Report - Thackley Tunnel, Bradford 2022.

[Tunnel Gricer]

Thackley Old Tunnel - 1496yds​

Construction completed in May 1846 for the Leeds & Bradford Railway which in 1853 was absorbed into the Midland Railway, the first passenger train was in June 1846 although complaints soon came due to the amount of water ingress which occurred inside the tunnel. The tunnel was driven by 7 shafts of which 5 remain as ventilation shafts today the deepest being 252ft, there is a slight curve at the western end. In 1900 traffic volumes were high which resulted in a second tunnel built alongside the northern side of the original bore. Unfortunately during construction several navvies lost there life’s amongst those were William Hervey (39) who’s foot got entangled in the winding gear at one of the shafts in May 1845, and unnamed person was killed when he fell down a shaft in June 1845, James Horatio Bishop (19) was buried by an earth fall at No.4 shaft in September 1845 and John Stephney was crushed when a large stone fell on him in January 1846. After an active lifespan of 122 years in 1968 Thackley (Old) Tunnel was deemed surplus to the railways needs so in 1968 closure came it coincided with the closure of the Great Northerns Branch from Shipley to Laisterdyke via Idle & Thackley. During in 1970s British Rail decided that distortion was so great in the disused tunnel that a 70/80yd concrete plug was installed unfortunately this means the tunnel effectively became two half’s and also maintenance workers could no longer use the tunnel as an access route. Today the tunnel stands dormant secured by heavy steel gate and supposedly CCTV. Whilst inside the tunnel you can hear the rumble of passing train in the newer bore which is part of the Leeds - Skipton / Carlisle line (Airedale Line). Quite an adventure this one if you want to visit both sections of the disused tunnel lots of walking much to the dismay of my friends... I enjoyed it, it was done over 2 visits as first time the mist/fog was so dense photography became impossible thankfully the second visit it was much more photogenic, Nice to see the shafts open although not ease to photograph while due to falling water, plenty of refuges and one adorned with a nice mileage marker. Some decent colors inside in general the tunnel looks in good condition.

Information sourced for ForgottenRelics , Derelict Places & Wikipedia.​

Visited June / July 2022.

Thanks for looking.

 

[Wally_urbex]

Very nice that is.

 

[Tunnel Gricer]

Very nice that is.

Thanks Wally_urbex appreciate the comment, Was a nice one to get off the list.

 

[Lavino]

Nicely lit there pal nice shots.

 

[Tunnel Gricer]

Nicely lit there pal nice shots.

Thanks Lavino, Old railway tunnels can be very repetitive so just have to do what you can do. Cheers for the comment.

 

[dave]

Great report as usual. Always a challenge to get the lighting just right which you seem to do so well.

 

[Calamity Jane]

Nice work TK. I like the change in brickwork at the ends. Nicely lite as per

 

[Parysperspective]

Nice! How many yards is it?

 

[Tunnel Gricer]

Nice! How many yards is it?

1,496yards

 

[Tunnel Gricer]

Great report as usual. Always a challenge to get the lighting just right which you seem to do so well.

Thanks Dave, appreciate the comment, It’s a long process photographing tunnels takes a lot of patience and persistence I normally do ok, well I think so alot of my recent explores have been solo due to work commitments and such like can take the edge of the experience somewhat.

 

[Tunnel Gricer]

Nice work TK. I like the change in brickwork at the ends. Nicely lite as per

Thanks CJ I have been busy exploring tunnels just never had time to sit down and get some uploaded plus the site went through a server upgrade so haven’t put anything on here since March, so have some interesting ones to get through now some I don’t think have been seen on here before. Appreciate the comment as always.