real time web analytics
Report - - Goyden Pot Tunnel, Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire, March 2014 | Underground Sites | 28DaysLater.co.uk

Report - Goyden Pot Tunnel, Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire, March 2014

Hide this ad by donating or subscribing !

Bovine

28DL Full Member
28DL Full Member
Towards the end of the 19th Century, Bradford had expanded so much that further supplies of water were required. Having identified a suitable reservoir site high up in Nidderdale, the Corporation Water Works embarked on a grand scheme which included a gravity aquaduct all the way to the Chellow Heights Treatment Works in Bradford.
Angram Reservoir construction started in 1904 and a 3 foot gauge railway was built from the North Eastern Railway's station at Pateley Bridge to the work site, 6 miles up the Nidd Valley. In 1907 this was converted to standard gauge, enabling through working of wagons from the NER. With gradients as steep as 1 in 40, a fleet of powerful industrial tank engines was used with up to 4 on a train!
After the completion of Angram Reservoir in 1919, it was decided to build a second one lower down, called Scar House and work commenced in 1921. Problems working uphill trains round a tight curve at Goyden led to the decision to build a tunnel to ease the curve, the existing line then used by down trains only. The reservoir was completed in 1936, after which the line was lifted, the tunnel walled up (only 15 years old!) and the trackbed used as a private access road to the reservoirs.

IMG_9790Medium_zps62a6bdaa.jpg

The Southern Portal, this was unusually cast in concrete.

IMG_9767Medium_zpsbdc5f9ae.jpg

The Southern part of the tunnel consists of a concrete arch, sprung off the rock walls.

IMG_9769Medium_zpsaeef8205.jpg

The Northern section is a series of concrete arches, but with gaps between. (Note the tunnel snake asleep!)

IMG_9765Medium_zps9349e02d.jpg

From the North end, showing the rings.

IMG_9773Medium_zpscf2f97c7.jpg

The gaps between the rings were filled with wood, bits of rail, any old rubbish!

IMG_9778Medium_zpsfd68cc1a.jpg

Over the years, the wood has rotted, leading to collapses.

IMG_9784Medium_zpscdc61110.jpg

Like this!

IMG_9776Medium_zpsd863edf0.jpg

A fine display of Calcite.

IMG_9771Medium_zps98fd5d02.jpg

More Calcite on the floor, with a tunnel snake in the background! Rubbish seems to get everywhere!
 
Top