Report - Silverdale Tunnel, Newcastle Under Lyme - December 2014

[paulpowers]

It's a long straight tunnel in reasonably decent condition

The tunnel at Silverdale follows a straight course and extends for 684 yards. A single track still runs through it but the section between the tunnel and former station site was lifted in 2009.

The eastern approach cutting has gently graded sides and is relatively shallow. At its end is a plain portal, built in engineering brick, featuring buttresses either side of the entrance and masonry copings with some brickwork detailing beneath. Seven ties bars have been inserted into the six brick ring faces, secured by pattress plates. These are dated 1996.

Inside, the lining is constructed in red brick. The butt joints between the lengths are unusually pronounced possibly due to penetrating water washing away the accumulated soot around them. There are several areas of spalled brickwork, some of which have undergone patch repairs. Refuges are provided but are few in number.

Some considerable mineral deposits have formed, mostly on the south wall, as a result of water ingress. A number of weep pipes relieve pressure behind the lining. A drain runs down the tunnel's centreline charged by three open catchpits.

A single 9-foot diameter ventilation shaft, also lined in brick, is located around 450 yards from the eastern entrance. The surface structure is intact, standing in a field to the south of Pepper Street.

The west portal is identical in design to its sibling. Both reveal there to be surprisingly little ground cover towards the tunnel's ends.

 

[Wevsky]

Re: Silverdale Tunnel, Newcastle Under Lyme Dec 2014

Nice to see it's so secure

 

[Ojay]

Re: Silverdale Tunnel, Newcastle Under Lyme Dec 2014

access looks tricky, did you resort to pulling the fence down

 

[paulpowers]

Re: Silverdale Tunnel, Newcastle Under Lyme Dec 2014

access looks tricky, did you resort to pulling the fence down

Access has to be made by someone

 

[Ojay]

Re: Silverdale Tunnel, Newcastle Under Lyme Dec 2014

Access has to be made by someone

leave only pallisade

 

[The Lone Ranger]

Re: Silverdale Tunnel, Newcastle Under Lyme Dec 2014

And here's me thinking you shouldn't be posting sensitive photos showing access to such a secure location

Looks a great Sunday stroll

 

[paulpowers]

Re: Silverdale Tunnel, Newcastle Under Lyme Dec 2014

If there were fire extinguishers near by I would have made it look all misty

 

[Wevsky]

Re: Silverdale Tunnel, Newcastle Under Lyme Dec 2014

If there were fire extinguishers near by I would have made it look all misty

 

[Ojay]

Re: Silverdale Tunnel, Newcastle Under Lyme Dec 2014

Someone say fire extinguisher

My bad, wrong thread

 

[Lenston]

Re: Silverdale Tunnel, Newcastle Under Lyme Dec 2014

Nice Paul

 

[Oxygen Thief]

Re: Silverdale Tunnel, Newcastle Under Lyme Dec 2014

Nice tunnel that it, did it serve the collieries in the area?

 

[paulpowers]

Re: Silverdale Tunnel, Newcastle Under Lyme Dec 2014

There's a colliery next to it, there are signs all over it warning of an underground fire

 

[Stopford_lad]

Re: Silverdale Tunnel, Newcastle Under Lyme Dec 2014

Nice little hole I'm round here on Monday, might take a lunchtime wander

 

[pigdog]

cant beat a tunnel

 

[Ojay]

cant beat a tunnel

I prefer the ones filled with