situated between the saddleworth villages of grasscroft and grotton. this tunnel wich measures an impressive 60.17 chains (1335 yards OR 0.76 miles) and was constructed in 1856 for the LNWR finally closed in 1955.
i visited a few years back with stepping lightly and the place was in a poor condition at best.
there was some to-do in the oldham chron a few years back too about residents concerns that it was about to collapse and this pressed network rail to carry out some remedial works not long after.
i have been meaning to get back to this one, and see for myself what network rail have done to the structure to ensure its stability, i was suprised to say the least!! overall the tunnel seems alot drier and plenty of brickwork has been replaced in patches throughout.
anyhow, pics...
the grotton portal
relic
old wooden cable troughing
the centre airshaft, these have all been capped off, but notice the new brickwork and steel strapping to hold it all together
more new brickwork, with drain pipes
the airshaft at the grasscroft end, this is STILL in poor condition with brickwork falling in and bricks missing throughout. this is also the wettest of the shafts
refuge
tunnel
grasscroft portal
action thompski
a good night TBH, glad i got back in there!!
B..
i visited a few years back with stepping lightly and the place was in a poor condition at best.
there was some to-do in the oldham chron a few years back too about residents concerns that it was about to collapse and this pressed network rail to carry out some remedial works not long after.
i have been meaning to get back to this one, and see for myself what network rail have done to the structure to ensure its stability, i was suprised to say the least!! overall the tunnel seems alot drier and plenty of brickwork has been replaced in patches throughout.
anyhow, pics...
the grotton portal
relic
old wooden cable troughing
the centre airshaft, these have all been capped off, but notice the new brickwork and steel strapping to hold it all together
more new brickwork, with drain pipes
the airshaft at the grasscroft end, this is STILL in poor condition with brickwork falling in and bricks missing throughout. this is also the wettest of the shafts
refuge
tunnel
grasscroft portal
action thompski
a good night TBH, glad i got back in there!!
B..