HnD::List all messages of thread: Gildersome Tunnel

Forum: Underground streets, tunnels, culverts

Thread: Gildersome Tunnel

Loiner (User) Posted on: 09-May-2007 15:36:43.

Hello all. Been reading for a while and decided to post at last!

Anyway, have caught the bug and done some exploring lately. Last week went for a walk up Rooms Lane to try and look for where the old Gildersome station was. About 100 yards up from Gelderd Road crossed over what seemed to be a bridge where I presume the railway previously ran under (although underneath seemed somewhat filled). Sort of lost where the railway should go from there and it looked pretty impossible to get down onto where I though the track should be and up to the eastern entrance to the tunnel.

Also, had a trek up to the other end of the tunnel (I think). Parked in the Showcase car park and climbed over the fence and down the embankment at the back. Saw what looked like some sort of markers which I presume were where the track bed was. Couldn't for the life of me find the tunnel entrance though. Did come across some sort of water works but no sign of the tunnel and didn't want to venture too far towards the motorway as the night was closing in!

Any advice on where to find the tunnel entrances etc much appreciated. Cheers all....

rikj (User) Posted on: 09-May-2007 20:46:02.

Hi Loiner

As far as we know the western portal is destroyed and in-filled. The tunnel is certainly filled in where it goes under the motorway.

The eastern portal is the way you were heading, might be a bit difficult at this time of year. I got to it from the Asquith Avenue side. I have to add that I think the tunnel is on private land. I know that someone has asked the farmer for permission to visit and it has not been forthcoming. The tunnel entrance is quite deeply flooded and looks like it might be like that all year round.

If you like disused railway tunnels then there are some more pics here

Basher (User) Posted on: 14-May-2007 23:02:45.

I have doubts about the privacy of the land. I been there several times, most as recenlty as this week. On the visit this week I walked straight past 2 dog walkers.

And there appears to have been some human activity around the portal, guessing from the additional junk i noticed in the water.

The land around the portal is far too easy to access for it to be private.

Basher's got this one cracked!! I'm off down that tunnel.

Phill_d (User) Posted on: 15-May-2007 16:47:36.

Has that water subsided any yet Bash?

Basher (User) Posted on: 15-May-2007 20:53:29.

Unfortunately not Phil, think it was slightly deeper than my last visit earlier in the year. Either that or the flooding has stabilised a bit.

I'm checking it out again in the near future, going to test how deep that water is.

Loiner (User) Posted on: 01-Jun-2007 16:06:36.

Bit bored at work today so was having a scout around for information about this tunnel (I think I'm becoming obsessed :-)!!).

Anyway, found quite an interesting looking picture of the tunnel from road level. Apparently this is at Gildersome crossroads (although I can't work out exactly where it might be) when they were preparing to build the M621. Am guessing Gildersome crossroads could be near to where the big roundabout of the A650 is now.

rikj (User) Posted on: 01-Jun-2007 21:37:03.

Wow, cheers for posting that Loiner. This pic from Leodis shows the same crossroads from the air.

I think in the pic you've posted the Gildersome tunnel is a bit behind the photographer and about 90ft down! It looks as if what's pictured is a cutting leading up to a short tunnel going underneath the A62/A650 junction. This railway is the LNWR that ran between Morley and Gildersome. In fact it ran overland above the Gildersome tunnel. The direction we are looking in here in approx NW.

(Picture from Leodis)

The pic you posted is interesting as nearly all the old trackbed in that area has disappeared because of the size and scale of the motorway junction. I never knew that it went under the roads at this point. I wonder if it's still there under the roundabout! Must go and have a look.

Thanks for posting the pic up.

edgey2001 (User) Posted on: 02-Jun-2007 11:06:09.

The picture at Gildersome is about where the start of the Driglington by-pass is now. This is the western portal and was filled in when they were building the M62, it was only a short tunnel as can be seen in aerial photo, at the other side was where Gildersome Station was, the retaining wall is still there to this day, as is the exit ramp which went down to the station, you can see this on the left hand side as your drive towards Gildersome roundabout from Gelderd Road.

jf (User) Posted on: 02-Jun-2007 19:34:11.

This is a 'modern' view from more or less the same elevation on Google Earth - it's surprising how many buildings are unchanged.

It almost looks like the portal is still there from the shadow on Google Earth - has it definitely gone?

jf (User) Posted on: 02-Jun-2007 19:38:38.

sorry, the attachment timed out! Here it is:

edgey2001 (User) Posted on: 02-Jun-2007 19:41:35.

The portal has definatley gone, just a grass slope where the entrance used to be, still worth going to have alook though .

jf (User) Posted on: 02-Jun-2007 19:53:41.

I was hoping there was something in the bushes that can be seen where it was on Google Earth! It looks like the cutting has been backfilled though - which is presumably what's taking place in the Leodis picture. I reckon if you took a spade or better still a JCB you might find something at depth. :-)

This looks to have been a 'long bridge' rather than a tunnel as most people think of these things (is there a true definition for a tunnel anywhere?). 'Cut and Cover' is I think the correct term for this type.

If you follow the line northwards it looks like there is still a tunnel remaining under Bradford Road at Birkenshaw/East Bierley - I think this might be documented on http://www.lostrailwayswestyorkshire.co.uk/ but that site isn't working at present.

edgey2001 (User) Posted on: 02-Jun-2007 20:01:02.

It may well have been a cut and cover tunnel possibly due to the fact that it was positioned at the junction of about 5 different roads and this would have been the easier option . Hers a pic I have looking in the eastern direction:-

Phill_d (User) Posted on: 02-Jun-2007 21:10:12.

I have some pics of the state it's in from 2week ago here http://flickr.com/photos/phill_dvsn/collections/72157600204027395/ I'll upload some here when i get some time... It's in a real mess!!

edgey2001 (User) Posted on: 02-Jun-2007 21:26:20.

I think your referring to Gildersome tunnel on the Leeds Huddersfield Line Phil , the pic I posted is from the Laisterdyke to Ardsley Line.

Phill_d (User) Posted on: 02-Jun-2007 21:29:27.

Sorry Edgey.. I've been busy uploading my days stuff to flickr. Rushing as usual & not paying attention.. Apologies :-)

Loiner (User) Posted on: 04-Jun-2007 11:16:02.

Ah, so my picture was of the line that ran from Morley top to Bradford?! I always wondered where this line went after Morley. I knew it ran up Chartists Way but then I was always lost after that. Like JF says, there looks to be some sort of portal still there on Google earth. Might have a wander up there.

I was down the back of Showcase cinemas yesterday. Found the old track bed but the western portal of Gildersome tunnel is definitely filled. And the eastern portal is still well flooded up to the entrance.

edgey2001 (User) Posted on: 04-Jun-2007 14:31:19.

Yes thats right, that was the GNR Line from Bradford to Ardsley, if you look on Google Earth or Flashearth.com as I prefer, you can see part of the old line near Tingley Roundabout, the formation is behind where Carcraft is now, although Carcraft wasnt built on this version of Google Maps.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ie=UTF8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&q=&t=h&om=1&ll=53.734624,-1.576495&spn=0.010916,0.028925&z=15

Phill_d (User) Posted on: 13-Nov-2007 10:34:01.

I've done a pretty detailed map of the West portal with tunnel route, air shafts, before & after comparison shots of the West Portal at the bottom of this page if anyone wants a look. Regular Smiley

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=265602590&blogID=326762127

SarahOvMorley (User) Posted on: 11-Mar-2008 18:55:48.

Hey i know how to get to this tunnel.
If you follow Asquith Avenue up towards gildersome from Morley bottoms, When you get near the top over the motoway bridge there are woods on either side of the road. If you enter the woods on the right side, and walk next to and follow the stream you will come accross this tunnel. This is blocked off and i will post a picture within the next few days. I live round and very close to this area so any questions just ask Regular Smiley

Thanks

Phill_d (User) Posted on: 11-Mar-2008 19:45:27.

SarahOvMorley wrote:

Thanks

Hi Sarah. Check this out for THE VORTEX and THE HELL HOLE pictures of the tunnel you never knew existed.
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=265602590&blogID=326762127
There's even a video from down there.

Trojan (User) Posted on: 11-Mar-2008 21:51:54.

SarahOvMorley wrote:

Thanks

You can get to the other end of the tunnel by following Rooms Lane. I don't remember this line being operational.

Phill_d (User) Posted on: 11-Mar-2008 22:33:47.

Trojan wrote:

SarahOvMorley wrote:

Thanks

You can get to the other end of the tunnel by following Rooms Lane. I don't remember this line being operational.

You might need a machete to clear the undergrowth that way these days. It's very very overgrown. You might expect to see David Bellamy jump out of the bushes Regular Smiley

jonleeds (User) Posted on: 17-Mar-2008 18:13:43.

Hi

I found the pictures which are posted above when looking through the Morley Community Archive website, see this link for more details:

http://www.commanet.org/reflect.aspx?action=navigate&rec=5009999900111374&dir=N&language=English&arcid=5029999900000045

http://www.morleyarchives.ik.com/p_collectionindex.ikml

The pictures are shown with a brief description of what the photo is of. Its quite interesting to see the tunnel being exposed prior to the M621 / M62 construction work.

SarahOvMorley (User) Posted on: 24-Mar-2008 19:04:59.

Oh wow! Thanks for all this!
omg!! When u reached the end of the tunnel
it was graffitied ..
M.TIGHE then malc
Well that is my uncle malc
i am sarah tighe omg that is weird.
thanks

Hi Sarah. Check this out for THE VORTEX and THE HELL HOLE pictures of the tunnel you never knew existed.
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=265602590&blogID=326762127
There's even a video from down there.

LS1 (User) Posted on: 24-Mar-2008 20:32:37.

Sarah, are you by any chance related to Frank Tighe, Lord Mayor of Morley?

nikeluk (User) Posted on: 15-Apr-2008 23:22:47.

While browsing for images of Gildersome junction I stumbled upon this thread. I was looking for old images of both Gildersome station and the junction between the A650 and A62. I work for the contractor carrying out junction improvement works at the M62 J27 Gildersome roundabouts and as part of the scheme the situation of the existing redundant tunnel is to be investigated. The works are currently on hold pending a solution to treat the tunnel such that the new roads are safe from future collapse.

I can confirm that the tunnel is still there and runs east west across the northern part of the roundabout. Work was carried out on the structure during the construction of the M62 to enable the west section of the roundabout to be built. This part of the roundabout is lower than the tunnel roof so the tunnel was demolished from the western portal to a point that now lies ~10m from the western edge of the roundabout. The tunnel has stone abutment walls and a composite structure of steel "I" beams (approx 600mm c/c) with a reinforced concrete slab on top to form the flat roof. During the investigation works a section of the roof was removed to reveal that the tunnel has been filled in with excavated material which must have been pushed in from each end. The fill material has settled over the years to leave a void of approx 300mm below the tunnel roof. Our investigations are still ongoing but the extent of the intact structure appears to extend across the roundabout and under the A62 carriageway towards the location of the eastern portal. The wing wall of the eastern portal can still be seen in the car park of the industrial units to the north east of the roundabout and exploritory holes will be dug to ascertain the existance of the tunnel in this location. It is likely that the remaining void will be grouted up and the tunnel will remain buried beneath the new carriageway. Works are scheduled to be complete by November '08

Phill_d (User) Posted on: 15-Apr-2008 23:27:06.

wiggy (User) Posted on: 16-Apr-2008 01:27:03.

Loiner wrote:

not even gonna read anymore of this thread,,,,see philld!!!!!....plus get a sledge hammer....bricks go eeaaasy....breeze blocks is harder...

nikeluk (User) Posted on: 16-Apr-2008 19:51:18.

Some pics I have found....

Latest news is the roof may be coming off......... sorry.

nikeluk (User) Posted on: 16-Apr-2008 19:55:24.

....

nikeluk (User) Posted on: 16-Apr-2008 19:56:12.

...

Phill_d (User) Posted on: 16-Apr-2008 20:51:49.

Thanks for posting this info. There is always a bit of confusion about the Gildersome tunnel as there is (was) 2. Both had been strengthened or in filled due to new road works. So this one you mention is the G.N.R tunnel Ardsley-Laisterdyke section here
http://www.lostrailwayswestyorkshire.co.uk/Ardsley%20Laisterdyke.htm

Trojan (User) Posted on: 16-Apr-2008 20:52:45.

We seem to be at cross purposes here. There was the line that branched off the LNWR at Farnley Junction that went through a tunnel at St Bernards, and there was the LNER line from Wakefield to Bradford which went under Gildersome crossroads - the Drigh bypass runs roughly along the route of the LNER line and there is a pub called "The Railway" next to it.

Trojan (User) Posted on: 16-Apr-2008 21:08:55.

The picture is taken as though coming from Birstall towards Leeds. The large building on the left next to the crossroads, is The Spread Eagle - a large popular "road house" on the other side of the crossroads on the left is the Kings Arms, a run of the mill boozer, with a chippy in the car park - they were both Hammonds houses. After that the houses on the left at an angle is Street Lane, the factory further down Gelderd Road is H Leverton Cat dealers - I used to work here. On the opposite side the long white building is Hudsons Foundry - where they made trucks for the pits among other things - running parallel is the railway and then it disappears under the cross roads.

spongebob (User) Posted on: 17-Apr-2008 00:41:53.

Seeing as we've moved tunnels so to speak it's reminded me when I was at Morley High school (possibly second or third year) we did a project to find a route for the Drigh bypass in geography. There were 3 possibilities, one along the old track bed, one that would've meant demolishing a school and one I can't remember, needless to say the school route was popular among the Drigh residents of the class but the sensible route was the one along the track bed, I don't know if the work we did was based on the actual proposals but looking back I suppose it mustive been. It's surprising when using the overlaid map on top of google earth just how precisely it follows the track bed until you get to Whitehall road, never noticed that before.
I also did a stint of work experience when I was at college at the then A1 transport which occupied the site of the foundry Trojan refers to above (don't know if it's the same building or just happens to be on the same site)

Am I right in thinking part of the plans for Gildersome roundabout involve putting road across it as with Tingley?

Trojan (User) Posted on: 17-Apr-2008 08:06:10.

spongebob wrote:

I think Hudsons Foundry was further back from the A62.

I've been told that the plan is for Gildersome roundabout to be like Tingley. The queues never let up there - even at weekends - because of IKEA etc I suppose.

edgey2001 (User) Posted on: 17-Apr-2008 12:21:59.

This is another pic when they were constructing Gildersome roundabout in the 60's, you can see how the tunnel was constructed as per the comments from nikeluk, the view is looking east towards Gildersome station, if you were to stand there now, behind would be the entrance to Drighlington by-pass.

nikeluk (User) Posted on: 17-Apr-2008 19:41:03.

More pics showing the various stages of development...

nikeluk (User) Posted on: 17-Apr-2008 19:42:02.

...

nikeluk (User) Posted on: 17-Apr-2008 19:42:51.

...

nikeluk (User) Posted on: 17-Apr-2008 19:43:43.

...

raveydavey (User) Posted on: 17-Apr-2008 20:54:20.

The search for the ventilation shafts of the tunnel have been mentioned previously.

There is one right next to the M62 betwixt Tingley and Gildersome - is that on the Gildersome tunnel, or is it perhaps on the (still in use) Morley tunnel?

Trojan (User) Posted on: 17-Apr-2008 20:56:50.

raveydavey wrote:

It's Morley Tunnel. There's another behind the Stump Cross and another behind the telephone exchange in Morley. I used to have this mad idea that they could build a station under the one in central Morley, with lifts and an adjacent bus station and make the line really convenient. Pipe dream really.

ASA (User) Posted on: 18-May-2008 14:45:16.

Having had a look on maps.live.com for the remains of the air shafts, i've found these.
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=syr8r6gvxs0c&style=b&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=22100879&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1
The strange circular object under the gazebo.

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=syrhpsgvxzhh&style=b&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=22100879&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=syrtzjgvy9jk&style=b&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=22100819&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=sys6xqgvypm8&style=b&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=22100784&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1

Also looking at this image, could this be the western portal that can be seen in a darker shade of green?

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=syqr4fgvx9jj&style=b&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=22100623&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1

Phill_d (User) Posted on: 18-May-2008 15:29:29.

Yes that 'Gazebo' Is the very last shaft. The retaining wall is a few feet to the right of that. Just past the road. Nice detective work there Wink

Phill_d (User) Posted on: 18-May-2008 15:34:14.

Here's the retaining wall, air shaft visible.

Phill_d (User) Posted on: 18-May-2008 15:36:18.

Bottom of the shaft.

edgey2001 (User) Posted on: 18-May-2008 15:52:50.

One or two interesting views there, the first one has been mentioned before, its definately worth investigating although its in someones back garden, when the line was built, there weren't any houses here, just the air vent on its own. The last pic does indeed look like the ghost of the western portal, I'm sure Phil D will confirm this.

Phill_d (User) Posted on: 18-May-2008 15:58:39.

Yes it is definitely the Western Portal I would say Edgey. The shape & location of it are spot on I would say!

Phill_d (User) Posted on: 18-May-2008 16:01:24.

If you look at the bottom of the shaft Edgey you can see it has been 'capped' at the bottom too. What do you make of that? You can look up it, there is no daylight coming from up there. It isn't very deep at this point either. That would be why it was been in-filled and strengthened to carry the new road layout as the reports suggest.

edgey2001 (User) Posted on: 18-May-2008 16:16:44.

I wonder why they have put a gazebo ontop of it, if it had been fully capped it would have been covered over with soil, I'm sure theres a grate here which must mean its accessable, as to why that is, thats anyones guess. I may go pay a visit this week and have a look.

SarahOvMorley (User) Posted on: 16-Dec-2008 15:14:30.

yeah i am related to frank tighe he is my grandad x

LS1 (User) Posted on: 16-Dec-2008 17:14:30.

SarahOvMorley wrote:

yeah i am related to frank tighe he is my grandad x

Thats cool. I went to university with Frank, he was in the History & Politics course I did a few years ago. I really enjoyed listening to his tales great guy. He probably wont remember who I am but please say hello !!

Trojan (User) Posted on: 16-Dec-2008 22:16:28.

SarahOvMorley wrote:

yeah i am related to frank tighe he is my grandad x

Is that the same Frank Tighe who was on Morley council in the sixties?

SarahOvMorley (User) Posted on: 03-Jan-2009 16:31:06.

Yeah i will say hello! and yes i think so Trojan.

SarahOvMorley (User) Posted on: 03-Jan-2009 16:31:40.

Trojan

Posted on: 16-Dec-2008 22:16:28
SarahOvMorley wrote:
yeah i am related to frank tighe he is my grandad x

Is that the same Frank Tighe who was on Morley council in the sixties?

Yeah i will say hello! and yes i think so Trojan.

w41tzer (User) Posted on: 22-Dec-2009 02:29:00.

dont know if any of you are aware of this but on the site, forgotten relics of an enterprising age, there is quite a bit on gildersome tunnel, that myspace stuff on link was outstanding, bare with me if that was you on the site i mentioned above, also if you go into the car park of metals supermarket ( yes honest!) right next to leeds side of gildersome roundabout you will see the stone wall of the station and iron roof? support remains, they shut sat dinner, the firm till mon, this is the end of the cut and cover "tunnel" also pictured on this thread but not to be confused with the other major tunnel,