Kelmarsh Up & Dwn Tunnels 520yards.
The Kelmarsh Tunnels are situated on the LNWR’s Northampton to Market Harborough line now the Brampton Valley Way multi user path, Originally a single line the “Down” line tunnels were constructed in 1856 - 1859 the single line was forced to penetrate the hills of Kelmarsh & Oxendon the former being driven through strong blue clay, In 1879 due the increased traffic on the line is was doubled with the second tunnel “UP” being To the east of the original tunnel. All portals feature substantial buttresses at either side and curved wing walls, the bores themselves are of horseshoe shape, with the Up tunnel having a rather grand air shaft and is also part of the Brampton Valley way, the Down tunnel has suffered a lack of maintenance and considerable brick deterioration over the years, its has received a several repairs to address the decay, both tunnels have a good amount of refuges which are fitted with white plates to aid visibility to track gangs. Passenger services were withdrawn on the 4/1/1960 however they were restored again from 1969 to 1973 although the line received little maintenance so some sections were as low as 15mph with a max of 45mph in other areas, It finally succumbed to closure the 16th August 1981 with a special charter service working along the line the previous day.
Kelmarsh Up Tunnel 1856 - 1981
Kelmarsh Dn Tunnel 1879 - 1981
Not a great deal to say about the explore, We parked at the old Kelmarsh station site now an official access to the Brampton Valley Way, Tunnel access was easy on all accounts, the tunnel which isn’t used as the trail is gated although sufficient bars have been bent or cut to allow passage! A leisurely explore in all honesty the only hinderence was the amount of walkers I the open tunnel which made light painted interesting! Haha , anyway the images will show you more than I can so enjoy
Thanks for looking
Thanks All
The Kelmarsh Tunnels are situated on the LNWR’s Northampton to Market Harborough line now the Brampton Valley Way multi user path, Originally a single line the “Down” line tunnels were constructed in 1856 - 1859 the single line was forced to penetrate the hills of Kelmarsh & Oxendon the former being driven through strong blue clay, In 1879 due the increased traffic on the line is was doubled with the second tunnel “UP” being To the east of the original tunnel. All portals feature substantial buttresses at either side and curved wing walls, the bores themselves are of horseshoe shape, with the Up tunnel having a rather grand air shaft and is also part of the Brampton Valley way, the Down tunnel has suffered a lack of maintenance and considerable brick deterioration over the years, its has received a several repairs to address the decay, both tunnels have a good amount of refuges which are fitted with white plates to aid visibility to track gangs. Passenger services were withdrawn on the 4/1/1960 however they were restored again from 1969 to 1973 although the line received little maintenance so some sections were as low as 15mph with a max of 45mph in other areas, It finally succumbed to closure the 16th August 1981 with a special charter service working along the line the previous day.
Kelmarsh Up Tunnel 1856 - 1981
Kelmarsh Dn Tunnel 1879 - 1981
Not a great deal to say about the explore, We parked at the old Kelmarsh station site now an official access to the Brampton Valley Way, Tunnel access was easy on all accounts, the tunnel which isn’t used as the trail is gated although sufficient bars have been bent or cut to allow passage! A leisurely explore in all honesty the only hinderence was the amount of walkers I the open tunnel which made light painted interesting! Haha , anyway the images will show you more than I can so enjoy
Thanks for looking
Thanks All
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