On this day in 1987, 37 years ago, the last scheduled train passed over Farnley Viaduct, the tight curvature rendering it unsuitable for the overhead electrification equipment being installed between King's Cross and Leeds.
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Tunnel construction
Tunnel construction
When you next visit a tunnel, think in four dimensions. Don’t just examine its fabric – wander back to a time before it existed.
In your mind’s eye, picture the scene as men descended on the hillside to set up their encampments: accommodation for humans, stables for horses, magazines for explosives. Over many months – maybe several years – they overcame all that nature could throw at them to drive a conduit for trains. Some wouldn’t see the project come to its fruition; those who did would reap meagre financial rewards. And the passengers it benefited would pass through in seconds without giving the darkness a second glance.
But these were awesome endeavours. How did 19th century engineers create them without the mechanical and technological advantages of the 21st century?
