Bit of a mini tunnel this at 302 yards long, just a short walk from the Diggle end of the Stanage tunnels.

The tunnel & route closed 1966 & was originally opened by the LNWR circa 1886 and then later called the "Micklehurst loop" bypass route, mostly for the trans-pennine freight traffic to relieve the heavy congestion on the route at the time (The congestion has today now migrated to the M62 motorway & Woodhead pass, give it a go in rush-hour, you'll see what i mean! )

Resultant loss of traffic in the 60's meant that this bypass railway route closed, but it could be reopened at some point - government bodies are making noises about the route reopening (Noises being all they make, nothing gets done as per usual! )

Pics:

Obligatory dead animal shot:


Onwards!, soldiers:


Signaling/Cable hooks:


The decrepit looking remaining portal (the other end is buried):


Midway looking in:


Midway looking back:


The infilled other end:


Looking back down:


Vid on Ytube here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFxMwv7Z-fw

More at Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1247043...7623455506654/


Thanks for looking!