Disuessed Railway Tunnel

Date:

30 Mar 2010

Party:

Big Dave, Dave J, Finbar, & Roger

Photos:

Big Dave

In Brief:

This was the alternative trip to Afton for those of us who either weren’t too keen on caves or knew their days with the rift were over! Thanks Finbar for organizing such a genteel evening. The landowner was very welcoming and gave us a good introduction to the site of Yelverton Station and tunnel and afterwards showed us a most interesting photograph album of the station and tunnel in years gone by and today.

Continued:

Yelverton Tunnel was one of three on the line between Tavistock and Tavistock Junction where this branch line, built by the South Devon Railway in 1859, joined the main line at Marsh Mills, Plymouth. The other tunnels being Shaugh Bridge (still part of a footpath/cycleway) and Grenofen.   

The tunnel is perfectly straight and is 641 yards in length. It also marks the highest point on the line between Plymouth and Tavistock at 500 feet and is, at its deepest point, 100 feet below Yelverton. The tunnel closed officially to rail traffic when the last train passed through it on 29^th December 1962. The trip through the tunnel is entirely uneventful and it is easily graded. There is a lot of water pouring through the roof in places and plenty of evidence of ochre. There was also evidence of copper leaching through in places. The tunnel is still regularly inspected by Network Rail and evidence of markings from a recent inspection was clearly seen. 

Our thanks again to the landowner for the permission given to make this unusual and rare trip although we are hoping to go again when it stays light for longer which may enable us to get a better photographic record although Dave did manage to get a few good ones.

Write up by  Dave Jean

Added 30-03-10