Stodhart Tunnel
| Stodhart Tunnel | |
| Derbyshire | |
|---|---|
 Stodhart Tunnel portal | |
| Location | |
| Carrying: | Peak Forest Tramway |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SK056816 |
| Location: | 53°19’55"N, 1°55’1"W |
| Structure | |
| Length: | 100 yards |
| History | |
| Built 1796 | |
| Information | |
Stodhart Tunnel is a 100-yard long tunnel on the route of the old Peak Forest Tramway at Chapel Milton in Derbyshire. The tunnel stretches under the Chapel-en-le-Firth to Glossop Road. Although one side has been blocked up, it remains one of the oldest rail-related tunnels in the world and was also the site of one of the earliest rail-related accidents, when a laden carriage rolled into two horses, killing them.
History
The tunnel was built in 1796 for the Peak Forest Tramway. Designed by Benjamin Outram, it was built out of gritstone with ashlar coping.[1] Originally considered as an open cutting, it was designed in the style of canal tunnels, so as to not disturb the owners of the nearby Stodhart Lodge.[2]
The tunnel ran for about 100 yards[3] under the road between Chapel-en-le-Frith and Glossop, as a single track route. It remained a single-track route when the rest of the tramway was doubled, becoming a bottleneck on the line.[4] The tunnel is also the site of one of the earliest railway accidents: six laden wagons broke free from their horses and rolled back into a following team, killing both horses and injuring an apprentice.
One side of the tunnel was filled in during road realignment in 1949, so it is only accessible from the other side. The tunnel was designated a grade II* listed building in 1985[1] and is on the Buildings at Risk Register.[5]
From the 1950s part of the tunnel and about half a mile of track was tar sealed and used to test Ferodo brakes. The tunnel was used to test the effect of humidity on brakes.[3]
Until May 2013, Stodhart was considered to be the earliest rail-related tunnel in the world, but is now believed to be pre-dated by Fritchley Tunnel on the Butterley Gangroad at Fritchley, also in Derbyshire.[6]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 National Heritage List 1334843: Stodhart Tunnel (Grade II* listing)
- ↑ Whitehead, Peter J (2003–2011). "Stodhart Tunnel, Chapel Milton, High Peak". The Industrial Heritage of Britain. http://www.pittdixon.go-plus.net/pft/stodhart-tunnel.htm. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Clowes, Peter (September 1963). The Peak Forest Limestone Tramway. 611–617.
- ↑ Nicholson, Christopher; Barnes, Peter (2020). Railways in the Peak District: A History (illustrated ed.). Amberley Publishing Limited. ISBN 9781445693859. https://books.google.com/books?id=qj3KDwAAQBAJ.
- ↑ Stodhart Tunnel – Register of Heritage at Risk (Historic England)
- ↑ "Archaeologists find 'world's oldest railway tunnel' in Derbyshire". BBC News. 1 May 2013. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-22342239. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
