British archaeologists have discovered what they believe is the world’s oldest railway tunnel, although there may be some dispute between the newly discovered tunnel and another which up to now was believed to be the oldest. Coincidentally, both tunnels are located in Derbyshire.
The newly discovered tunnel lies on a route known as the Butterley Gangroad. In the beginning the railway was literally powered by horses and was built in 1793. The archaeologist in charge of the project believes that at least parts of the tunnel were built at about the same time the rest of the route was completed. If this is true, its competitor, located on the Peak Forest Tramway and built in 1795, is about two years younger than the Butterley Gangroad tunnel.
The Butterley Gangroad line was originally engineered by Benjamin Outram. In November 1813, legendary Scottish engineer William Brunton tested a steam locomotive built at the Butterley works located in Ripley. (This locomotive was the first steam locomotive to operate in the East Midlands.) The old route was turned into a narrow gauge line during a modernization project in the 1840s and was used by steam engines until it was closed down in 1933. It was used as an air raid shelter during World War II and was finally sealed off in 1980.
The current landowners approached the Derbyshire Archaeological Society and requested an investigation of the tunnel. The Society agreed and opened the tunnel. One of the first projects completed after the tunnel was reopened was the creation of a three-dimensional computer model its interior.
The entire investigation is expected to take approximately two years. Once the work is completed the tunnel will be resealed to preserve it.
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