Report - Marefield Culvert - Leics - August 2016

[elhomer12]

Ok, so this is my second visit to this little culvert, and despite being armed with a map too it took me an embarrassingly long time to actually find it since the area is a little overgrown. The last time I visited we only made it about 10m down the second outfall tunnel before giving up... this time I was on my own, but much better equipped.

History (partly stolen from wombat)
The GNR & LNWR joint railway line ran from Nottingham (or Newark), via Melton Mowbray, and on to Market Harborough & Northampton, built around 1879. Passenger services were only around six per day in each direction, although it was more heavily used by goods traffic. The 2nd branch headed westwards terminating at Leicester Belgrave Road. The lines closed to regular traffic in 1953.

This culvert is located beneath the northern junction of the Marefield junction, which was part of the aforementioned railway line. The junction takes its name from the nearby hamlet of Marefield. At the eastern end is the infall, which is a single large tunnel wth a grate across it. At the outfall the culvert is split into two tunnels, however it seems one is usually blocked up with mud with water only flowing out of the other.

...and now without further ado, on with the pics

(Excuse the crap pic and my tripod, taken on the way out and I couldn't be bothered)

​

 

[Yorrick]

Wow! Stunning shots mate!

 

[Punk]

Nicely done
It's a nice little mooch down there.
There's plenty more in that area

 

[Bolts]

Nice this

 

[elhomer12]

Nicely done
It's a nice little mooch down there.
There's plenty more in that area

I did have a look for the other Culvert that's supposed to be on the other side of the junction but couldn't find it. All I could find was a 2ft one. Report from Loddington still to come

 

[Punk]

I did have a look for the other Culvert that's supposed to be on the other side of the junction but couldn't find it. All I could find was a 2ft one. Report from Loddington still to come

That's what I like to hear
You still on for next weekend?

 

[elhomer12]

You still on for next weekend?

Oh yes

 

[The Wombat]

Another excellent report
First went in this one around 16 years ago (very ill prepared back in those days!)

There's 2 more half reasonable culverts in that area you may also be interested in.

 

[Punk]

There's 2 more half reasonable culverts in that area you may also be interested in.

Not forgetting the tunnels

 

[elhomer12]

Another excellent report
First went in this one around 16 years ago (very ill prepared back in those days!)

There's 2 more half reasonable culverts in that area you may also be interested in.

I went looking for the black spinney one having thought I'd located it on the map, but I couldn't find it. Going by how long it took me to find this one having been before, it's quite possible It was there and I just didn't see it. Is twyford the other one, or is there another closer?

 

[The Wombat]

I went looking for the black spinney one having thought I'd located it on the map, but I couldn't find it. Going by how long it took me to find this one having been before, it's quite possible It was there and I just didn't see it. Is twyford the other one, or is there another closer?

Twyford is one, there are twin tunnels. Don't think I've reported on it, but it's easy to find by the road.

Black spinney is a bit trickier; head Loddington direction from Marefield junction East; it's not too far, by a track. If you've found these, you will be able to find it
If not, give me a shout.

7 good old railway tunnels in Leicestershire that are worth checking out

 

[elhomer12]

Black spinney is a bit trickier; head Loddington direction from Marefield junction East; it's not too far, by a track. If you've found these, you will be able to find it
If not, give me a shout.

Ah, I was looking in the wrong place then, it's a little further down the line than I thought I'll have to go and check it out next time I'm in the area, which probably won't be long

I've started on the tunnels too, done one or two, still more to go....