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The longest tunnel
Posted on: Monday April 1, 2019 at: 1:18 pm
Yorkshire sunshine
We recently travelled along the Huddersfield Narrow and Broad Canals, which take you up through Lancashire, and then down the Yorkshire side of the Moors. On the way down the Yorkshire side in particular, we saw some beautiful views, enhanced by the gorgeous Spring sunshine.
This trip involved a challenge – The Standedge tunnel. It is the longest tunnel on the system (about 3.5 miles), deepest (as it has the moors towering above it), the narrowest (only just room for Brandy Pad to squeeze through in places) and the lowest (I banged my head more then once). We hit the sides a few times – it is impossible not to – but only with the rubbing strips along the sides of the hull. Fortunately we did not hit the cabin sides, which would have been much more difficult to repair. The canal tunnel is actually one of four. There is a double rail tunnel on one side, still in use. An older rail tunnel on the other is now used as access for repair and safety.
There are strict safety rules involved in this passage. We had a chaperone from the Canal and River Trust, who was accompanied by three trainee chaperones. We had to wear hard hats, hi-vis vests and life jackets. Times of passage are specific, as there is no space for two boats to pass if you meet in the middle.
About 50 men lost their lives digging this tunnel and when you see the variations in height and width along the way, you have to feel for the original boat men and women who would have legged it through (on their backs, using their feet to “walk” against the sides or roof). We did it in just over 1 hour thirty-five minutes under power, which was pretty good going.
So, here is a short video to give you a feel for the rather claustrophobic journey. Enjoy:
Tunnel travels
Posted on: Saturday February 16, 2019 at: 6:16 pm
Yesterday, we came through the Tardebigge tunnel – 580 yards long. Most tunnels are lined with brick (and consequently leak and are rather wet), but the Tardebigge is a little different as much of it has just been hewn out of the rock. So, I thought you might like to see this little video (realtime for a change, not stop motion).
Today we went down the Tardebigge flight of locks – 30 in all and nearly every one of them against us (i.e. the locks were empty when we needed them to be full). So we were extremely grateful for the help of the passing Smith family, who joined us near the top and stuck with us all the way down helping to open and close gates and paddles. Three very helpful and energetic children. Thanks guys, you were stars and really made our life a lot easier.
The video is quite a big file and you might want to download it first to view – click the symbol to the top right of the picture:
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Tunnels
Posted on: Friday January 6, 2017 at: 1:28 pm
Timelapse video of a trip through the tunnel
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