's labouring the point a bit

Have to be on your best behaviour I would guess. Ha ha.

 

[cool110]

It's not a rail tunnel and you can't walk it, but cyclists are allowed to use the 2 mile long Queensway tunnel under the Mersey at night.

 

[Doctor Fegg]

This obviously doesn't count for the UK but I walked through the 1200 yard Karangahake Gorge tunnel in New Zealand. 1100 metres I believe. Is there a tunnel in the UK this long that anyone can just turn up at and walk through?

Yes, Netherton Tunnel on the Birmingham Canal Navigations: 3027 yards.

 

[fowler9]

Yes, Netherton Tunnel on the Birmingham Canal Navigations: 3027 yards.

Well I was thinking more railway tunnels but that is my eye wiped. Ha ha.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Here in Wales, the longest blocked up tunnel is at the moment undergoing survey re its re-opening as a cycle route. This is between Blaencwm and Blaenrhondda on the old route from Treherbert through the Afan Valley,

Is that the 1.8 mile long Blaencwm tunnel?

 

[PHILIPE]

Is that the 1.8 mile long Blaencwm tunnel?

Yes. Although I have posted on this thread in connection with the title of the thread , this tunnel opening also has it's own thread:-

Rhondda Tunnel - possible reopening for use as a cycle route?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Yes. Although I have posted on this thread in connection with the title of the thread , this tunnel opening also has it's own thread:-

www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2135365

I appear to be having some trouble in accessing that particular link, but I was unaware that there were two threads upon the website.

 

[snowball]

I appear to be having some trouble in accessing that particular link, but I was unaware that there were two threads upon the website.

The title of the thread in question is "Rhondda Tunnel - possible reopening for use as a cycle route?". It was last posted to on 13th April and it's currently on the bottom half of page 5 of this subforum.

 

[richieb1971]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Warden_Tunnel

My video walking through it approx 2 years ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCA5E-waN38

However, the open end I started at is now locked up and you can only access the back end. I know the video has silly sound effects, I put them in to scare people.. but your not scared to watch are you?

 

[Pigeon]

Ee, you lucky bugger. That hole you went in through used to be quite substantially blocked. Someone must have gone down there with quite heavy kit to get it open - not that that surprises me too much. As you noticed it is something of a dumping ground for the local twoccers and it is also a place to go and make a fire and hang out with a few cans.

 

[Retorus]

Lots of candidates, myself included.

You won't be short of competition on this website.

 

[yorkie]

The Monsal Trail in Derbyshire allows walking or cycling through, I think, four tunnels without any permission needed. I think the longest is Chee Tor No 1, but it's not that long.

They're not very long, but there's a lot of them and you can indeed walk through them, which several of us plan to do this summer, you and anyone else are welcome to join us see Monsal Trail walk