Having had close association with Yeovil Railway Centre since 1994, and also having visited the occupants of Clifton Maybank House in the interests of mutual understanding, I can add another thread to the story of the tunnel. It was built at the same time as the railway to allow coach and horses from the house to access the town along the river bank.
Great video. I walked through this once about 25 years ago! I believe it was originally built as a flood alleviation channel for when the nearby River Yeo was in high flood, and its own tunnel under the railway was overflowing. Also I'm guessing to drain water off the station above, hence the numerous roof vents. I think it's subsequently been used as a cattle creep and that's what it's now classified as if you look up the bridge code. Thanks for bringing back a great memory!
As far as I know it was always a cattle subway for the farmer to gain access to his fields on both sides. also shown on maps from 1840's as cattle subway.
@@Thunderer0872 You're probably spot on, I'm only going off the map on the Kent Rail page which marks the tunnel as 'overflow tributary'. It could well be wrong!
For what it is worth when i visited the tunnel many years ago when i was young there were large piles of ash below each hole so i surmised it was where the steam locos raked out their fire boxes to avoid any risk of fire. I could be wrong but the piles of ash were very distinctive.
I can tell everyone it's NOT a flood run or for passengers to cross the line (there were footbridges on the station for that) it is in fact an occupation crossing or cattle run for the farmers to get their cattle from one side to the next, it is clearly marked on old maps as such. there is a culvert also nearby that allowed water to flow, but this is not that one.
Nice one mate. To take you to the next level it would be good if you could voiceover the video with information on what we are seeing. You can usually do that with your editing tool. For an example I have some voiceover in the middle of my latest film if interested.
Yeah definitely Dale I plan to. I'm still a baby when it comes to editing. I did use it on my last vid briefly. Loads more adventures to come that will only get better. Cheers for your input Dale, love your vids 📹
My late dad and his friends (fellow train spotters) back in the late 1920s/30s told me back then it was used by pedestrians to gain access to the other side of what was then a 8/9 platform station. Back then he would say the ACE (Atlantic Coast Express) could be up to four portions at the height of the season.
As far as I know it was always a cattle subway for the farmer to gain access to his fields on both sides. also shown on maps from 1840's as cattle subway.
@@nickbannister775 There wasn't 9 platforms also this is 20 foot lower than the station. it has no direct access or route from the station, its either a long walk over the hill and down to the river on the north side or down to the right under the bridge up past the turntable along past the steam centre then down to the river by walking south then back north along the steep bank down to the tunnel. Old Yeovil even with the GWR had 4 Southern platforms & 2 GWR platform's all connected by 2 footbridges. they closed the GWR link in the 1930's so it's been 4 platforms for a while.
Back when I was a lad,me and my mates used to go to Yeovil junction via pen mill and walk the line most of the way,including trying to climb the steep 'cut' as the line went around a left curve! If I'm at the right place(it would have been '74-76 ish!)if you stand in the entrance(which at that time was half full of the remains of fire boxes etc!)and over to the right at about 2 o'clock position there is a tree with a tunnel entrance under its root.its brick built and not very big maybe 3 foot wide,we used to go in there to see the horseshoe bats using candle's for light! Crazy stupid looking back but yer young and indestructible! Thanks for the memory!
You are most welcome 🙏 Derrick I hope you enjoyed. I also have memories but late 80s/90s. It's so overgrown and forgotten that I had to film it. I ventured on my own and was kind of something I had to do. My uncle lost his life at Yeovil Junction in an accident 😢. It's a sort of dedication to him 🙏
Myself and my son visited today,hard to get to as it’s heavily overgrown with nettles etc,but we got through,my first visit was about 35 years ago,back then you could access it from the top by the steam engine place,no fences no nothing God video though
Having had close association with Yeovil Railway Centre since 1994, and also having visited the occupants of Clifton Maybank House in the interests of mutual understanding, I can add another thread to the story of the tunnel. It was built at the same time as the railway to allow coach and horses from the house to access the town along the river bank.
That would explain why it's so narrow and so high.
Great video. I walked through this once about 25 years ago! I believe it was originally built as a flood alleviation channel for when the nearby River Yeo was in high flood, and its own tunnel under the railway was overflowing. Also I'm guessing to drain water off the station above, hence the numerous roof vents. I think it's subsequently been used as a cattle creep and that's what it's now classified as if you look up the bridge code. Thanks for bringing back a great memory!
You are most welcome 🙏. Visiting also brought back lot's of memories for me.
As far as I know it was always a cattle subway for the farmer to gain access to his fields on both sides. also shown on maps from 1840's as cattle subway.
@@Thunderer0872 You're probably spot on, I'm only going off the map on the Kent Rail page which marks the tunnel as 'overflow tributary'. It could well be wrong!
I have been in there a few times. When there is heavy rain it floods down there. The river being right next to the tunnel.
Went there tonight it’s crazy 🤘
For what it is worth when i visited the tunnel many years ago when i was young there were large piles of ash below each hole so i surmised it was where the steam locos raked out their fire boxes to avoid any risk of fire. I could be wrong but the piles of ash were very distinctive.
I can tell everyone it's NOT a flood run or for passengers to cross the line (there were footbridges on the station for that) it is in fact an occupation crossing or cattle run for the farmers to get their cattle from one side to the next, it is clearly marked on old maps as such. there is a culvert also nearby that allowed water to flow, but this is not that one.
Nice one mate. To take you to the next level it would be good if you could voiceover the video with information on what we are seeing. You can usually do that with your editing tool. For an example I have some voiceover in the middle of my latest film if interested.
Yeah definitely Dale I plan to. I'm still a baby when it comes to editing. I did use it on my last vid briefly. Loads more adventures to come that will only get better. Cheers for your input Dale, love your vids 📹
My late dad and his friends (fellow train spotters) back in the late 1920s/30s told me back then it was used by pedestrians to gain access to the other side of what was then a 8/9 platform station.
Back then he would say the ACE (Atlantic Coast Express) could be up to four portions at the height of the season.
Great information 👍 👌🏼
As far as I know it was always a cattle subway for the farmer to gain access to his fields on both sides. also shown on maps from 1840's as cattle subway.
Your probably right, back then 20/30s the boys would have used it to gain access to either line to see the trains.
@@nickbannister775 There wasn't 9 platforms also this is 20 foot lower than the station. it has no direct access or route from the station, its either a long walk over the hill and down to the river on the north side or down to the right under the bridge up past the turntable along past the steam centre then down to the river by walking south then back north along the steep bank down to the tunnel. Old Yeovil even with the GWR had 4 Southern platforms & 2 GWR platform's all connected by 2 footbridges. they closed the GWR link in the 1930's so it's been 4 platforms for a while.
Back when I was a lad,me and my mates used to go to Yeovil junction via pen mill and walk the line most of the way,including trying to climb the steep 'cut' as the line went around a left curve! If I'm at the right place(it would have been '74-76 ish!)if you stand in the entrance(which at that time was half full of the remains of fire boxes etc!)and over to the right at about 2 o'clock position there is a tree with a tunnel entrance under its root.its brick built and not very big maybe 3 foot wide,we used to go in there to see the horseshoe bats using candle's for light! Crazy stupid looking back but yer young and indestructible! Thanks for the memory!
You are most welcome 🙏 Derrick I hope you enjoyed. I also have memories but late 80s/90s. It's so overgrown and forgotten that I had to film it. I ventured on my own and was kind of something I had to do. My uncle lost his life at Yeovil Junction in an accident 😢. It's a sort of dedication to him 🙏
Sorry to hear that,nice spot for quiet contemplation. I probably couldn't find it now if I tried! May do one day,bucket list kinda thing.
How do I get to this ?
Not easy Bob. If you look to the left as you drive up to the carpark you can follow this video from the Newton Path 👍
Thank for the help just got back from it it very cool at night
Know the tunnel well it served no purpose to the railway whatsoever, it was used by farmers to gaine acsse with cattle from one side to the other
Myself and my son visited today,hard to get to as it’s heavily overgrown with nettles etc,but we got through,my first visit was about 35 years ago,back then you could access it from the top by the steam engine place,no fences no nothing
God video though
Brilliant thanks for watching. Yes was a long time since you could visit the top way. Glad you and your son got to enjoy it 😀.
Nice 👍🏻
Many thanks 😊 🙏