Stalybridge New Tunnel
Heading for the Eastern portal there are two ways to get there. One option is to drop down into it from the steep muddy slope above clinging onto bits of tree root hoping not to fall down into the river or another option is diverting from the public foot path just below the portal and climbing the up the almost vertical slippery mud hill. Both ways aren’t great and made even more inconvenient when doing so with a 6m telescopic ladder in hand.
The need for the ladder was due to a brick wall around 10ft in height that blocked the width of the portal, presumably built to stop curious passerby’s entering from the park below. The wall itself was just about scalable with the help of fly tipping remnants scattered around and the drop on the other side wouldn’t have been to bad either. The problem was if I dropped down the other side I wouldn’t have anything to help me climb back up and I didn’t know what the western portal looked like, more specifically I didn’t want to drop down only to find a 12ft palisade fence waiting for me on the other side.
Once inside the tunnels short distance is reveled with the far side portal clearly visible, There are some small refuge points along the way and old signage still in situ. Mineralization has formed overtime through the weak points within the brick structure which is common with these old tunnels. The western portal was soon underfoot and noticeable was how loud the road traffic was from this point. A steep climb up a short muddy bank reveled the main road just on the other side of a brick wall with no palisade fence in sight.
History
“Stalybridge New Tunnel located in the small town of Stalybridge Greater Manchester. Is an abandoned railway tunnel that was part of the Woodhead Line and was the first tunnel on the Micklehurst loop. A historic route connecting Manchester and Sheffield. Constructed to alleviate congestion from the older Stalybridge Old Tunnel. The New Tunnel was completed in 1894, featuring a more modern design with improved ventilation and a more efficient track layout. Driven under cocker hill, the new tunnel welcomed eastbound services onto the Micklehurst loop serving the wood heads trans pennine route via Diggle. The Micklehurst loop was originally opened in 1886 to aid congestion on the mainline running to the same locations. It was mainly used for goods traffic to allow passenger trains to maintain efficiency on the mainline. Normally with an issue like this the existing infrastructure would be widened to allow twin tracks to run parallel oblong side each other. However the rugged terrain meant this wasn’t achievable and as a result the Micklehurst loop was born. Stalybridge new tunnel is the first of three tunnels on the Micklehurst loop leaving Stalybridge railway station. The next tunnel being the royal george tunnel on the greenfield/mosley boundary which was 140 yards in length. This tunnel has been filled in at both portals and landscaped since its closure. The final tunnel along its route sitting at 329 yards long is the Butterhouse tunnel.The western portal has long since been filled in but the eastern portal remains open. Constructed of engineering brick with 3 to 6 layers of red brick added for strengthening purposes. All 3 tunnels were fitted with refuges for track workers that would have ceramic plates fitted in them to aid visibility in the dark working conditions.The passenger services on the Micklehurst Loop were discontinued on the 1st of may 1907.The line was then used primarily for freight until it finally closed completely in 1966. Although a short section at the southern end remained in use until 1972 serving the nearby Hartshead power station. Rumours recently circulated of the Micklehurst loop opening once more to again aid congestion on the main pennine route. This has since been dismissed as being unviable so it’s likely this derelict track and its former tunnels will never see use again”.
