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!