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 Ps (31)

Tunnel Name(s)CompanyYardsTrksOpenClosedPortalLink
Paddington Canal
Paddington CanalWL40218441860
Paddock
PaddockLNW43(g)1<1890~1966
Paxton (Rockhills)
Paxton (Rockhills)CP&SLJ439218651954
Peggs Green
Peggs GreenCR483(g)118331872?
Penar
PenarGW239119121989
Pencader
PencaderC&C988118641973
Pencaedrain
PencaedrainVoN526218511967
Pendlebury (Fast)
Pendlebury (Fast)L&Y201218871965
Pendleton (Up)
Pendleton (Up)L&Y41(g)118871965
Penmanshiel
PenmanshielNth Brt264218461979
Penmanshiel Tunnel collapsed in 1979 during gauge enhancement works, killing two labourers.
Perridge (Longdown)
Perridge (Longdown)Exe829119031958
A 40-yard section in the middle of Perridge Tunnel collapsed around 1986.
Pickering Nook
Pickering NookWV58(g)118551885
The line through the tunnel was closed in 1866 but it was reused by the Lintz Waggonway in 1867.
Pinnock
PinnockCM1173118741968
Pinnock Hill
Pinnock HillDr&Sn60~11845s1850
Plas Madoc
Plas MadocGW331<1874<1954
Plymouth Ironworks (Trevithick's)
Plymouth Ironworks (Trevithick's)MT384(g)11802<1871
Pontardawe
PontardaweGW1031
The heading of Pontardawe Tunnel was driven in 1918-20 but the line was abandoned before work on it was completed.
Pontypool
PontypoolPIron82(g)1~1825<1920
Pontypridd (Graig/Treforest)
Pontypridd (Graig/Treforest)Barry1323218891951
Port Dinorwic
Port DinorwicPad92~218421961
Port Mulgrave
Port MulgraveGrink1729(g)118751916
Portobello Road
Portobello RoadNth Brt53(g)21846~2000
Portway No.1
Portway No.1BPR&P73118651921
Portway No.2
Portway No.2BPR&P175118651921
Presthope
PresthopeWen207118671963
Privett
PrivettLSW1058219031955
Privett Station
Privett StationLSW55(g)219031955
Prospect (Crimple)
Prospect (Crimple)Y&NM825218481964
Provan Gasworks
Provan GasworksNth Brt520119021962
Pwll-du
Pwll-duHill's2040~11815>1926
Pwll-du Tunnel has two portals at its northern end - a 60yds bore branches off to the east.
Pwllbach New Mine
Pwllbach New MinePCol1892(g)119131966?
Pwllbach New Mine Tunnel has two entrances at its eastern end - a 36yds bore branches off to the south.