I noticed this one hadnt been done recently and its been on my list for a long time so i jumped at the change when i got asked to go. If you plan on going in through the Eastern end dont make the mistake i did and park near the farmers house as he doesnt like people going through his field so best off parking away and walking down. Anyway bit of history altho am sure you already know.
The first rail traffic used the tunnel in 1885.
Drewton Tunnel is one of the longest disused tunnels in the United Kingdom at a length of 1 mile 354 yards (1.933 km),and lies to the east of the shorter Sugar Loaf Tunnel and Weedley Tunnel.
The western portal of Drewton Tunnel is almost entirely buried with landfill and is situated in a chalk quarry operated by Stoneledge. This end of the tunnel has considerable deposits of mud on the former trackbed washed in by rainfall as a result of local quarrying operations. The eastern portal remains open although is protected with a security fence. The tunnel regularly experiences chalkfalls as the lining inside deteriorates in the damp conditions.
The tunnel has five airshafts, the middle airshaft situated adjacent to Riplingham crossroads being the deepest. The area around this airshaft was used a temporary camp for navvies building the tunnel.
The third airshaft situated at Riplingham crossroads,
Drewton Tunnel was closed to rail traffic in 1958. Since closure landfill has threatened the eastern approaches to the tunnel. The 83 foot deep Little Weighton Cutting has been completely filled in, as have other areas of open space around the eastern portal. Despite its continual decay Drewton Tunnel is now home to a large number of bats.
Referances and more visit
http://www.forgottenrelics.co.uk/tunnels/weighton.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drewton_Tunnel
Start of our journey at the eastern portal
.
Looking back to the eastern portal
.
Number 2 shaft
.
Looking towards western end
.
Someone been here before
.
One of the 5 Shafts
.
Near the western end shows how much mud has been washed in
.
Coming out of the Western Portal
Thanks for looking
The first rail traffic used the tunnel in 1885.
Drewton Tunnel is one of the longest disused tunnels in the United Kingdom at a length of 1 mile 354 yards (1.933 km),and lies to the east of the shorter Sugar Loaf Tunnel and Weedley Tunnel.
The western portal of Drewton Tunnel is almost entirely buried with landfill and is situated in a chalk quarry operated by Stoneledge. This end of the tunnel has considerable deposits of mud on the former trackbed washed in by rainfall as a result of local quarrying operations. The eastern portal remains open although is protected with a security fence. The tunnel regularly experiences chalkfalls as the lining inside deteriorates in the damp conditions.
The tunnel has five airshafts, the middle airshaft situated adjacent to Riplingham crossroads being the deepest. The area around this airshaft was used a temporary camp for navvies building the tunnel.
The third airshaft situated at Riplingham crossroads,
Drewton Tunnel was closed to rail traffic in 1958. Since closure landfill has threatened the eastern approaches to the tunnel. The 83 foot deep Little Weighton Cutting has been completely filled in, as have other areas of open space around the eastern portal. Despite its continual decay Drewton Tunnel is now home to a large number of bats.
Referances and more visit
http://www.forgottenrelics.co.uk/tunnels/weighton.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drewton_Tunnel
Start of our journey at the eastern portal
.
Looking back to the eastern portal
.
Number 2 shaft
.
Looking towards western end
.
Someone been here before
.
One of the 5 Shafts
.
Near the western end shows how much mud has been washed in
.
Coming out of the Western Portal
Thanks for looking
