will never reopen unfortunately,i have been working in these tunnels and the new electricty alliance project have ensured this by running the whole trans pennine electricity route through tunnel no1 instead of pylons over the hill tops
The closure of the Woodhead route was a very basic error. Although the technology was old (although very new when the electrification was start in the 1930s) the whole route could have been converted from 1.5kV d.c. to 25kV a.c. Other countries still use 1.5kV d.c. It's worthwhile visiting the old Penistone Electrical Control Room - it was a technological marvel at the time and ended up being an apprentice school. Let's hope this route is just 'sleeping' and will re-awake when sanity returns.
National Grid is using the 1953 tunnel simply because it would cost a bomb to repair the Victorian tunnels! It's a short-termist, cost-cutting exercise.
If government stepped in and invested money in getting the National Grid to repair the Victorian tunnels and use them again, it would be far better for everyone. The 1950s tunnel is far too precious to be used for something that really doesn't need that much clearance (i.e wires).
I can hardly believe that our Government doesn't see sense.
@bwhugul i thought they were using the small tunnel on the left, and the right hand small tunnel was for access/maintenance? as far as i'm aware there aren't any wires going through the big tunnel yet, although it does look like they are working on that tunnel at the minute
The two older tunnels were used by steam locomotives when the line first opened, when it switched to electric traction they were too small to fit a train and overhead wires through, hence the 1950's tunnel.
There is/was a plan to run a wagon trains from Tinsley to M63. It would free up the M1, M62 Woodhead road and those villages of all those wagons. Why is it other countries just do it, and all we ever do is talk about it. Then you hear our politicians telling us how the environment is so close to their hearts. Bless em.
Nope - UK government has no plans to reopen any lines in England. It says that 'capacity on existing lines is a higher priority'. That's all very well but where is there the space to increase capacity on the parallel Hope Valley? On the Woodhead Route there were already many sections of FOUR TRACKS. LOADS of expresses AND local stoppers AND freight could have been fitted in. Apparently the relatively small sum of £160 million would bring back this route and instantly provide much needed capacity
will never reopen unfortunately,i have been working in these tunnels and the new electricty alliance project have ensured this by running the whole trans pennine electricity route through tunnel no1 instead of pylons over the hill tops
TheAdge31 5 months ago
The closure of the Woodhead route was a very basic error. Although the technology was old (although very new when the electrification was start in the 1930s) the whole route could have been converted from 1.5kV d.c. to 25kV a.c. Other countries still use 1.5kV d.c. It's worthwhile visiting the old Penistone Electrical Control Room - it was a technological marvel at the time and ended up being an apprentice school. Let's hope this route is just 'sleeping' and will re-awake when sanity returns.
atlanticcoastexpress 7 months ago
rather than close the tunnel, wouldnt it have been better to convert the DC wiring to AC wiring ?
Xantec 1 year ago
I remember doing a projest on this for history at School in the early 80s. The tracks were down although there were no trains running.
A great shame, it's a beautiful part of the world but God only knows why there was a station at Woodhead, there is absolutely nothing there
trimmytrab 2 years ago
the place looked well cared for, why? could'nt you get in?
tonyreno123 2 years ago
I used to work at woodhead box and torside in the 80s
3683819 2 years ago
National Grid is using the 1953 tunnel simply because it would cost a bomb to repair the Victorian tunnels! It's a short-termist, cost-cutting exercise.
If government stepped in and invested money in getting the National Grid to repair the Victorian tunnels and use them again, it would be far better for everyone. The 1950s tunnel is far too precious to be used for something that really doesn't need that much clearance (i.e wires).
I can hardly believe that our Government doesn't see sense.
bwhugul 3 years ago
@bwhugul i thought they were using the small tunnel on the left, and the right hand small tunnel was for access/maintenance? as far as i'm aware there aren't any wires going through the big tunnel yet, although it does look like they are working on that tunnel at the minute
JTV84 1 year ago
it's easy to get down off the main woodhead pass manchester/sheffield road,
go down the little lane,in summer this is a nice place ,but stand by the tunnel and feel the cold air!blowing through,
i walked this in 1982 after the trains had gone!what an experience this was
GWR1940 4 years ago
How did you get down there?I tried to get down to look at the tunnel but I was told I,m not allowed to go down there.
andrewbarrett42 4 years ago
The two older tunnels were used by steam locomotives when the line first opened, when it switched to electric traction they were too small to fit a train and overhead wires through, hence the 1950's tunnel.
gaz318 4 years ago
There is/was a plan to run a wagon trains from Tinsley to M63. It would free up the M1, M62 Woodhead road and those villages of all those wagons. Why is it other countries just do it, and all we ever do is talk about it. Then you hear our politicians telling us how the environment is so close to their hearts. Bless em.
JohnnyWaterbucket 4 years ago 5
man what a waste
ashita100 4 years ago 3
isn't this line due to re-open?
LeamingtonSteve 4 years ago
Nope - UK government has no plans to reopen any lines in England. It says that 'capacity on existing lines is a higher priority'. That's all very well but where is there the space to increase capacity on the parallel Hope Valley? On the Woodhead Route there were already many sections of FOUR TRACKS. LOADS of expresses AND local stoppers AND freight could have been fitted in. Apparently the relatively small sum of £160 million would bring back this route and instantly provide much needed capacity
bwhugul 3 years ago 3
yes the UK certainly knows how to waste its assets on short term-ism. Look at the railways and the oil and gas!
LeamingtonSteve 3 years ago 3
@LeamingtonSteve in our wildest dreams,should never have shut in the first place
porno6361 1 year ago
Cordless grinder anyone?????
Im dyin to walk through it!!!!
bazrippa 4 years ago
These are very long tunnels.
andrewbarrett42 4 years ago
next to the big tunnel on the left are two older tunnels that were for horse drawn carts I think.
henapen 4 years ago
no - sorry that's wrong! just earlier train tunnels that were superceded by the 1954 tunnel
henapen 4 years ago