Dent'ed, Shafted, and Cemented
Managed a full camera pack, flask, lunch, and a bit of a yomp today - worth it too given the weather up on the S&C.
GBRf Shed 66720 approaches the northern portal of Blea Moor Tunnel just after crossing Dent Head Viaduct with the 9.02am Carlisle New Yard - Clitheroe Castle Cement tanks (4M00).
At 2,629 yards (2,404m) Blea Moor tunnel is the longest on the Settle and Carlisle Railway by some distance. Completed by the Midland Railway in 1875 some seven shafts were used during its construction with gangs lowered up to 500 feet below the surface of the moor to the work faces - one in each direction for each shaft. Even with 16 gangs simultaneously employed, it still took almost 4 years to complete. Afterwards, four of the shafts were filled in, while three were retained for ventilation purposes - one of which I'm stood in front of for this shot.
Interestingly enough the County Line passes over the top of the tunnel - I happen to be stood in Cumbria, and Yorkshire is some 200-300 yards behind me.
10.19am, 26th November 2018
Dent'ed, Shafted, and Cemented
Managed a full camera pack, flask, lunch, and a bit of a yomp today - worth it too given the weather up on the S&C.
GBRf Shed 66720 approaches the northern portal of Blea Moor Tunnel just after crossing Dent Head Viaduct with the 9.02am Carlisle New Yard - Clitheroe Castle Cement tanks (4M00).
At 2,629 yards (2,404m) Blea Moor tunnel is the longest on the Settle and Carlisle Railway by some distance. Completed by the Midland Railway in 1875 some seven shafts were used during its construction with gangs lowered up to 500 feet below the surface of the moor to the work faces - one in each direction for each shaft. Even with 16 gangs simultaneously employed, it still took almost 4 years to complete. Afterwards, four of the shafts were filled in, while three were retained for ventilation purposes - one of which I'm stood in front of for this shot.
Interestingly enough the County Line passes over the top of the tunnel - I happen to be stood in Cumbria, and Yorkshire is some 200-300 yards behind me.
10.19am, 26th November 2018