Dixie Tunnel and Woods, Sowerby Bridge 2013

 Dixie woods is a woodland that climbs from the Calder Valley in the direction of Sowerby Townships from Hollins Mills Lane, Sowerby Bridge, before ending alongside Sowerby Bridge Cemetery. It's proper given name is Dixon Scar Woods but most local people refer to it as Dixie Woods, towards the bottom of the woods flows the River Calder and it is home to Sowerby Bridge Cricket Club, a former cycle oval, football pitch and playing fields. The woodland has a number of footpaths, some leading in the direction of Sowerby, and others in the direction of Sowerby Bridge and one that follows alongside the river in the direction of Tenterfields.

Underneath the woodland runs Dixie Tunnel, its official name is Sowerby Tunnel, but is also referred to as Sowerby Tunnel and Long Tunnel. It was opened in 1840 and is approx. 657yds long leaving the industrial town setting of Sowerby Bridge at its eastern portal before emerging westerly in a rural environment.

The path that runs from Dixie Woods to Tenterfields. The River Calder seen on the left.

Dixie Woods looking in the direction of Sowerby Bridge from Friendly. The Rochdale Canal,
Ladstone and Houghton Towers all visible in the picture.

Dixie Woods pictured from Friendly, the Rochdale Canal running across the bottom.

Path through Dixie Woods away from the tunnel portal. The River Calder can be seen
at the valley bottom.

I've looked a number of times since I took this picture but never found this face again.

The following 2 pictures were taken at the western portal (Tenterfields) of the tunnel. On the day there were no trains running, I was with other people (safety in numbers), was in full railway safety gear, and had permission to be there. Please under no circumstances attempt to access a working railway line, even though lines of sight may give confidence you'll be safe, trains move fast and can approach unknowingly if attention is not being given.

These pictures were taken on various dates in 2013 using a Samsung Galaxy Tablet, they can also be seen un-watermarked, full size and resolution on Clickasnap by clicking the image.

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All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Sowerby Tunnel.

Sowerby Tunnel is a short video I put together featuring pictures and footage of the railway tunnel between Sowerby Bridge and Luddendenfoot on the Caldervale line. The tunnel was built in 1840 by the Manchester & Leeds Railway and runs underneath Sowerby Bridge Cemetery and Dixon Scar Woods. It runs for approx. 657yds leaving the industrial landscape of Sowerby Bridge at it's eastern portal, before exiting to the country setting of Sowerby - Tenterfields - Luddendenfoot at it's western portal. Sowerby Tunnel is also known as Dixy, Long and Cemetery Tunnel. 

The pictures and footage were taken on various dates over the last 6 years. The picture towards the end of the video was taken whilst stood near the tunnels western portal on the track. I had permission to be there, on the day no trains were running and I still complied with full health and safety rules to be there. Please do not ever enter with the property which trains run, it is very dangerous and can lead to death or major life changing injuries.

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