The Summit Tunnel: A Testament to Victorian Engineering and Resilience

The Pennines, a formidable range of hills in Northern England, presented a significant obstacle to the burgeoning railway network of the 19th century. But where there's a will, there's a way, and the Victorians, with their characteristic ingenuity, carved a path through the heart of these hills: the Summit Tunnel. This 1.6-mile marvel of engineering, connecting Littleborough in Greater Manchester with Walsden in West Yorkshire, stands as a testament to the vision and determination of its builders, and a fascinating story of both triumph and challenge.

Construction of the Summit Tunnel began in 1837 under the watchful eye of the legendary George Stephenson. This ambitious project aimed to create a crucial rail link between the industrial powerhouses of Leeds and Manchester. The sheer scale of the undertaking is staggering. Around a thousand navvies toiled for four years, excavating through the unforgiving terrain. Tragically, nine men lost their lives during the construction, a stark reminder of the dangers faced by these pioneering workers.

The numbers involved in the tunnel's construction are truly impressive: 23 million bricks and 8,000 tonnes of concrete were used. The final cost, a staggering £285,000, significantly overran the initial budget of £97,000, highlighting the challenges inherent in such a monumental task. Upon its opening in 1841, the Summit Tunnel briefly held the title of the longest tunnel in the world, a testament to Stephenson's ambition and skill. He considered it his greatest piece of railway engineering, famously declaring, "I stake my reputation and my head that the tunnel will never fail so as to injure any human life."

For nearly a century and a half, the tunnel served as a vital artery, facilitating the movement of people and goods across the Pennines. Its continuous service was only interrupted by a dramatic event in 1984. A goods train carrying petrol tankers derailed within the tunnel, triggering a devastating fire. The inferno raged for two days, capturing national attention and raising serious concerns about the tunnel's structural integrity. The fire brigade battled tirelessly to bring the blaze under control, finally issuing the stop signal on Christmas Eve. The aftermath saw the tunnel closed for eight months.

The fire, while dramatic, ultimately revealed the resilience of Stephenson's masterpiece. Despite the intense heat, the brick lining held firm, requiring only minimal repairs. Approximately half a mile of track and the electrical services needed replacing, and some of the air shafts required reinforcement. Before the tunnel was reopened, local residents were given the opportunity to walk through it, a gesture that underscored the community's connection to this vital piece of infrastructure. Train services between Todmorden and Littleborough resumed on August 19, 1985.

The Summit Tunnel stands as a powerful symbol of Victorian engineering prowess. It's a story of vision, hard work, tragedy, and ultimately, resilience. From its construction in the 19th century to its dramatic encounter with fire in the 20th, the tunnel has played a crucial role in the history of the region. It continues to serve as a vital transportation link today, a testament to the enduring legacy of George Stephenson and the men who built this remarkable feat of engineering.

The pictures below were taken with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet on November 14, 2013. The feature is the tunnel's eastern portal, a few of the tunnel's air shafts, and a number taken from the hills above the tunnel looking down into the valley and landscapes below. Clicking any image should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

The following 2 short films were taken at the tunnels Northern (Western) portal.

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This shows a Leeds bound train leaving the tunnel in the direction of Walsden. It was filmed in August 2017.

This was filmed in November 2013 and shows a Manchester bound pacer train entering the tunnel.

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BMW Z3 and Z4.

A friend's passion for BMW's Z-series roadsters inspired these photos. After years of enjoying his Z3, he recently upgraded to a Z4, and these images commemorate the occasion. The Z3, a landmark vehicle for BMW (produced in Greer, South Carolina, 1995-2002), was their first model built entirely outside Germany. The Z4, its successor, continues the legacy, with production spanning from Greer to Regensburg, Germany, and a third generation launched in 2018.

Taken on July 4, 2015, with a Polaroid iS2132 Bridge Camera, these pictures celebrate a new chapter in my friend's driving experience. Clicking any image should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

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Early Morning Sunrise in Zeebrugge.

These photos capture a moment etched in my memory: the November dawn breaking over the port of Zeebrugge, Belgium. Our ship was just arriving, a prelude to a magical trip to Bruges. That sunrise, a burst of color against the industrial harbour, felt like a promise of the beauty to come. It's funny how the start of a day can amplify the wonder of a place, and Bruges certainly lived up to that promise

 

The pictures were taken using a Polaroid IS2132 bridge camera on November 2, 2015. Clicking any image should open a link in another window to my Colin Green photography store on Zazzle.

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Canal Wharf Saw Mills: A Story of Industry, Fire, and Redevelopment

Canal Wharf Saw Mills, built in 1851, occupied a prominent location in Hebden Royd, West Yorkshire, nestled between Mytholmroyd and Hebden Bridge. Its position alongside the A646 Burnley Road, the Rochdale Canal, and the River Calder proved both advantageous and detrimental. While the waterways facilitated transportation during its industrial heyday, they also subjected the mill to repeated flooding, ultimately contributing to its decline.

Originally a working sawmill, the site later became home to the renowned Walkley Clogs. Tragedy struck in 1990 when an arson attack caused significant fire damage. The mill was subsequently refurbished and transformed into a popular tourist attraction, featuring a clog-making visitor center and various craft shops. However, the influx of visitors created traffic congestion, and despite several attempts, planning applications for necessary road improvements were repeatedly rejected. This ultimately led to the closure of the tourist attraction in the late 1990s.

The mill then sat vacant, a target for various redevelopment proposals, primarily for apartments. Each application, however, was denied due to concerns about flooding, access, and inadequate parking. The final blow came in 2019 when another devastating fire ravaged the already dilapidated structure, leading to its demolition shortly thereafter.

For nearly two years, the cleared site remained empty. Recently, however, planning permission has been granted for the construction of residential housing, marking a new chapter in the history of this once-bustling industrial location.

These photographs, captured on November 24, 2013, with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet, document the mill in its abandoned state before the final fire and demolition. Clicking any image should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

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 The following 3 pictures belong to a friend of mine who viewed the mill in 2015/16.

Majestic Ribblehead Viaduct: A Feat of Victorian Engineering

The Ribblehead Viaduct, a magnificent testament to Victorian engineering, has captivated visitors for generations. My own visit in April 2015, armed with my trusty Polaroid IS2132 digital bridge camera, only deepened my appreciation for this iconic structure. Having long desired to see it in person, I seized the opportunity while exploring nearby Kirkby Lonsdale.

Also known as Batty Moss Viaduct, this impressive structure stretches across the valley approximately 13 miles north of Settle and 73 miles south of Carlisle, carrying the renowned Settle-Carlisle Railway. Its presence is a powerful reminder of the ambition and hardship that characterized the railway's construction.

Getting there is part of the experience. The Ribblehead Railway Station sits adjacent to the viaduct, offering a scenic train journey of about 1 hour and 20 minutes from Leeds. For those driving, the B6255 road, connecting Hawes and Ingleton, passes right by.

Designed by the skilled engineer John Sydney Crossley, the viaduct's construction was a monumental undertaking. The first stone was laid on October 12, 1870, and the last in 1874. Imagine the scene: a thousand "navvies" toiling tirelessly, establishing temporary shanty towns on the moors for themselves and their families. These settlements, bearing names inspired by Crimean War victories, affluent London districts, and biblical figures, paint a vivid picture of the era. However, this ambitious project came at a cost. Smallpox epidemics and industrial accidents claimed the lives of approximately one hundred workers during construction, a stark reminder of the dangers they faced. The graveyard at Chapel-le-Dale holds around 200 burials from this period, a poignant testament to their sacrifice, and the church there houses a memorial to these railway workers.

The line over the viaduct first opened to goods traffic on August 3, 1875, but passenger trains didn't begin running until May 1, 1876, following an inspection and approval by Colonel F. H. Rich of the Board of Trade. Even in later years, the viaduct has seen its share of drama. In 1964, several brand new Humber cars were infamously blown off their freight train carriages while crossing the viaduct.

The sheer scale of the Ribblehead Viaduct is breathtaking. It spans 440 yards (400 m) in length and towers 104 feet (32 m) above the valley floor at its highest point. Comprising twenty-four arches, each with a 45-foot (14 m) span, and foundations reaching 25 feet (7.6 m) deep, the viaduct is a masterpiece of structural engineering. The ingenious design incorporates thicker piers every sixth arch, providing a crucial safeguard against potential collapse. A subtle gradient of 1:100 exists along the viaduct, with the north end sitting 13 feet (4.0 m) higher than the south. The construction consumed a staggering 1.5 million bricks, with some limestone blocks weighing a hefty 8 tonnes each.

As the longest viaduct on the Settle-Carlisle Railway, Ribblehead Viaduct holds a prominent place in railway history. Ribblehead railway station lies less than half a mile to the south, while the Blea Moor Tunnel, the line's longest tunnel, lies to the north. The viaduct stands near the foot of Whernside, adding to the stunning natural beauty of the area.

The Settle-Carlisle Line itself is a vital artery, one of three major north-south routes in Britain. Its survival is a testament to public passion. In the 1980s, British Rail attempted to close the line, citing safety concerns and the high cost of repairs. The viaduct, they claimed, was unsafe. A partial solution, implemented in 1985, involved singling the line across the viaduct and imposing a 30 mph speed limit. However, the closure proposals sparked widespread protests, ultimately leading to their retraction. The viaduct, along with the rest of the line, was repaired and maintained, ensuring its continued operation.

While Ribblehead is the longest, other impressive viaducts grace the Settle-Carlisle line, including the taller Smardale Viaduct (131 feet/40 m) and Arten Gill Viaduct (117 feet/36 m).

Today, the Ribblehead Viaduct continues to play a vital role. In 2016, it carried seven passenger trains from Leeds to Carlisle daily in each direction, alongside special long-distance excursions, often hauled by magnificent steam locomotives. Regular freight trains also utilize the route, relieving congestion on the West Coast Main Line. Keep an eye out for the Colas Rail timber train, a Friday afternoon fixture, often pulled by powerful Class 56 locomotives, and the limestone aggregate train from Arcow quarry, which requires a fascinating reversal maneuver at Blea Moor signal box. These regular workings, along with the stunning scenery, make a visit to the Ribblehead Viaduct a truly memorable experience.

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Ingleborough Peak, the 2nd highest mountain in Yorkshire can be seen in the distance. I climbed the steep embankment to take this picture.

Although it may look different this picture was taken without accessing the track area. I lent across the fence having checked no trains were due. 

This picture was taken in August 1976, it shows the viaduct still crossed by 2 lines, it was singled in the 1980's, when once again it was being targeted for closure.

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