Cauldon Tramway Tunnel, Staffordshire

[cjd78]

Between 1778 and 1847, no less than 4 tramways were built (each succeeding the other) between Cauldon Limestone Quarries and the Terminus of the Cauldon Canal in Staffordshire. The tramways carried limestone to the canal from the quarries and probably coal in return.
The fourth tramway (as expected) was the most heavily engineered and to maintain a steady incline, passed through a 500m long tunnel near to Cauldon Lowe.
Unsure on whether the tunnel was blocked or even the entrance accessible, we ventured down and took a few shots.
The tunnel was indeed still 'open' and we walked through most of the way only to find that although we can see the other end, it is extremely silted up with iron clad water and mud - throwing a brick in and poking the odd stick revealed it is probably about 2ft deep so waders and a rope really to get through all the way.
The fourth and final tramway (by this time steam powered) was last used in 1920 - succumbed to competition from a direct rail link to what is now Lafarge cement works, Cauldon.
There is plenty of evidence of the tramways to this day (Mainly the latter attempts - 3 & 4) although on this occasion as it is my first post, I have just put piccies in of the tunnel section (please bare with me while i get the posting worked out!)...

Bit of a battle to get to - 90 years of nature!...
http://www.dale-electrical.co.uk/inv/IMG7204.JPG

http://www.dale-electrical.co.uk/inv/IMG7183.JPG


Apart from two well routed drains either side, the EASTERN END is very easy and dry waking...
http://www.dale-electrical.co.uk/inv/IMG7184.JPG

http://www.dale-electrical.co.uk/inv/IMG7191.JPG

http://www.dale-electrical.co.uk/inv/IMG7190.JPG


My Creative attempt!....
http://www.dale-electrical.co.uk/inv/IMG7198.JPG

http://www.dale-electrical.co.uk/inv/IMG7189.JPG

http://www.dale-electrical.co.uk/inv/IMG7194.JPG


Bit of pointing may help...
http://www.dale-electrical.co.uk/inv/IMG7201.JPG


WESTERN END - Open but Silted up - too dangerous to enter sadly...
http://www.dale-electrical.co.uk/inv/IMG7236.JPG

http://www.dale-electrical.co.uk/inv/IMG7251.JPG


Nasty Stuff...
http://www.dale-electrical.co.uk/inv/IMG7253.JPG


Random Secret Room....??
http://www.dale-electrical.co.uk/inv/IMG7244.JPG

[archcarrier]

A brave attempt! Just been there myself, and got about 150 yds in from the eastern end to find it was too risky to go on, or wouldve taken all day negotiating the deep mud : (
Did you see the tunnel goes narrow in the middle? It looks as if it's become distorted or was it built that way? Wanted to in investigate further but... maybe another day. Somehow!

[cjd78]

Hi Archcarrier,

Yeah we went in about that far - acording to a very helpful local farmer, it was passable / is passable at very dry times of the year - we got a bit muddy. There appears to be some kind of timber frame or similar about 1/2 way down where the shape of the arch changes - didn't go far enough to see whether it was a deformation due to weight above but if you look from the western end - the arch is a different shape from 10m in .....

PS - sorry to forum - realised i forgot to put the 'Green arrow' on the post to identify it as a report - will remember next time!

[Oxygen Thief]

Nice find ! Get some waders on and get in there !

[Sparky74]

Hi cjd78, interesting stuff. This is not that far from me and i have intended to visit it on a few occasions to see if access was still available all the way, and from your pictures it's better than expected. now i must go, may leave it a few weeks to see if i can get it a bit drier? if i can get through i'll add some pictures. thanks for what you've put up.

[tarboat]

A few shots from a visit I made last year. It was too wet to get out at the west end at that time too!

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff310/tarboat/caldon%20tramway%20tunnel/CaldonTramwayTunnel10-5-0901.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff310/tarboat/caldon%20tramway%20tunnel/CaldonTramwayTunnel10-5-0904.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff310/tarboat/caldon%20tramway%20tunnel/CaldonTramwayTunnel10-5-0907.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff310/tarboat/caldon%20tramway%20tunnel/CaldonTramwayTunnel10-5-0908.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff310/tarboat/caldon%20tramway%20tunnel/CaldonTramwayTunnel10-5-0909.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff310/tarboat/caldon%20tramway%20tunnel/CaldonTramwayTunnel10-5-0923.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff310/tarboat/caldon%20tramway%20tunnel/CaldonTramwayTunnel10-5-0931.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff310/tarboat/caldon%20tramway%20tunnel/CaldonTramwayTunnel10-5-0932.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff310/tarboat/caldon%20tramway%20tunnel/CaldonTramwayTunnel10-5-0916.jpg

[Sparky74]

Nice Pictures, Thanks:thumb

[cardiffrail]

Lovely photos. I remember trying to get to the eastern end a couple off years back but bogginess and vegetation put paid to that one. I guess it was a wellies and secateurs job. Also, the change of profile in the middle seems quite unusual, given that both portals are similar in shape.

[Gone]

Great pictures :thumb

[Appo]

Crackin Waders ae in need ... lidl on monday 15.99 waders chest :thumb