Farnley Scar Tunnel
Farnley Scar Tunnel
![The bricked up western portal features a security door and bat holes.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image1-119.jpg)
![A Newcastle-bound train enters the deviation cutting.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image2-119.jpg)
![At the eastern end, the structure gauge has been reduced by the insertion of an additional six brick rings.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image3-119.jpg)
![Further strengthening has been provided by the installation of reinforcement girders.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image4-118.jpg)
![Considerable infilling has taken place in the approach cutting.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image5-118.jpg)
![The breached security fencing awaits attention.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image6-116.jpg)
![The eastern portal slowly disappears into the summer's undergrowth.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image7-113.jpg)
![In August 1960, a Metro-Cammel DMU emerges from the east portal. Excavation work above the tunnel is almost complete.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image8-101.jpg)
![Ex-LNER B1 4-6-0 No.61015 emerges from the west portal with a Newcastle-Keswick train.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image9-87.jpg)
![Looking north-east, a view of a Traxcavator loading lorries. The sandy nature of the soil is evident.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image10-68.jpg)
![A view of the east portal looking north-west showing a 22RB face shovel loading a 5 cubic yard lorry. In the background, a 19RB dragline is forming the batters over the tunnel.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image11-51.jpg)
![A spoil train departs for the Tyne Marshalling Yard site, which was under construction at the time.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image12-38.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image1-119.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image2-119.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image3-119.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image4-118.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image5-118.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image6-116.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image7-113.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image8-101.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image9-87.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image10-68.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image11-51.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image12-38.jpg)
Built to accommodate a single line, a section of Farnley Scar Tunnel (Bridge No.70) gave way on 28th December 1844 during widening work for double track operation. It had opened nine years earlier after more than one million bricks had been laid. A further £1,000-worth of repairs were ordered in 1871 when an inspection uncovered weaknesses.
This chequered history led to the tunnel’s eventual abandonment. Between November 1959 and June 1962, a deviation line was laid through a new cutting under the instruction of Arthur Dean, then Chief Civil Engineer of BR’s North Eastern Region.
Farnley Scar Tunnel was taken out of service on 27th May 1962. Plans to backfill it were recently abandoned by Network Rail on the grounds of cost.