The Benniworth Tunnel (also known as the High Street Tunnel) in the county of Lincolnshire was built in 1875 and eventually closed in 1958. It served the Louth and Lincoln Line and is located some 7.5 miles from Louth.
When High Street (aka South Willingham) Tunnel was planned, its length was 255 yards and there were no refuges. The latter was an oversight on the part of a designer which was later rectified with three refuges being cut. The length more than doubled to 557 yards.
The tunnel's construction was difficult and its opening delayed. A goods train first passed through it in September 1875 - three years after work had started. Passenger services began more than a year later when the full 21-mile line was completed.
Landslips were common around South Willingham. In 1939, a major one blocked several yards of line close to the tunnel's eastern entrance. Calamity was averted thanks to an eagle-eyed passer-by who rang the local signalbox to get trains stopped.
Armaments were transported along the line during the Second World War. One important bombing raid on Germany had to be cancelled because the engine bringing the armaments was too big to fit through the bore. It should have been changed at Lincoln.
Passengers services were withdrawn in 1951 but goods continued to be carried until 1st December 1958.
This was my first Tunnel explore having done 2 more since. Took some getting too but was worth it. Nice to see it's all open unlike the nearby Withcall Tunnel, however I've heard there is now access so may investigate that one again. In great condition to say it's sat dormant for over 60 years and nice to see some original features still remain.
Check it out
Nice To See The Distance Markers Still Survive
Light At The End Of The Tunnel
Thanks For Looking
When High Street (aka South Willingham) Tunnel was planned, its length was 255 yards and there were no refuges. The latter was an oversight on the part of a designer which was later rectified with three refuges being cut. The length more than doubled to 557 yards.
The tunnel's construction was difficult and its opening delayed. A goods train first passed through it in September 1875 - three years after work had started. Passenger services began more than a year later when the full 21-mile line was completed.
Landslips were common around South Willingham. In 1939, a major one blocked several yards of line close to the tunnel's eastern entrance. Calamity was averted thanks to an eagle-eyed passer-by who rang the local signalbox to get trains stopped.
Armaments were transported along the line during the Second World War. One important bombing raid on Germany had to be cancelled because the engine bringing the armaments was too big to fit through the bore. It should have been changed at Lincoln.
Passengers services were withdrawn in 1951 but goods continued to be carried until 1st December 1958.
This was my first Tunnel explore having done 2 more since. Took some getting too but was worth it. Nice to see it's all open unlike the nearby Withcall Tunnel, however I've heard there is now access so may investigate that one again. In great condition to say it's sat dormant for over 60 years and nice to see some original features still remain.
Check it out
Nice To See The Distance Markers Still Survive
Light At The End Of The Tunnel
Thanks For Looking
