Disused tunnels database

Disused tunnels database

Research to expand our database of disused tunnels continues to pay dividends. Many thanks to those of you who have sent in contributions. If you can help with any details, omissions or corrections, please click the ‘contact us’ link in the sidebar to get in touch.

By clicking on the relevant column header, the database can be sorted by name, yardage, company or opening/closure dates. Hover over the abbreviated company name to see the full version. New tunnels are highlighted by a red tip; modified entries are in orange. More information or pictures – where available – is provided via the Link button.

Tunnels which were opened out either during or after the railway’s period of operation are excluded. Only those that still exist – even if now buried – are listed.


  • (g) length determined using historical maps and Google Earth’s measuring tool
  • ~ scaled length/approximate year
  • ? evidence uncertain
  • < earlier than/less than
  • > later than/more than

Click here to search the database by map. Each tunnel is marked at the midpoint of a straight line drawn between its portals (which can prove deceptive if the tunnel is curved). No buried tunnels are shown.

Most of the tunnels on the database can be viewed in GoogleEarth by opening a .kml file developed by Antony Badsey-Ellis. Download the ZIP to your hard disk by clicking here, then extract the .kml and open it using GoogleEarth.

Current total: 628

23
71
70
30
11
8
31
45
5
17
31
33
15
13
31
4
19
67
39
4
6
51
4
628

The Ms (33)

Tunnel Name(s)CompanyYardsTrksOpenClosedPortalLink
M18
M18Mot/BR80(g)~219661966
Maldon West
Maldon WestGE66118891959
Malmesbury
MalmesburyMalm105118771962
Manchester Docks Branch
Manchester Docks BranchLNW46(g)11895>1955
Manchester Road
Manchester RoadGN312218761972
Mansfield Road
Mansfield RoadGC1189218981968
Mansfield Road
Mansfield RoadMid121~119011955
Mapperley
MapperleyGN1132218761960
Marlborough (Savernake)
Marlborough (Savernake)M&SWJ647218981964
Marsh Lane Station
Marsh Lane StationMid50(g)218851968
Marteg (Gilfach/St Harmons)
Marteg (Gilfach/St Harmons)MidW372118641962
Mayfield
MayfieldLBSC91~218801965
Meal Bank
Meal BankMBQT24(g)118931910?
Merkland Street
Merkland StreetL&D153(g)218961978
Merley
MerleySn&Dr36(g)218471977
Merthyr (Abernant)
Merthyr (Abernant)VoN2497118531962
The westernmost 220 yards of Merthyr Tunnel was built to accommodate two tracks.
Mickleover
MickleoverGN464218781968
Although officially closed in 1968, the tunnel formed part of a BR Research Division test track until a final train ran on 26th November 1971.
Midhurst
MidhurstMS&MJ276118661964
Midway
MidwayMid104118801966
Mierystock
MierystockS&W242118741956
The northern portal was buried during the 1970s but excavated in 2007.
Mill Hill
Mill HillIoWC208118621966
Moelwyn (Old)
Moelwyn (Old)Fest730118421946
Monks Ferry
Monks FerryC&B371218441966
Evidence suggests that, when first constructed, Monks Ferry Tunnel was ~477 yards long.
Monmouth
MonmouthCMU&P148218571964
Morcott
MorcottLNW448218511966
Morice Yard
Morice YardDD367118771982
Morlais (Miler)
Morlais (Miler)LNW1037218791958
Morley
MorleyGN238218781968
Morwellham
MorwellhamDGC124(g)118581903
Moseley Green
Moseley GreenS&W503118721951
Mosesfield (Balornock)
Mosesfield (Balornock)Cal88118941965
Mossdale Head
Mossdale Head Mid245118781959
Mount Pleasant
Mount PleasantSV123118621970