History
Stockport Teviot Dale was opened on 1st December 1865 by Stockport, Timperley and Altrincham Junction Railway, although it was locally referred to as Tiviot Dale and the name was changed to reflect this in 1874. The station operated until January 1967 when it was permanently closed down. The line continued to operate for freight trains as part of the route from the Woodhead line to Liverpool; one of the main uses of the line was transporting coal from South Yorkshire to Fiddler’s Ferry Power Station near Warrington. In 1980 the tunnel, which lies to the west end of the station, was damaged during construction on the M63 (now the M60 ring road) and was temporarily closed due to safety concerns. After the closure of the Woodhead route between Hadfield and Penistone in 1981 the Tiviot line lost most of its traffic and was subsequently closed for good. The track was lifted and the tunnel filled in 1986. The section of the tunnel that runs beneath the church was reinforced with a girder structure to prevent collapse.
The Explore
As we had some time left over from our little wander through the tunnels at Dodge Hill and didn’t fancy leaving Subterranea just yet, we decided to have a little look and see if we could find this disused railway tunnel. Someone had very helpfully left a shopping trolley as a stepping stone for getting in and out of the tunnel, although it was quite a stoop to get any further. The rubble then drops away to reveal the slightly intimidating structure supporting the church, which turned out to be a great spot for a snack! Unfortunately we weren’t able to get into the other tunnel, but still a cool little bonus explore nonetheless.
Stockport Teviot Dale was opened on 1st December 1865 by Stockport, Timperley and Altrincham Junction Railway, although it was locally referred to as Tiviot Dale and the name was changed to reflect this in 1874. The station operated until January 1967 when it was permanently closed down. The line continued to operate for freight trains as part of the route from the Woodhead line to Liverpool; one of the main uses of the line was transporting coal from South Yorkshire to Fiddler’s Ferry Power Station near Warrington. In 1980 the tunnel, which lies to the west end of the station, was damaged during construction on the M63 (now the M60 ring road) and was temporarily closed due to safety concerns. After the closure of the Woodhead route between Hadfield and Penistone in 1981 the Tiviot line lost most of its traffic and was subsequently closed for good. The track was lifted and the tunnel filled in 1986. The section of the tunnel that runs beneath the church was reinforced with a girder structure to prevent collapse.
The Explore
As we had some time left over from our little wander through the tunnels at Dodge Hill and didn’t fancy leaving Subterranea just yet, we decided to have a little look and see if we could find this disused railway tunnel. Someone had very helpfully left a shopping trolley as a stepping stone for getting in and out of the tunnel, although it was quite a stoop to get any further. The rubble then drops away to reveal the slightly intimidating structure supporting the church, which turned out to be a great spot for a snack! Unfortunately we weren’t able to get into the other tunnel, but still a cool little bonus explore nonetheless.
