This is the 2nd part of my little feature in the reopening of tunnels, formerly used by the Somerset & Dorset Railway. A line that ran between Bath and Bournemouth, over the Mendip Hills. There was a branch line to Burnham on Sea.
These tunnels, sealed for many years after railway closure in 1966, are being opened, cleaned, resurfaced, lit and ready for use by cyclists and pedestrians.
Very tortuous tunnels indeed, with a steep gradient of 1.50 in many places, so the order of the day was double headers or banking engines employed to 'get up the hill'. Not very cost effective at all.
Slippage was common, so the crew, driver and fireman must have really suffered in those glorious days of steam motion.
No doubt they were glad to see the light at the end of the tunnel, fresh air, then light up a fag!
Combedown Tunnel is just over 1 mile in length and totally unventilated.
The southern portal, suitably decorated in graffiti.
Tunnel opened up once again in readiness for rework.
The good old days. We cannot see from this photograph if a 'banker' was used.
Going north towards Bath, Green Park (now Sainsbury's) now this is a very interesting photograph. Look at the smoke residue in the mouth of the tunnel. Either this locomotive is following close behind the previous train, as stated no ventilation is the tunnel, so that is possible. Or is this a 'banker' running tender first, most unlikely I think. If it was a 'banker', it would be barking its nuts off, emitting clouds of black smoke, sparks and anything else it can chuck out. (no Green Party in those days thank you!)
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