RAILSCOT | Penmanshiel Tunnel

Penmanshiel Tunnel

Location type

Tunnel

Name and dates

Penmanshiel Tunnel (1846-1979)

Opened on the North British Railway.

Description

This was a single tunnel, 244m long on the former North British Railway, now the East Coast Main Line.

During upgrade work to increase the clearance for larger containers the tunnel roof collapsed causing the deaths of Peter Fowler and Gordon Turnbull to whom the Penmanshiel Memorial is dedicated.

During the line's closure trains were diverted over the West Coast Main Line via Carlisle.

The tunnel has been sealed and a new alignment has been opened alongside to the south west.

Local

Just to the north of the tunnel, on the new alignment, the Southern Upland Way crosses the line.

External links

Canmore site record
NLS Collection OS map of 1892-1914
NLS Collection OS map of 1944-67

Nearby stations Grantshouse Cockburnspath Innerwick Reston [1st] Reston Chirnside Edrom Crumstane Duns Ayton Eyemouth Dunbar Burnmouth Marchmont East Linton [1st]	Brockholes Bridge Renton Siding Pease Lye Siccar Point Cockburnspath Mail Apparatus Dunglass Viaduct Free Kirk Bridge Houndwood Siding Torness Nuclear Power Station Reston Goods Auchencraw Siding Tourist/other Penmanshiel Memorial Dunglass Collegiate Church Edin^s Hall Broch Cockburn Law Fort
Location names in dark blue are on the same original line.

Chronology Dates

11/08/1948	North British Railway Severe flooding on the 11th and 12th washes away seven bridges and causes six landslips on the East Coast Main Line. Only part of a parapet of the Free Kirk Bridge remained where a single track was left bridging the gap. The Penmanshiel Tunnel floods, with waters reaching almost to the tunnel roof. Large amounts of silt and rubble wash over the line at Grantshouse. With the line closed trains are diverted via Kelso.
23/06/1949	North British Railway At the Penmanshiel Tunnel a fire on board a south bound express results in the destruction of two carriages. After making an emergency stop the leading part of the train, the locomotive and eight coaches, was in the tunnel with the burned carriages just outside. Both lines were blocked and trains diverted via Kelso.
/ /1974	North British Railway With the proposal that 8'6'' containers be accommodated the Penmanshiel Tunnel is examined. There is insufficient clearance and it is proposed that the tunnel floor be lowered.
/ /1978	North British Railway Freightliner Ltd re-proposes alterations to the Penmanshiel Tunnel to allow it to take taller containers 8'6'' high.
20/08/1978	North British Railway Penmanshiel Tunnel examined and its condition was reported in the subsequent inquiry after its collapse: the examination 'revealed no serious defects in the brick lining, although there was some loss of mortar in the joints of the innermost ring and some surface spalling. The general impression was that the brickwork, whilst perfectly sound, was somewhat scabby in appearance and that remedial work should be programmed, to consist of repointing and renewal of spalled areas as necessary: (this work had not in fact been carried out when the collapse occurred). '
21/01/1979	North British Railway Work begins to give more head clearance in the Penmanshiel Tunnel. The ground under the southbound (up line) is dug out to allow the track to be lowered. The northbound (down line) remains in use for both directions to allow the line to remain open.
17/03/1979	North British Railway The Penmanshiel Disaster closes the East Coast Main Line. A 20 metre section of the Penmanshiel Tunnel collapses resulting in the deaths of Peter Fowler and Gordon Turnbull who were working in the tunnel to increase headroom for 8' 6'' high containers. The floor of the tunnel was being dug out and lowered. Diversion of East Coast trains via Carlisle was required. The tunnel was abandoned and sealed. A deviation was to be opened to the west.
07/05/1979	North British Railway Work begins to built a diversion to the immediate west of the Penmanshiel Tunnel. In addition the main road, the A1, is diverted to provide space for the line. The contractor is Sir Robert McAlpine & Sons Ltd.
05/06/1979	Caledonian Railway Cobbinshaw [2nd] (temporary) signal box opened to control northbound line. This provided extra capacity while the East Coast Main Line was closed due to the Penmanshiel Tunnel collapse.
20/08/1979	North British Railway Completion of work to built the deviation to the west of the collapsed Penmanshiel Tunnel.
10/11/1981	Caledonian Railway Cobbinshaw [2nd] (temporary) signal box closed. This had provided extra capacity while the East Coast Main Line was closed due to the Penmanshiel Tunnel collapse.