1. The History
The Cadeby tunnel is one of the main features on the spur that runs from Wrangbrook Junction on the Hull to Barnsley line 12 miles to Denaby Main Colliery. The idea was first hatched in 1890 when the Denaby and Cadeby Colliery Company agreed to send a minimum of 310,000 tons of coal per year over the line to Hull for a period no less than least 21 years. Funded by the sale of 21,000 shares costing £10 each the agreement between the colliery company and contractor Joseph Firbank. His engineer Joseph Kincaid oversaw the construction of numerous earthworks and most significantly, Cadeby Tunnel. The single-track tunnel was 163 yards long and involved a curve to the north of approximately 25 chains in radius. The two portals were built in stone with triangular wing walls while the tunnel itself had near-vertical stone sidewalls to a height of approxmiately 7 feet and a brick arch. The tunnel also included refuges at regular intervals, alternating between sidewalls, although it is unclear if these were part of the tunnel’s original construction or were inserted at a later date.
In February 1894 saw a legal case between rail worker Trenchard and the contractors Firbank. He had been marshalling wagons at Cadeby Tunnel when an engine was moved without causing some the wagons to rebound resulting in Trenchard losing a leg. He was eventually awarded £50 for his personal injuries under common law. Goods traffic commenced in September 1894 and then in December later in the year passenger services started between Pickburn & Brodsworth, Sprotborough and Denaby & Conisbrough. These proved unsuccessful and the service was withdrawn just nine years later in 1903. In 1908, a junction was established with the Doncaster-Sheffield line which creating a through route.
Picture of the tunnel during its operation © John Law
Cadeby Old pic by HughieDW, on Flickr
The majority of the line was closed in August 1967, although a southern spur was retained to serve sidings at Middleton limestone quarry near Sprotborough. However, when this closed in 1975, the tunnel’s useful life came to an end. Since closure the tunnel’s western approach has been backfilled since closure, although the entrance remains open.
2. The Explore
Not too much to say here. Rocked up early one Sunday morning, walked down the footpath and turned right into the cutting and I was in. So, a relaxed little mooch, the silence only disturbed by the odd dog walker at the western end of the tunnel. It’s a cute little tunnel and pretty clean and it’s quite impressive how it is hidden away, and it looms out of nowhere. It is in good condition as mentioned earlier but just inside the western entrance the floor is a bit of a mud-fest.
3. The Pictures
The western portal:
img9875 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9850 by HughieDW, on Flickr
The marshy bit just inside the western portal:
img9873 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9871 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Walking towards the eastern portal, looking back west:
img9867 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9864 by HughieDW, on Flickr
One of several refuges:
img9863 by HughieDW, on Flickr
…and another:
img9860 by HughieDW, on Flickr
The eastern end:
img9861 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9859 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9851 by HughieDW, on Flickr
The eastern portal:
img9855 by HughieDW, on Flickr
The Cadeby tunnel is one of the main features on the spur that runs from Wrangbrook Junction on the Hull to Barnsley line 12 miles to Denaby Main Colliery. The idea was first hatched in 1890 when the Denaby and Cadeby Colliery Company agreed to send a minimum of 310,000 tons of coal per year over the line to Hull for a period no less than least 21 years. Funded by the sale of 21,000 shares costing £10 each the agreement between the colliery company and contractor Joseph Firbank. His engineer Joseph Kincaid oversaw the construction of numerous earthworks and most significantly, Cadeby Tunnel. The single-track tunnel was 163 yards long and involved a curve to the north of approximately 25 chains in radius. The two portals were built in stone with triangular wing walls while the tunnel itself had near-vertical stone sidewalls to a height of approxmiately 7 feet and a brick arch. The tunnel also included refuges at regular intervals, alternating between sidewalls, although it is unclear if these were part of the tunnel’s original construction or were inserted at a later date.
In February 1894 saw a legal case between rail worker Trenchard and the contractors Firbank. He had been marshalling wagons at Cadeby Tunnel when an engine was moved without causing some the wagons to rebound resulting in Trenchard losing a leg. He was eventually awarded £50 for his personal injuries under common law. Goods traffic commenced in September 1894 and then in December later in the year passenger services started between Pickburn & Brodsworth, Sprotborough and Denaby & Conisbrough. These proved unsuccessful and the service was withdrawn just nine years later in 1903. In 1908, a junction was established with the Doncaster-Sheffield line which creating a through route.
Picture of the tunnel during its operation © John Law
The majority of the line was closed in August 1967, although a southern spur was retained to serve sidings at Middleton limestone quarry near Sprotborough. However, when this closed in 1975, the tunnel’s useful life came to an end. Since closure the tunnel’s western approach has been backfilled since closure, although the entrance remains open.
2. The Explore
Not too much to say here. Rocked up early one Sunday morning, walked down the footpath and turned right into the cutting and I was in. So, a relaxed little mooch, the silence only disturbed by the odd dog walker at the western end of the tunnel. It’s a cute little tunnel and pretty clean and it’s quite impressive how it is hidden away, and it looms out of nowhere. It is in good condition as mentioned earlier but just inside the western entrance the floor is a bit of a mud-fest.
3. The Pictures
The western portal:
The marshy bit just inside the western portal:
Walking towards the eastern portal, looking back west:
One of several refuges:
…and another:
The eastern end:
The eastern portal:
