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Patchway Tunnels
<googlemap lat="51.54041" lon="-2.580328"> 51.539342, -2.580585, Patchway Tunnels </googlemap>
To Bristol, the North or London: Gloucester Road
To Wales: Cattybrook Brickworks
History
Patchway Tunnel is a twin bore tunnel that is approached by tracks running on different gradients. They were built this way to allow heavy freight trains coming from the Cardiff direction an easier journey into Bristol.
The line to Cardiff has two tunnels of 1246 and 62 yards in length, while the line to Bristol travels through Patchway New Tunnel (so called because it was added when the line to New Passage Pier was doubled) and is 1760 yards in length.
South Portals
February 2003 & November 2004
A Swansea bound HST dives into the tunnel on a very cold but sunny November morning. The undergrowth at this location was cut back during the summer of 2003
A closer view of the tunnels.
The view from on top of the tunnels looking back at Gloucester Road.
The same view, zoomed out.
26.9.06
Since my last visit the tunnels have undergone major maintenance to improve drainage and prevent embankment slippage. There is also a new fence between the two running tracks.
A closer view. The bore on the right has gained a new plaque.
11.11.08
New signalling in the process of being installed on the approach to the tunnell.
- Patchway Tunnels14.jpg
The Tumps
The area on top of Patchway Tunnels is known as The Tumps. This is basically a strip of land that runs the length of the tunnels and comprises hillocks made from the dumping of spoil from the tunnels themselves. It's a haven for local wildlife.
A rather huge ventilation shaft stands on top of Patchway New Tunnel. You can hear a train pass underneath, then look to the line and see it emerge about 30 seconds later.
North Portals
1960s
A train heads into the tunnel. © Gerald Peacock
February 2003 & November 2004
The down tunnel breaks out first. The line then plunges into another shorter tunnel that takes Over Lane across the railway.
Standing on Over Lane and holding my camera above my head, and above the brambles, to get a glimpse of the line as it disappears towards Wales. The footbridge in the distance is next to Cattybrook Brickworks.
A look back at Patchway Tunnels from the footbridge at Cattybrook Brickworks. The line on the left plunges into the long New Tunnel, while the one on the right bursts out of it's own alignment before passing through a shorter tunnel under Over Lane.
