Difference between revisions of "Bewdley Tunnel"

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Bewdley tunnel ("Bridge" 6) is 480 yards long and is situated on the [[Acceptance Lever]] worked single line section between [[Kidderminster]] and [[Bewdley]].  
 
Bewdley tunnel ("Bridge" 6) is 480 yards long and is situated on the [[Acceptance Lever]] worked single line section between [[Kidderminster]] and [[Bewdley]].  
  
When originally built in 1876-77 as part of the [[Kidderminster Loop Line]], the tunnel was lined with red brick and was 19ft wide. Unfortunately the sandstone through which the tunnel passes deteriorates on contact with air, and within 10 years part of the arch had given way under the weight of sand. Over the next 20 years, further small sections of the tunnel were relined, but in 1908 the decision was taken for the tunnel to be fully relined with two rings of blue bricks set in cement. The work began on 12 June 1910 and was completed on 20 October 1910.<ref>[[Bibliography#Books|Marshall (1989)]] p. 92.</ref>  For safety, an occupation instrument was installed at the Bewdley end of the tunnel, linked to the [[Kidderminster Junction signal box | Kidderminster Junction]] and [[Bewdley South signal box | Bewdley South]] signal boxes.  After the last train of the day had cleared the section, withdrawal of the occupation key would prevent the release of the electric train staff at either end until work in the tunnel had been completed overnight and the occupation key replaced.<ref>SVR News 109, "Relaying of Bewdley Tunnel, 1910", John Marshall</ref>
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When originally built in 1876-77 as part of the [[Kidderminster Loop Line]], the tunnel was lined with red brick and was 19ft wide. In 1876 two [[Railway Navvies of the SVR|workmen]] were killed and two seriously injured during its construction.<ref>[https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000250/18760318/010/0002 Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 18 March 1876]</ref>
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Unfortunately the sandstone through which the tunnel passes deteriorates on contact with air, and within 10 years part of the arch had given way under the weight of sand. Over the next 20 years, further small sections of the tunnel were relined, but in 1908 the decision was taken for the tunnel to be fully relined with two rings of blue bricks set in cement. The work began on 12 June 1910 and was completed on 20 October 1910.<ref>[[Bibliography#Books|Marshall (1989)]] p. 92.</ref>  For safety, an occupation instrument was installed at the Bewdley end of the tunnel, linked to the [[Kidderminster Junction signal box | Kidderminster Junction]] and [[Bewdley South signal box | Bewdley South]] signal boxes.  After the last train of the day had cleared the section, withdrawal of the occupation key would prevent the release of the electric train staff at either end until work in the tunnel had been completed overnight and the occupation key replaced.<ref>SVR News 109, "Relaying of Bewdley Tunnel, 1910", John Marshall</ref>
  
 
<Gallery>
 
<Gallery>
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[[Stourport Road Bridge | Towards Kidderminster]]<br>
 
[[Stourport Road Bridge | Towards Kidderminster]]<br>
 
[[List of infrastructure]]<br>
 
[[List of infrastructure]]<br>
[[Devil's Spittleful (Rifle Range) Bridge | Towards Bridgnorth]]
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[[Devil's Spittleful (Rifle Range) Bridge | Towards Bridgnorth]]<br>
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[[Railway Navvies of the SVR]]
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Revision as of 12:30, 13 October 2019

Bewdley Tunnel western portal (the end nearest Bewdley), looking towards Kidderminster
Bewdley Tunnel eastern portal (the end nearest Kidderminster), seen from Stourport Road Bridge

Bewdley tunnel ("Bridge" 6) is 480 yards long and is situated on the Acceptance Lever worked single line section between Kidderminster and Bewdley.

When originally built in 1876-77 as part of the Kidderminster Loop Line, the tunnel was lined with red brick and was 19ft wide. In 1876 two workmen were killed and two seriously injured during its construction.[1]

Unfortunately the sandstone through which the tunnel passes deteriorates on contact with air, and within 10 years part of the arch had given way under the weight of sand. Over the next 20 years, further small sections of the tunnel were relined, but in 1908 the decision was taken for the tunnel to be fully relined with two rings of blue bricks set in cement. The work began on 12 June 1910 and was completed on 20 October 1910.[2] For safety, an occupation instrument was installed at the Bewdley end of the tunnel, linked to the Kidderminster Junction and Bewdley South signal boxes. After the last train of the day had cleared the section, withdrawal of the occupation key would prevent the release of the electric train staff at either end until work in the tunnel had been completed overnight and the occupation key replaced.[3]

The track through the tunnel was replaced as part of a major refurbishment during the winter of 2011-12. In order to simplify future maintenance the existing jointed track was replaced by continuously welded rail (CWRContinuous Welded Rail, where joints between lengths of rail are welded rather than connected by fishplates.), resulting in the absence of the traditional 'clickety-click' from the wheels as the train passes through the tunnel.

Both portals of the tunnel are included in the Wyre Forest District Council Local Heritage List, the eastern portal as item SVR014* and the western portal as item SVR014A.

See also

Towards Kidderminster
List of infrastructure
Towards Bridgnorth
Railway Navvies of the SVR

References

  1. Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 18 March 1876
  2. Marshall (1989) p. 92.
  3. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 109, "Relaying of Bewdley Tunnel, 1910", John Marshall

Links

Bewdley station web site