Description and History of Site:-

Bramhope Tunnel carries the former Leeds & Thirsk Railway (now part of the national rail network) beneath the ridge dividing the Aire and Wharfe valleys. Built between 1845 and 1849 by engineer Thomas Grainger of Edinburgh and contractor James Bray of Leeds, the tunnel is 2 miles 241 yards long and reaches a maximum depth of around 290 ft.

Construction was a huge undertaking, involving up to 2,300 men and 400 horses. Work began with two survey, or “sighting,” towers, one of which still survives. Fifteen construction shafts were sunk, later sealed except for four which became large oval ventilation shafts. Breakthrough was achieved in November 1848, and the tunnel officially opened on 4 July 1849.

The geology was difficult, with strata ranging from sandstone to clay, dipping southwards and broken by seven major faults. Immense volumes of water—some 1,600 million gallons—had to be pumped out during construction. The tunnel remains famously wet, with average outflows of 1.5 million gallons per day recorded over its lifetime.

Both portals are notable for their quality of masonry. The southern entrance near Horsforth is plainer but visually powerful, while the northern portal at Arthington is strikingly castellated, flanked by two towers and adorned with the company’s heraldic device. A model of this portal was erected in Otley churchyard as a memorial to the workers who died during construction.

The abundance of spring water once inspired the railway company to propose establishing a water supply for Leeds, though this was blocked by the city’s waterworks. Ironically, Leeds suffered badly in the drought of 1850–51 when such a supply would have been invaluable. More recently, major works in 2003 and 2006 improved the trackbed and drainage.

Further Reading and References:-

Cossons, Neil. 'The BP Book of Industrial Archaeology'. 1975, David & Charles
Barbey MF, Civil Engineering Heritage - Northern England, Thomas Telford, 1981
http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Bramhope_Tunnel
https://www.networkrail.co.uk/stories/the-architecture-the-railway-built-bramhope-tunnel/

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Key Words :- railway tunnel

Viewing the Site :- Can be viewed at various points along its route

Address :- Bramhope, Leeds, West Yorkshire
Grid Ref :- SE25584380
Co-ordinates :- Lat 53.889756 , Long -1.612284
Local Authority :- Leeds Council
Pre 1974 County :- Yorkshire - West Riding
Site Status :- Listed - Grade II
Historic England List No - 1239959, 1253370, 1261803, 1253379, 1135240,
Site Condition :- Operational site, in use for original purpose
Site Dates :- 1849 - current
Contributor :- John Suter - 26 September 2016

Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © John Suter