Ashby tunnel opened in 1804, work started in 1799 and the walls had to be built to 18" thick, with the arch at 13", and the invert 9". Built originally as a canal tunnel between interconnecting canals on the Coventry canal, it was seen as a cheaper way than extending the canal. It was used so that the mining districts around the area could use it. The first carts through were drawn by horse as a tramway. It was later improved for proper railway use, and the tunnel was shortened and rebored from 447 yards to 308 yards and laid track for single gauge use by the . The line continued in use till 1915 then it closed till the second world war when it was reopened again for the army to use. It was passed back to the London Midland Scottish railway after the war but traffic never really returned, the line finally closed in 1955. Visited this with man gone wrong as we were that way. Apparently one end is badly flooded and I guess that is why there is a massive brick wall built in the middle. The tunnel suffered water problems throughout its history.
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