Butterhouse Tunnel - 329yards.
Constructed by the London and North Western Railway Company (LNWR) the 329 yard Butterhouse Tunnel was part of the “Micklehurst Loop” running between Standedge and Stalybridge, Opened in 1886 to aid congestion on the mainline running between the same locations under normal circumstances the existing infrastructure would have been widened to accommodate two additional tracks although given the terrain this was deemed unachievable. Mainly used for the conveyance of goods traffic probably to allow for the passenger traffic to maintain higher speeds on the mainline, the Micklehurst Loop consisted of three tunnels over its length of seven miles, Stalybridge Tunnel (510yds), Royal George Tunnel (140yds) and Butterhouse Tunnel (329yds) the route fell to closure in 1966 although a short section at the southern end remained in use until 1972 serving the nearby Hartshead PowerStation. The western approach to Butterhouse has long since been infilled but the eastern portal remains open and unsecured, constructed in engineering brick the main lining is seven courses at the crown, at the eastern end 3 to 6 courses of red brick has been added for strengthening purposes, the Tunnel has a slight curve at its western end, plenty of refuges for track workers all would have been fitted with the white ceramic plates to aid visible in the dark conditions, cable hangers run throughout the tunnels length. The tunnels roof is littered with short stalactites making for a very interesting sight. Several sections of cable troughs are noted dumped near the western end presumably left over since closure in 1966. A recent report suggested reopening the Micklehurst Loop to aid once again in congestion on the main Pennine route although this has since been dismissed as unviable so it’s unlikely Butterhouse Tunnel will ever see a use again.
I’ve tried to set the images out as if you were walking through the tunnel yourself, Hope they’re of interest..
Thanks everyone, See you all on the next...
Constructed by the London and North Western Railway Company (LNWR) the 329 yard Butterhouse Tunnel was part of the “Micklehurst Loop” running between Standedge and Stalybridge, Opened in 1886 to aid congestion on the mainline running between the same locations under normal circumstances the existing infrastructure would have been widened to accommodate two additional tracks although given the terrain this was deemed unachievable. Mainly used for the conveyance of goods traffic probably to allow for the passenger traffic to maintain higher speeds on the mainline, the Micklehurst Loop consisted of three tunnels over its length of seven miles, Stalybridge Tunnel (510yds), Royal George Tunnel (140yds) and Butterhouse Tunnel (329yds) the route fell to closure in 1966 although a short section at the southern end remained in use until 1972 serving the nearby Hartshead PowerStation. The western approach to Butterhouse has long since been infilled but the eastern portal remains open and unsecured, constructed in engineering brick the main lining is seven courses at the crown, at the eastern end 3 to 6 courses of red brick has been added for strengthening purposes, the Tunnel has a slight curve at its western end, plenty of refuges for track workers all would have been fitted with the white ceramic plates to aid visible in the dark conditions, cable hangers run throughout the tunnels length. The tunnels roof is littered with short stalactites making for a very interesting sight. Several sections of cable troughs are noted dumped near the western end presumably left over since closure in 1966. A recent report suggested reopening the Micklehurst Loop to aid once again in congestion on the main Pennine route although this has since been dismissed as unviable so it’s unlikely Butterhouse Tunnel will ever see a use again.
I’ve tried to set the images out as if you were walking through the tunnel yourself, Hope they’re of interest..
Thanks everyone, See you all on the next...
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