Heads of the Valley Abandoned Railway Tunnels
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 มี.ค. 2019
- #EveryDisusedStation #Tunnel
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Whilst out filming our Heads Of The Valley Railway 'EveryDisusedStation' video we also took the time to try and find the old tunnels of the same line.
Those tunnels are: Clydach Tunnel, Gelli Felen Tunnel, Beaufort Tunnel and Morlais Tunnel.
This is our adventure from the same day.
Disclaimers as always:
1) Pronunciation will be shocking as ever and not improved since the last video. It was filmed on the same day.
2) As per our disclaimer in the video, we visit these tunnels with the view in mind to document, film and explore only when readily accessible. We tend to leave the fence climbing and such to those a tad more equipped and experienced than us.
Music: Epidemicsound.com
Links:
Patreon: / everydisusedstation
Website: www.paulwhitewick.co.uk/
EveryDisusedStation: www.paulwhitewick.co.uk/Everyd...
Track our progress: www.paulwhitewick.co.uk/Everyd... - บันเทิง
I live in Beaufort, the old site of the Beaufort station on this railway is around 200 metres from my house. You've done a lot more exploring than I've done with this on my doorstep. It's a beautiful part of the world, even if I do say so myself. It's such a shame so much is now gone. The area used to have a significant number of railway viaducts, one excellent example can still be seen off the Heads of the Valleys road at Tredegar. You can walk across as well. There another larger one at the bottom of Merthyr. Another recommendation would be to look at the history of Crumlin viaduct. My father always said it was spectacular. It was used as a filming location for a film called Arabesque starring Sophia Loren.
Hi Paul, re Beaufort tunnel - it was a short tunnel which went under the main road. The station was in a cutting just outside the nw? portal.
The cutting was infilled, burying the station site and tunnel portal. You couldn't find the tunnel or station because they are now under that car park which you were pointing to.
Keep up the good work!
Those tunnels are beautiful! The masonry workmanship is fantastic. No maintenance for years and they are still in great shape. Really appreciate these videos. So glad to see your wife's lovely smile again!
Thank you glad you are enjoying them. I suspect they will still be standing in another 60 years!
Great energy, info & jolly good fun plus I also love the Outtakes!
You pair are helping me immensely pin point the various tunnels I've not been able to find. Keep it up.
Thanks, have you seen our website? We have a map with most on that we have visited.
That was fantastic thanks. Those tunnels just fantastic. Thanks for taking me along
Always a pleasure Linda.
Excellent video. Very interesting histoically. Great architecture once again. The insides were amazing. Thanks for the journey
Amazing how some of the tunnels are still in good condition, great video.
Cheers Simon. Another 60 years....
Giggly couple! Excellent video...
Looks like just getting to the tunnels can be adventures. Declaimer: I don't think you need any declaimers, sharing what you do and where you go and making it so entertaining is more than good enough.
Thank you Jonathan, very kind. We have had a comment or two on some forums so we thought we would highlight that we aren't in this for the caving/climbing fences etc. Appreciate the words.
Going through your videos and love the way you present them. Big fan here
Thank you Philip
Hi yooz two, here's a suggestion for you both. I noticed your footwear is either, trainers, which aren't clever in the wet & cold, or wellies, which aren't good for walking long distances in. So here's a suggestion you mite wanna look into. If you look on ebay, & type in 'British Army Extreme Cold Weather Boots', you'll see a black fairly high leg leather boot. These boots are gore-tex & thinsulate lined, so are 100% waterproof, extremely comfortable to wear for long periods, breatheable, require no breaking in, or the need to wear heavy socks, as they keep your feet toastie, have brilliant grip, & retail from £55 - £85, oh, & come in girlie sizes for Rebecca. I bought a pair 18 months ago and for the money I'd say are the best boots I've ever owned, so maybe it's an avenue you mite wanna check out. Keep up this great content, & take care with your exploring, Regards........Rural Geez.
I was born near this location and have had a lifelong interest in industrial and transport history.
fantastic, scary, marvellous, brilliant,. great presentation
You are very kind. Really pleased you are enjoying our little channel. 👍👍
Loved the corpsing outtakes at the end, that whole set up with 2 tunnels and a tunnel under them, with the possible aqueduct was pretty damned impressive, alot of almost professional engineering went on there.
We arrived at that specific location at around 5pm. I would have loved to explored there more if it hadn't been for the fading light. There must be another tunnel even lower down the embankment!.... Beautiful area.
A lot of *very* professional engineering went on there- these were built by the Victorians y'know. Built to last.
Another great video from the dynamic duo of Abandoned Railways. Many thanks for sharing this with us. I was working in the "Tred eager" area some years ago and travelled the Heads of the Valleys road a good few times, but hadn't realised there had been a railway up there. Yet *another* gap in my education... Keep safe and keep exploring!
Thanks Stephen, yup it's very well hidden to be fair.
Stephen, a good deal of the Heads of the Valley road has been built over the Heads of the Valleys railway like here... slide the blue dot for aerial overlay.
maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/index.cfm#zoom=14&lat=51.7764&lon=-3.3075&layers=10&b=1
Tunnels frequently have catch-pits or sumps from where drainage channels run, they often have gratings over 'man-holes' but these are sometimes built of timber and can be treacherous. These voids are something to always be on the lookout for. Look up tunnel construction, you may be surprised to note how they are built. They usually are almost like cylinders, rather than just an inverted 'U' built upon sub-soil or rock bases. The water drainage tunnel you found showed what the floor of a great many railway tunnels were built like.
Cheers Peebee. Yup we had heard that Morlais had some exposed catchpits hence why we approached with significant caution.
Interestingly "forgotten relics" has some amazing TH-cam videos up of that exact subject. But I'd not seen anything on the base layer. Thanks again. 👍👍
Love how you go we're not Urban Explorers and then go Urban Exploring
😂😂.... Fair point!
Great vid! Wow! Didn't realise you came down as far as Merthyr area (I'm literally 20 mins down the valley) This is why I love wales and where I live - the views are awesome as we saw on your vid! Love the tunnels, brickwork was so picturesque! Still working my way through all your vids!
Very enjoyable. You are very good at picking good music to accompany your videos
Love your videos and have been gradually going through them during the last 6 months. The tunnel ones always fascinate, because about 40 years ago I was intrigued by the disused tunnel which went from Barry Island station through the headland to the Pier Station. Perhaps you'll have a look at that sometime and see if that's accessible.
I for one am delighted by your explorative Video’s. Some of the most Beautiful scenery in The UK.🇬🇧👍Thank you Rebecca and Paul.
Thanks James. We absolutely love this too! Loads filmed and in the bag.... Just need to edit
I was brought up in South Wales so great to see these videos :)
Cheers Jen. Back here soon! We love the area.
great video.
*Paul & Rebecca* - Always a pleasure to watch your videos. So relaxing, so 'normal' (for me).
I'm no stranger to exploration either. Having grown-up in Surrey and later Pembrokeshire, railways and old industrial sites (mines, quarries, MoD installations etc...) are something that have always held my facination and when I lived in Wales, the old 'Beeching Axe' trackbeds were my primary method of getting across some pretty arduous terrain, as they were generally straight and level, though often very overgrown in places. I even walked the 'active line' that ran from Camarthen to Fishguard via Haverfordwest as a means to quickly get to the latter county town (Shhhhh...)
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....Well, one can always hear the Deltics or Class 37's that frequented this line, miles before it reached one's current location and of course, 'twitching rails' will often signal an approaching train well in advance, so one had time to duck into the trackside undergrowth or one of the ubiquitous and well spaced trackside sheds - those sheds exists in all parts of the railway network, current and disused and vary in design and construction method, many in Pembrokeshire, made with Welsh slate and resembling tiny cottages, with chimneys and complete with equally tiny cast-iron ranges!
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BTW - I have frequented and lived fairly close to where the 'Blue Stones' were quarried for Stonehenge. I'm so glad the Preselies were a part of my youth then. That country saved my sanity.
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Coast paths are another of my favourite hiking trails and when I was 17, I completed the entire Pembrokeshire Coast Path in just under two weeks. And my SO and I, now living in Cornwall have extensively explored our lovely county. I've walked most of the old North Cornwall line - Launceston to Wadebridge, via Davidstowe, Camelford, Delabole (where I lived at the time), St Teeth etc...
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So watching you two lovely people doing your thing is quite close to my heart. Well done and keep-em comming
Another great video! Forgetting the torch is like me forgetting my microphone, it happens to all of us!
Great video. You made the tunnel subject very interesting.
Thanks Richard. Glad you enjoyed it.
No idea how I missed this video.
A great video as usual. Thanks Paul and Rebecca.
I'm puzzled that no one realised the date from back to the future. 🤭
3:12 Between 1969 and 1877, the line was a success.
Very enjoyable video thank you
Cheer Terry.
You two are so special and very lucky 🌈
Cheers Steve. 👍👍
I love how you explain everything and also respect private property. Both of you are what people should strive to be as explorers of historical sites.
Off to these tunnels soon! They filmed an episode of Doctor Who in the 70s there so quite excited to see it in person!
Do miss the walk's into tunnel's (or anywhere) today I can manage to walk 200 yds and my rip play's up, old age don't come alone...! geart vid's nice photo's, enjoy your young life's.
Such fabulous tunnels, thanks for filming. I am sure that Ivor The Engine is still hiding deep down in one of those ...
I think he is in Sennybridge tunnel.
@@pwhitewick thank you for the reassurance and your fascinating videos
thank you
.....thank you!
This was actually a tramroad, at one time. The tunnel was added as the train couldn’t turn as sharply. A second tunnel was added as there was so much coal moving down to Newport for export. You can still see this line from the Heads of the Valleys road (A465) .
Very interesting.......
It's hard to even imagine how much blood, sweat and sheer muscle-power went into building these tunnels! Just a pity they are no longer being used for the benefit of mankind.
Indeed. This route would be something else right now. At the least one of the UK's most scenic lines.
Great video about the tunnels guys puts modern day structures to shame . Built to last then . Keep up the cracking videos
Watching some of the older videos because I am a recent subscriber.
Great stuff. Amazing tunnels. Music? Sounds fine to me ;)
HI! Once again stumbled upon this video after looking for some info on our railway cottage (the one just down from the halt - The crossing cottage). You have found the tunnels under the tunnels which are, as you thought - Culvert. If you ever want to see them properly in the correct gear as its dangerous down there - Drop us a message... somehow!
Hilarious at the end! 👍🤣
Take.... 768
Absolutely love the videos. Wish you could do more of the B and MR railway in merthyr Tydfil. With cefn viaduct. Spans 770ft and 115ft high.
We looove Wales, do assurances it won't be long before we are back.
This line represented a major feat of engineering, and was a testament to the importance of reaching Merthyr Tydfil during the early to mid years of the industrial revolution. Sadly, more of this monument to Victorian ingenuity has recently been obliterated due to the widening of the A465.
10/10 for Rebaccas funbags 👍
I've been to the end of both clydach tunnels in 2015, both bricked up at the other ends, did left side gelli tunnel and other drain off tunnel
Great video love the tunnels. John Rooney
Cheers John
Cracking video - I’ve also just spent an hour searching through Epidemic searching for the ‘horrible’ music....I still can’t find it!!
Haha.... which bit of the video. Ill see if I can find it
Living in South Wales with all its industrial history I am fascinated by what’s left.I wonder if you are aware that there was a railway that run from Big Arch in Abersychan,near Pontypool, to Blaenserchan Colliery.It was used to get the miners to work.My grandad was one and we walked this line one Sunday afternoon when the pit was still open.I must have been about six.This was in the sixties.The track must be gone now- but it might not be.I have watched a you tube video of the pit site as it is now but don’t think anyone has walked the railway.
Trackbed still clearly visible. I have walked it many times having been born nearby.
Been doing industrial and transport history and archaeology for over 60 years.
A totally engrossing hobby!
Another cracking video just to help a bit with welsh ..try saying tread eager that comes close to the way it should be said !
Cheers Saltley. We had a debate with a friend recently about that very name!
At about 10.30 you visit the upper culvert which is in brick, on a gradual curve and slope and is pretty much dry, you saw the downstream protal at about 7.05; the lower culvert is much more interesting, stepped in masonry and is always wet with a pool inside the downstram portal - it's accessible only with great care and suitable wet gear, it the upstream portal is just below the waterfall you refer to before entering the upper culvert. I may not do it again now I'm almost an OAP!
There is an abandoned railway tunnel known locally as the Racey which ran from Salford quays formerly Salford docks passed the gas works towards Salford university, I walked this tunnel in 1971 before it was closed, I would love it if you could give some history about this it ran under Regent road Salford !
Sounds good to me! Has Martin Zero looked at this one?
Thought you might be interested in the GRWYNE FAWR RESERVOIR, RAILWAY. Built in the 1920's to carry materials for the Grwynw Fawr Dam construction. The track was dismantled after the construction was complete, I haven't been there since 1990 but alot of the infrastructure was still in place back then. The area also has other interesting features such as the twisted church at Cwmyoy, the Skirrid Inn in Llanvihangle Crucorney (very historic) Llanthony Priory (a ruined monastery with a hotel and pub) and Hay Bluff with a mountain road through to Hay on Wye.
Love the sound of this. I have made a note and will pop it on our list of things to look at. Much appreciated.
Love the sound of this. I have made a note and will pop it on our list of things to look at. Much appreciated.
This an interesting area, cast your memory back to the two princess, Harry and William abseiling down a dam wall this is the place, some the footings for the village they built for the workers are still there. was also a school and hospital there. and it was said that it was the first place in this part of Wales to have electricity installed
No Bobble hat to be seen?
Spring must be here!
This can only be good news. Bobble hat to return late autumn!
If you ever get a chance to go to Vietnam there are some places you can take boat tours of natural tunnels. Ninh Binh being a great place to go....for a few $ you can get a guided boat tour through different routes and I think the longest cave is 1km.
WOOHOO FROM TEXAS 😎😎😎
Love doing photography in these tunnels great video mate live about 15 minutes away from this tunnel did you check the ones in Merthyr abandoned tunnels
Cheers Kurt. We didn't get time to do Morlais this time around unfortunately. So we had to rely on the old footage we had. We do need/want to come back again here so will do the walk through of Morlais completely next time.
nice one so many disused railway tunnels in the south wales area @@pwhitewick
@@kurtvanlife yup. Every time we get the old maps out to explore we spend hours deciding where to explore first. An amazing historic area. Love this place.
Your attempts at pronouncing Welsh place names are funny!
Can you give details of your new super-duper torch, as I am looking to purchase one soon, to replace the bulky thing I have at present?
Drop me an email via the website paulwhitewick.co.uk and I'll send you the link. That said, always looking for tips ourselves!
Have you seen the THE FORGOTTON RELICS OF A BYGONE AGE web site they have dozens of pictures of the insides of tunnel as I believe has has access to the locked up tunnel as part of his job,there is some tunnels that members of the public send him also on the site,hope this is some help.
Thanks Michael. Yes a lot of our research for our trips is done using that site. It's an amazing resource, which I hope continues to grow.
Forgetting the torch was a bit dim. The vid has brightened up my afternoon though. Thank you!
That took me longer than it should.... !! Thanks Russ... 👍😂👍
Oh, not rubber boots but Wellies. From north of the Colonies
Hello again Paul and Rebecca, one small question, I have noticed both yourself and many other vloggers place their camera down, walk away from it, then go back to pick it up. Does this come naturally or does it have to be taught. How much further do you actually walk than you have to by always doing this?
It took some time getting used to doing this. Now it's on our minds most of the time, what would make a decent entrance/exit to where we are. It also acts as a good transition. We basically walk as far as feels comfortable.... Lots of people around then we avoid it!
It would have been easier to park the car in Brynmawr, walk (nearly) all the way down on the old track and catch the bus back up - assuming the road works at the top of the valley is just about finished by now.
Yes Huw. We got rather lost at that point.
Forgot your powerful torch. I do it from time to time, camera also.
I think it was in this video that you asked for phonetic ways of pronouncing some Welsh place names. Well the Morlais Tunnel is situated 200 meters or so from my wife's childhood home and phonetically she suggests pronouncing Morlais as More - Lice. Hope this helps.
Thanks Graham. Yup that's about the only one we managed to get right
If it leads to Manchester it was from my house it was a woollen mill it transported wool to Manchester
Do you ever take a carbon monoxide detector with you? Not that I know about these things but I guess there could be that or other gasses in there (or even explosive ones perhaps? - I was stimulated to write this as I saw the notice about 'air quality')
Good question. We have asked a few "caving" experts we know recently what their view is and generally their advice is 'you'll be fine'.... If we get into a tunnel it's more than likely through an open end and thus as long as it's not miles long it will be ventilated. We would question our decision to go in somewhere that is not open ended and has significant standing water.
The sign you saw in the video was at a conduit tunnel and around 10 yards long. I would question if there is any real issue here being 100 yards from the open end. I think it would be more to keep people out.
Should you go back to Morlais, if you head away from the tunne, towards Merthyr, you'll come to the magnificent Cefn Coed viaduct
Ahhhh rings a bell. I think we may have driven close to it on our way to Torpantua a while back!?
@@pwhitewick That's likely, the A470 runs right past it... am not sure but there could be a path on it now
@@andrewphillips9391 I remember going around a very tight small bend and looking up, surprised to see this huge structure towering above us!
@@pwhitewick yes indeed, impressive isn't it? That's one line I would to have travelled on, fine engineering and fierce gradients
Enjoyed - again. Do I understand it that there are over 40 miles of underground tunnels at Worsley including an inclined plane?
40 miles!!??
The underground tunnels which are part of the Worsley mines complex. Worth a research!
P.s. I have walked the trackbed many times. Still clearly visible.
Another great job. What, no locks to break or safes to open! Eat some roasted coffee beans from Columbia dipped in real chocolate and you'll be ready to explore the tunnels. Tea just won't do it. Whether the bush or jungle, a large knife with a machete and bear spray, is a must in the deep bush. And that's before you leave the house. Ok, what about at least a flashlight, headlight rubber boots? Oh and a shotgun, na you can leave that out in England, bunny rabbits don't attack.
I’ve been watching abandoned mine videos and a few of your videos popped up. Being a typical American, loud and maybe not so subtle. My first reaction was Why are you speaking so softly? But i gave you a go thinking how can I possibly watch this? You are way too British, look-a-like, in love, middle class and perhaps live in rural Britton about mid state er l mean mid Britton', guessing by your accent! I watched a few more and I’ve begun to understand your lingo and have laughed over a few of your jokes. Congrats with the subject matter! Enjoyable show! Thanks!
SJ
Ahhh now that's a lovely comment Sheriff. You aren't too far wrong with the location. Think Southampton and the head north about half an hour.
I'm not sure about the Middle Class though but I guess that depends on your definition . Hope you are enjoying the channel. 👍👍
@@pwhitewick Sorry, I tend not to be very PC. My wife is a director of order mgt (whatever that means) and I'm a Engineer. We consider ourselves to be middle class. Probably should have said "Professionals"
I got close, however, to your location by your accent. We have friends who live about an hour or so north of London and your accents are very similar. I'll have to listen more carefully.
Really enjoy your side by side maps. Very cool! Your knowledge and dedication is what keeps me watching!
SJ
@@pwhitewick
'ampshire then?
Winchester?
BTW, isn't it the Heads of the Valleys (plural)?
Or is that only the A465 road?
I'm from 10 minutes east of Southampton and I live just north of the Heads of the Valleys road.
@@adventussaxonum448 ah yes I am sure you are right. 👍👍
If anyone likes exploring abandoned places like this, I'd reccomend looking at a game called INFRA.
Please tell me what the music is ?
In this video everything we used comes from Epidemic sound through a paid license. Sorry I didn't make a note at the time of editing.
Very enjoyable but please watch your use of the apostrophe "s". Naughty naughty.
Thank you. Oooops. Yes a crash course in GCSE English might be required. (Again).
I just created this account under my real name and subscribed to your channel again. I subscribed to your channel under my other TH-cam name 'awizardalso''. I don't use this account often as I have subscribed to more channels under the awizardalso account and get more notifications. It will take a long time to subscribe to all the other channels on this account.
Tred-EE-gah.
I know it’s spelt Tredegar, but is pronounced as above.
Just ask a local when you film abroad 😁
Apparently the locals pronounce it two different ways!
@@pwhitewick Possibly Tra-dee-gar? That's how we pronounce it in Cardiff.
@@pwhitewick Pronounce / say it quickly as one word - Tread-eager
Watched out of sequence getting really addicted web site next?
www.paulwhitewick.co.uk
P.s. Should you decide to order some & decide to keep them, it would be my pleasure to pay for them, as I have this strange urge to look after my new geeky mates, & don't want your content to get put on hold while you recover from broken ankles or trenchfoot. I have a PayPal account, so feel free to contact me should you decide to take me up on my offer. Regards Rural Geeze.
Hello Rural Geeze. Very kind of you to offer. Please do feel free to drop us an email if you have a chance. I won't publish it hear but check out the website. Much appreciated.
Maybe you should describe yourselves as urbane explorers?
If you were to edit your videos down to half the length you would double the chances of me watching them. I'm interested in your project, but 15mins is too long a time commitment for each one.
We are always conscious of the time for sure. Quite a science behind the economics of the ideal YT video. We've managed to get down from 25-30 mins down to around 15 mins. Our goal is 10-12 mins.
you could select 1.25 speed-up
I'd rather watch videos double the length of this video. please don't edit them down
Learn to say Tredegar correctly its not that hard, I will write it in a way you can understand tra- deeg - r
Fantastic, but the horrible "music" is not required
In your opinion.
There 4 of us watching we all agreed music is not required but the vid was quite amazing we look forward to more.
@@brucenichols9153 all four?.... In that case you are clearly right. The music was indeed 'horrible'. My apologies.
Terible "music" ! What a pity.
Terrible comment. Such a shame.
@@pwhitewick But so true.
@@johnbishop5316 I know. You can't even spell terrible. 🙄
Sorry to be such an old curmudgeon. Your work is fascinating. But your music is irrelevant and sometimes louder than your speech. So I'm constantly having to change the volume. Anyone with some hearing diffulties is going to be struggling. Do keep up the good work but do consider your listeners as well as viewers.
@@pwhitewick I'm just faster than my keyboard.