Wapping tunnel Liverpool, December 2012.

[Black]

The Wapping tunnel is 2030 yds long,
running from Edge Hill (east) to Park Lane goods yard/Wapping Dock (west).
Theres 5 air shafts ( 3 Imposing brick towers, 2 demolished/capped).
The tunnel opened in 1829, closed on 15th May 1972.
The tunnel is on a 1 in 48 gradient,
a steam engine was installed to haul goods via rope from Park lane to Edge Hill.
The tunnel changes in a cutting, between Jamaica Street and Upper Frederick Street to 3 short tunnels.

Edge Hill cutting

Wapping tunnel on left

Smithdown Lane air shaft
(site of Crown Street goods yard)

Blackburne Place air shaft

Grenville Street south air shaft

one of two capped air shafts

Mersey Rail Northern route crosses tunnel at this point
the sound is awsome

water preventing access to last 100 yds

strange deposits

gong

3 short tunnels leading to Park Lane goods yard left/right are sealed (shut) with a brick wall
(from left to right)

the middle tunnel gives access to cutting/Wapping tunnel

cutting, spliting of tunnels.

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[Hendreforgan]

I think "imposing" is a bit understated for those air shafts . . . wonder how many living near them actually know what they were meant for. Great report on some really substantial history. Ace!

 

[night crawler]

That turned out better than I thought. Some serious tunnels there would loved to have seen them in use.

 

[TeeJF]

Hells teeth! That's quite an impressive tunnel. Shame the tops of the air shafts are so high as an absiel in would be awesome fun!

 

[wherever i may roam]

Good stuff mate,had a little nosey around here myself recently,tis interesting.......

 

[georgie]

tis very interesting this good work

 

[flyboys90]

The air shafts are amazing,great report.

 

[Black Shuck]

Wicked Black, absolutely wicked.!!! I adore railway porn this good, and tunnel are my favourite. I may have to dissappear to the toilet in a minute!!!

 

[MrDan]

I think "imposing" is a bit understated for those air shafts . . . wonder how many living near them actually know what they were meant for.

Sorry if a silly question, but what are they meant for :/

 

[Black]

Sorry if a silly question, but what are they meant for :/

vertical air shafts, ventilating the tunnel.

 

[Ramsgatonian]

Brilliant, I've only been to two railway tunnels, and really would like to see more.

You did a great job documenting the place.

 

[steve2109]

That's cracking that is, enjoyed reading and looking at that

 

[Bones out]

Not my thing railway tunnels but I really liked this report! Must be mental knowing your house is built on a tunnel.......

 

[Jagdpanther]

I think "imposing" is a bit understated for those air shafts . . . wonder how many living near them actually know what they were meant for. Great report on some really substantial history. Ace!

Many years ago I used to live on Falkner Street in Liverpool and my bedroom window looked out onto the Blackbourne Place air shaft. Never thought much about it although someone told me it was 'something to do with the railways'.
It was a good 20 years later that I got to look up that shaft from inside the tunnel!!

Incidentally there used to be 5 air shafts - another similar shaft was in front of the Anglican cathedral on the corner of Great George Street and Upper Duke Street but it was demolished about 10 years ago to make way for houses. Interestingly even inside the tunnel under that shaft you could smell the spices from the adjacent chinese supermarket!

Its a good 10 years since I was in the Wapping tunnel - then you could not access the old goods yard at the dock end as it was still a working builders yard.

But the scary thing about the Wapping is when you hear a train coming!!!! You start to hear it and then realise it really is a bloody train!! This is because the tunnel carrying the Merseyrail Liverpool Central to Hunts Cross underground line actually crosses the Wapping tunnel on girders!