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View Full Version : Abernant Tunnel- Merthyr Tydfil- Feb '12



-Walsh-
20-02-2012, 12:22 AM
Many thanks for cunningcorgi showing me around for a day of Welsh train tunnels!

History

In 1845, Isambard Kingdom Brunel surveyed and prepared parliamentary plans for the Vale of Neath Railway which involved a 2,497-yard hole through the hill between Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare, the second longest of Wales' tunnels. 650 feet below ground at its deepest point, it was built to accommodate broad gauge and formed part of the 6¼-mile Gelli Tarw Junction-Merthyr extension, opening on 2nd November 1853. It regularly takes two names - Merthyr, which is to its east, and Abernant.
The contractor (Mr Davis) sunk two construction shafts, 1,280 yards apart, from which he drove 7-foot headings. One of these shafts was 282 feet deep. A system of troughs and fans pumped air down to the face whilst a 1-inch diameter pipe forced water at high-pressure through ‘roses’ into the workings to clear the powder-smoke hanging in the air after blasting.
A third rail was added to the predominantly single track route in 1863, allowing GWR trains to reach Swansea. The broad gauge rail was removed and the line converted to standard gauge on 11th May 1872.
In the mid-1870s, the tunnel partly collapsed as a goods train passed through, almost burying the locomotive. Locals declared the structure to be dangerous, a claim unsurprisingly contradicted by the investigating officer. Subsidence caused by mining beneath the tunnel later resulted in part of the structure settling by 10 feet.
The S-shaped bore has masonry walls and a brick-lined roof. Close to its centre are two platelayers’ cabins. At the western end, for around 400 yards, the bore is wide enough for a double track layout; two small buildings mark the point where it suddenly becomes single.
The route was closed to traffic on 31st December 1962.

1 eastern portal

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7190/6905498057_531834dd92_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/walsh01/6905498057/)

2 The start of the tunnel

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7208/6905542729_ed9073d7c5_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/walsh01/6905542729/)

3 Workers Refuge

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7178/6905558093_d891b7197f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/walsh01/6905558093/)

4 Near the centre of the tunnel is what looks like a makeshift chapel

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7043/6905587365_c6a74ef1dd_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/walsh01/6905587365/)

5 Looking in

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7048/6905634903_dec0ed3366_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/walsh01/6905634903/)

6 Book of mormon


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/6905651955_b2161a35eb_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/walsh01/6905651955/)

7 In the darkness

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7057/6905692287_86c1e65c2f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/walsh01/6905692287/)

8 Near the western portal the tunnel opens up

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7197/6905740503_aee2281c67_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/walsh01/6905740503/)

9 Looking Back

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7188/6905799283_5af8b926da_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/walsh01/6905799283/)

10 Western Portal

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7036/6905821779_cf62d952bf_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/walsh01/6905821779/)

BB
20-02-2012, 06:07 AM
Bit odd the random cross. Cool stuff :thumb

Clough
20-02-2012, 08:31 AM
What's with the book of boring? Nice shots by the way!

lennymcgra
20-02-2012, 08:39 PM
Looks a cool place this, may take a wander myself :)

simonix
20-02-2012, 10:05 PM
Cool, very interesting

coops
21-02-2012, 10:04 AM
Love a good tunnel ..Thanks for this mate

myke
24-02-2012, 12:06 AM
nice tunnel by brunnel himself built to last and has shame there aint a use for it

-Walsh-
25-02-2012, 05:19 PM
nice tunnel by brunnel himself built to last and has shame there aint a use for it

There was talk of integrating it into the cycle path, the cost of lighting a mile and half tunnel is probably why it hasn't happened!