Smiffy49 590 Posted January 22, 2016 Report Share Posted January 22, 2016 I know the old GCR tunnel to Weekday Cross has heating pipes inside it, but does anyone know what is the current use or planned future use, of the GCR Mansfield Road Tunnel? Does anyone know of anyone who has ever been inside the Mansfield Road Tunnel (either in a private or professional capacity)? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted January 22, 2016 Report Share Posted January 22, 2016 3 or 4 times Smiffy..last time was 1973 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Merthyr Imp 729 Posted January 22, 2016 Report Share Posted January 22, 2016 There's something about it in the book 'The Rise & Fall of Nottingham's Railway Network - Volume 3 - Off the Beaten Track' by Hayden J. Reed, published by Book Law in 2009. It mentions the tunnel being inspected in 2002 and describes it as being 'still littered with reminders of its railway past' with track keys, a few sleepers, a signal post, etc, etc. Three photos are included, taken on the occasion of the visit in January 2002 by Council engineers. It says the tunnel (and also Sherwood Rise tunnel) is visited occasionally by the engineers. 'They no longer provide routes anywhere, and being blocked off without through ventilation, they are classified as confined spaces and potentially susceptible to the build up of toxic gases. Consequently they are only entered by qualified personnel with breathing apparatus, and they are kept securely closed.' Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NewBasfordlad 3,599 Posted January 22, 2016 Report Share Posted January 22, 2016 If I have the right tunnel the station at the Forest end as been filled in and built on. Vic end is blocked I believe some of the rail experts will be along to confirm or correct me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NewBasfordlad 3,599 Posted January 22, 2016 Report Share Posted January 22, 2016 Beat me to it MI. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
loppylugs 8,429 Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 I'm surprised they never developed it as a quick route in and out of downtown. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 Straight into Vic centre Dave. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
loppylugs 8,429 Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 Not sure whether that would be considered good or bad. LOL. You would still be free to go elsewhere on arrival. Avoid traffic congestion on Mansfield Rd. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rob.L 1,090 Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 Perhaps they could use it for a new tram route? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 Perhaps the land at Carrington has all been built on. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,468 Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 Look at it from above at Sherwood Rise and all sign of the tunnel has totally disappeared. It used to come out at the light-brown building in the lower right corner, and the line was approximately here. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
loppylugs 8,429 Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 If they had put some commuter parking around the area of Clarendon, they could have used a few railcars each way. I'm sure quite a lot of folks from that side of town would have used it. Should have been relatively inexpensive. The infrastructure was already there. Btw. Where did the Sherwood Rise tunnel come out in Basford? I used to live over in that direction but don't ever remember seeing it back in the 60s. It might have been possible to have had a commuter line right from the ring road. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FLY2 10,108 Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 There are a multitude of pics of the northern end of Sherwood Rise tunnel in various books on Nottinghams railways. Plus of course those on the ex GC. There is a memorable one of a northbound 9F taken by Tom Bousted. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
.... 23 Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 If they had put some commuter parking around the area of Clarendon, they could have used a few railcars each way. I'm sure quite a lot of folks from that side of town would have used it. Should have been relatively inexpensive. The infrastructure was already there. I've always considered the idea of using the old tunnel in some way as an interesting one. A similar principle is in place of course just down the road with the park and ride/tram set up at the Forest. I'm not sure how much it would help these days as there's still a procession of traffic from where the tunnel would emerge, off in various directions, i.e. Carrington/Sherwood which is snarled up each day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,468 Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 Btw. Where did the Sherwood Rise tunnel come out in Basford? I used to live over in that direction but don't ever remember seeing it back in the 60s. It might have been possible to have had a commuter line right from the ring road. From the RCTS website. This is looking back towards Nottingham. Basford station is just behind the photographer; the road going across the top-back is Perry Road. 1 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,144 Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 If they had put some commuter parking around the area of Clarendon, they could have used a few railcars each way. I'm sure quite a lot of folks from that side of town would have used it. Should have been relatively inexpensive. The infrastructure was already there. Btw. Where did the Sherwood Rise tunnel come out in Basford? I used to live over in that direction but don't ever remember seeing it back in the 60s. It might have been possible to have had a commuter line right from the ring road. It came over a steel bridge wth blue brick supports over Haydn Road where there used to be a high level station. It was next to the Stag Furniture factory and the Cooper Brothers hosiery factory - both since demolished. There was a coal yard and sidings on the Nottingham Rd. side of the station. The track continued on over Valley Road. It's all built over now. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 #15= nice shot Cliff,a Mick Shaw photograph? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,468 Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 According to RCTS, like many of their photos it is most likely the work of Peter Green who was local to the Nottingham area. Presumably when he wasn't practising guitar. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 Thank you Cliff. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FLY2 10,108 Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 There are several good pictures in Railways North From Nottingham " in the latter days of steam ' by Malcolm Castledine. Volume 1. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chulla 4,946 Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 #15. Perry Road over-bridge is behind the photographer. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 Carved it all up in 30 years..butchers!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FLY2 10,108 Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 The demise of the GC route is the greatest redevelopment mistake in the history of civilisation. Whoever was responsible should rot i ........... I'll leave it there before I get too emotional. History will show that it's a monumental error in the extreme. Well it already does! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FLY2 10,108 Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 You can keep your East and West Coast routes and especially the Gas Works Railway. The GC was the ultimate. Had BR not had regional boundaries, then things would have been infinitely different. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 To think we went all the way with army surplus green bike lamps from Wakefield's.. Had to change the red bulbs though,as far as I can recall the track had been lifted..was pretty grotty by the time we climbed out behind that small shop on the island..last time with a paraffin lamp we turned right around and walked back.. Crazy! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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