One I never got around to posting at the time. Visited with a non-member.
HISTORY
Proposals for the Mitcheldean Road & Forest of Dean Junction Railway first emerged in 1871, the intention being to link communities north of Cinderford with the Great Western’s Gloucester-Hereford line via Ross-on-Wye. Effectively an extension of the Whimsey branch, it was a relatively modest scheme at only 3¼ miles in length.
The southernmost mile of line did become operational in 1885 when trains started to serve a goods station at Speedwell. The terminus was extended further north in 1907 with the introduction of a railmotor service between Newnham and Drybrook Halt, but this was withdrawn after just 23 years. Although the track northwards was lifted in 1917, it was relaid as far as Drybrook Quarry in 1928 and to sidings serving the Admiralty in 1939. The branch succumbed to closure in February 1953, the track being removed once and for all in 1957.
From Micheldean Road, the line climbed a stiff ruling gradient of 1:40 to reach its summit at Hawthorns Tunnel, driven under Euroclydon House which provides the structure with its alternative, unofficial name. Hawthorns Tunnel hosted the single track for 638 yards, following an S-shaped alignment. Beyond the north end, the line was cut into a steep valley side before curving eastwards into the approach cutting. Built in stone, the portal is asymmetrical, with a long triangular wing wall on one side but only a buttress on the other.
Towards this end of the tunnel, pink Tintern Sandstone is revealed between discrete collars of stonework. The layering of the rock is most striking in the largest of the unlined sections. Beyond this to the south, the lining is largely unbroken as interbedded mudstone and limestone of the Avon group is encountered. The profile and alignment of the tunnel is quite variable which is perhaps indicative of constructional difficulties. There are no open shafts but, given the tunnel’s length, one or more hidden shafts cannot be ruled out.
During the Second World War, the Admiralty used the tunnel for the storage of depth charges, torpedoes and mines from the Royal Ordnance factories at Swynnerton and Glascoed. The facility was remotely managed from Malvern but operated by a team of around a dozen men. To assist with the work, a narrow gauge railway was installed on the east side of the tunnel - laid on a concrete floor - whilst racks were built on the opposite side, supported by steelwork sitting on concrete plinths. Lighting was also provided throughout.
(From Forgottenrelics)
PHOTOS
1. Gate
2. Sleeper
3. Mist
4. Drum
5. Stone
6. Arch
7. Concrete
8. Red
9. Contraption
10. Light
Thanks for looking !!
HISTORY
Proposals for the Mitcheldean Road & Forest of Dean Junction Railway first emerged in 1871, the intention being to link communities north of Cinderford with the Great Western’s Gloucester-Hereford line via Ross-on-Wye. Effectively an extension of the Whimsey branch, it was a relatively modest scheme at only 3¼ miles in length.
The southernmost mile of line did become operational in 1885 when trains started to serve a goods station at Speedwell. The terminus was extended further north in 1907 with the introduction of a railmotor service between Newnham and Drybrook Halt, but this was withdrawn after just 23 years. Although the track northwards was lifted in 1917, it was relaid as far as Drybrook Quarry in 1928 and to sidings serving the Admiralty in 1939. The branch succumbed to closure in February 1953, the track being removed once and for all in 1957.
From Micheldean Road, the line climbed a stiff ruling gradient of 1:40 to reach its summit at Hawthorns Tunnel, driven under Euroclydon House which provides the structure with its alternative, unofficial name. Hawthorns Tunnel hosted the single track for 638 yards, following an S-shaped alignment. Beyond the north end, the line was cut into a steep valley side before curving eastwards into the approach cutting. Built in stone, the portal is asymmetrical, with a long triangular wing wall on one side but only a buttress on the other.
Towards this end of the tunnel, pink Tintern Sandstone is revealed between discrete collars of stonework. The layering of the rock is most striking in the largest of the unlined sections. Beyond this to the south, the lining is largely unbroken as interbedded mudstone and limestone of the Avon group is encountered. The profile and alignment of the tunnel is quite variable which is perhaps indicative of constructional difficulties. There are no open shafts but, given the tunnel’s length, one or more hidden shafts cannot be ruled out.
During the Second World War, the Admiralty used the tunnel for the storage of depth charges, torpedoes and mines from the Royal Ordnance factories at Swynnerton and Glascoed. The facility was remotely managed from Malvern but operated by a team of around a dozen men. To assist with the work, a narrow gauge railway was installed on the east side of the tunnel - laid on a concrete floor - whilst racks were built on the opposite side, supported by steelwork sitting on concrete plinths. Lighting was also provided throughout.
(From Forgottenrelics)
PHOTOS
1. Gate
2. Sleeper
3. Mist
4. Drum
5. Stone
6. Arch
7. Concrete
8. Red
9. Contraption
10. Light
Thanks for looking !!
