Pete 75C Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 Hi folks. Aside from the London Underground, are there any examples of double track lines running "cut and cover" through city or town centres in the UK? I'm researching a future (fictional) project and I'm struggling to find any photographic evidence that I can use as inspiration. The problem is that, geographically, I don't know where to look! In my mind, I'm imagining looking down from a road bridge into a shallow brick or concrete-lined cutting with the track disappearing into short cut and cover tunnel sections as it makes its way through the town or city. Any inspiration greatly appreciated! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
62613 Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 I've a feeling that the tunnel on the up side of Woolwich Arsenal station might be 'cut and cover'; you could clearly hear the trains beneath your feet in some of the shops above! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin_m Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 I'm pretty sure some of the tunnels in Glasgow are cut and cover. There are several disused ones as well as the surviving lines through Central and Queen Street low level stations. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM42 Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 Only two examples I can think of that come close are Arena Tunnel in Birmingham under the NIA (More of a cover than cut and cover though) and Cofton cutting near Longbridge which I believe was originally going to be cut and cover but then just became cut. I'm sure the Channel Tunnel link used this somewhere but I'm not sure I will keep musing on this . Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 Thanks guys. I know they exist! I remember Mickey posting some pictures from around Sheffield and if not cut and cover, the railway certainly ran in shallow cuttings through an urban landscape... I'll need to try and find that thread. Edit: Found it... these are the pictures that first got me thinking... http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/84573-bridges-trains-and-a-boat-sheffield-today/?p=1415417 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold TheSignalEngineer Posted January 3, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 3, 2015 Only two examples I can think of that come close are Arena Tunnel in Birmingham under the NIA (More of a cover than cut and cover though) and Cofton cutting near Longbridge which I believe was originally going to be cut and cover but then just became cut. I'm sure the Channel Tunnel link used this somewhere but I'm not sure I will keep musing on this . Andy Cofton Cutting was the site of Cofton Tunnel, opened out in 1928 for the quadrupling from Longbridge to Barnt Green. My Grandfather worked as part of the signal gang on the job. See about half way down this page http://www.austinmemories.com/page113/page113.html This is the official report on the roof collapse. http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/MoT_CoftonTunnel1928.pdf The NIA was built on the site of Monumnet Lane Shed and tne Malt Siding and Coal Yard opposite. Going across to the GWR line, the Great Western Arcade was built over the top of the cutting from Temple Row to Colmore Row on the southern approach to Snow Hill in 1874. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 The Great Western Arcade in Birmingham is a pedestrian shopping parade, built on the roofed-over approach cutting leading south from Snow Hill. North Western Arcade, opposite across Temple Row, is I suspect the same, passing the old Rackhams store (now House of Fraser). These are also restricted rights of way, which I suspect has something to do with the arrangements of tenure associated with their railway heritage. EDIT: The Signal Engineer beat me to it! We both like visiting Druckers' Vienna Patisserie, clearly!!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
APOLLO Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 Wigan Wallgate Brit15 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM42 Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 Thanks Signal Engineer for clearing up the Cofton one. I knew there was a tunnel involved somewhere. If you are non to fussy on the time gap between cutting and covering then there is Tesco tunnel (or covered way as it's known) at Gerrards Cross and I am sure there are numerous other build overs. As for true cut and cover I must admit I am struggling a bit. Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Stubby47 Posted January 3, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 3, 2015 Wigan Wallgate Brit15 Now that's what I call a fiddle yard exit ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold TheSignalEngineer Posted January 3, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 3, 2015 The section of Snow hill Tunnel from Moor St to Temple Row was built as part of the original line in 1852. I believe it was built as cut and cover, approximately where Carrs Lane is now.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Huw Griffiths Posted January 3, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 3, 2015 If you are non to fussy on the time gap between cutting and covering then there is Tesco tunnel (or covered way as it's known) at Gerrards Cross and I am sure there are numerous other build overs. I was thinking about that one as soon as I saw the thread title. For some reason, I suspect that a number of Chiltern Line commuters might also have been thinking about that one - I seem to recall that they might have had rather a long time to think about it at the time ... . Obviously, it's possible that my memory might be playing tricks on me ... . Huw. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
St. Simon Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 Hi, There will be a section of 'cut and cover' when the West Access to Heathrow is constructed and the Eastern Access also has some I believe. Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rovex Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 and if you want to see how it should be done, a section of the carrs lane tunnel can be found here. http://archiseek.com/2014/1899-building-gwr-tunnel-carrs-lane-birmingham/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
roythebus Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 The CTRL was build under Ashford in cut and cover tunnel. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold russ p Posted January 3, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 3, 2015 The east end of Stamford station has a fairly long covered way/ cuttinghttp://www.crjennings.com/The%20Remains%20of%20Britains%20Steam%20Age%20Railway/page%2025/DR155-198-,Stamford-Town-Station.jpg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coppercap Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 The Piccadilly Line extension from Hounslow West to Hatton Cross was 'cut and cover'. Yes, I know it's on the London Underground, and it is not in a city centre or town centre, and on it's route it only comes to the surface to cross the River Crane alongside the A30. Also, I don't think any of it has been built over, or is likely to either. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Michael Edge Posted January 3, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 3, 2015 Mersey Railway in Birkenhead is cut and cover after it leaves the river tunnel. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 Only two examples I can think of that come close are Arena Tunnel in Birmingham under the NIA (More of a cover than cut and cover though) and Cofton cutting near Longbridge which I believe was originally going to be cut and cover but then just became cut. I'm sure the Channel Tunnel link used this somewhere but I'm not sure I will keep musing on this . Andy There is a covered way, perhaps not quite a tunnel on CTRL1 between the M20 and Lenham; there may be others. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold big jim Posted January 3, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 3, 2015 gerrards cross "Tesco tunnel" is also classed as a 'covered way', so the sign on the entrance says i remember talking to the driver who took the train through the tunnel just as it collapsed, he said as he reached the end of the tunnel after departing gerrards cross he heard an almighty rumble behind him, poked his head out of the window to see the tunnel collapsed onto the track! said he had nightmares for weeks afterwards st johns wood tunnel on the way into marylebone is cut and cover, actually under lords cricket ground, also where the regents park? hotel is above the tunnel entrance that is situated on an extension to the existing tunnel im pretty sure that one of the tunnels on the way into liverpool seaforth docks has an added section as when you go through the brickwork changes from traditional arch design to a slightly higher flat top for about 25m and back to an arch design for the rest of the tunnel, almost like the 2 tunnels have been joined up into one, its between balliol road and derby road, alhough it may be where the canal goes overhead Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrushVeteran Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 Wolvercote roundabout on the A40 above the line from Oxford to Bicester was built as cut and cover so I am told. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 Thanks for all the replies in such a short space of time! I'll have plenty to search for with Google Images... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gismorail Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 Would you class the approaches to Liverpool Lime Street as 'cut and cover' as I know its not just one long tunnel . Very similar situation was in place with the approach to the Central Station in the same city on the Cheshire Lines Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 I'm pretty sure some of the tunnels in Glasgow are cut and cover. There are several disused ones as well as the surviving lines through Central and Queen Street low level stations. A quick "Google" has unearthed some fantastic stuff from in and around Glasgow. How atmospheric are these...??? https://www.flickr.com/photos/hughspicer/1507864378/in/set-72157612077145252 https://www.flickr.com/photos/hughspicer/1507836410/in/set-72157612077145252 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny Emily Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 The line just north of Bolton Trinity Street station on the line to Blackburn is cut and cover. Above ground there is a road that follows its course (presumably to remove the problems that could be associated with buildings directly above the line). This was double track until the early 1990s IIRC. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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