Gomersal Tunnel
Gomersal Tunnel
![The west portal is stone-built and resides at the end of a partly-infilled approach cutting. Had it been fully infilled, the brick structure would have formed an access shaft.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image1-127.jpg)
![A pipe in the south wall allows water to drain into the tunnel close to the entrance, sometimes in significant quantities.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image2-127.jpg)
![As a result, the western end is susceptible to flooding.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image3-127.jpg)
![One ventilation shaft was provided. This is now capped, the surface structure having been pushed down into the tunnel.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image4-126.jpg)
![The shaft itself is brick-lined but the voussoirs at its base are stone.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image5-126.jpg)
![Neat but shallow refuges are built into both walls.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image6-124.jpg)
![Mineral deposits on the north side are indicative of water penetration.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image7-120.jpg)
![The tunnel sits on an unusual S-shaped alignment. This shot shows the curvature at the east end.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image8-107.jpg)
![The east portal is less impressive than its sibling and is joined at its north end to a substantial retaining wall.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image9-92.jpg)
![Land on the approach to the tunnel was the site of Gomersal Station.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image10-73.jpg)
![In February 1963, Jubilee class 45698 Mars leaves the west end of the tunnel, heading towards Cleckheaton.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image11-56.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image1-127.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image2-127.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image3-127.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image4-126.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image5-126.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image6-124.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image7-120.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image8-107.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image9-92.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image10-73.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image11-56.jpg)
Lined in blue engineering brick but with stone portals, Gomersal’s 819-yard tunnel was cut by the London & North Western Railway as part of its Leeds ‘new line’, opening on 1st October 1900.
On the surface, above its centre, is the Shoulder of Mutton pub which was bought by the company during construction, in case it fell into the workings. Now, when draymen use the barrel drop, the noise echoes around the tunnel and vibrations are felt in the cottage next door.
The section of route between Farnley Junction and Cleckheaton Spen was deemed surplus to requirements on 6th September 1965, but reopened in November to maintain a connection to Liversedge Spen. Closure finally claimed it on 11th January 1966 when a new spur was commissioned from the L&Y line at Heckmondwike.
Gomersal Tunnel follows an S-shaped alignment and includes a single ventilation shaft – now capped – close to its centre. Water is allowed to drain into the tunnel at the west portal via a pipe in the south wall – this results in considerable volumes of standing water following periods of wet weather.
The odd brick structure at the western end would have allowed access for inspections after the approach cutting was infilled. But, at the last moment, Railtrack and Kirklees Council dithered and, in 1997, decided to stop any further tipping on the site.
(Many thanks to Michael King for the above information).