free hit counter
Morlais Tunnel - Wales - June 14 | Oblivion State Urban Exploration

Post a thread

Post a thread in one of the forums

Browse the forums

Browse threads and contribute to reports

Contact Staff

Contact the team

Morlais Tunnel - Wales - June 14

Lenston

OS Full member
OS Full member
Joined
Jun 5, 2014
Messages
1,668
Reaction score
637
Points
113
Location
Wales
First post for me, im guessing a few will know me from another UE site :)

The Visit




Nice little tunnel this with some good features left, after doing many places with other people recently it made a nice change to do this alone




Some History ( Forgotten Relics )


On 1st January 1873, Dowlais became the western terminus of the London & North Western Railway's branch from Abergavenny, the route having being extended piecemeal since the first section opened to Brynmawr in 1862. The company's next objective was to secure a route into nearby Merthyr Tydfil. Faced with the threat of unwelcome competition from a railway giant, the Brecon & Merthyr Railway accepted the L&NWR's offer of half the original construction costs for a joint stake in its line running around the west side of the town to enter from the south. To make sense of this arrangement, the L&NWR sought Parliamentary approval for a link between its own line at Penywern Junction and the B&M near Vaynor, authority for which was granted in July 1874.

From its northern end, the tunnel curves to the south for 170 yards on a radius of about 14 chains, giving way to a long, straight section. The lining comprises masonry sidewalls - with refuges - and a brick arch. Rows of cable hangers are in situ on the east side, just above springing level.

Soon encountered is a series of five braced iron ribs, fashioned from bullhead rail and standing on stout timber baulks. These were installed to provide support to the lining. Close by is a section of arch where the west-side haunch has been significantly flattened due to ground pressure. A considerable amount of water penetrates the brickwork near this point.

The three shafts remain open, the middle one having lost its original pepperpot which now languishes in the tunnel. Above ground, the protection walls have distinctive battered sides with raised square labels under the top band of brickwork. Above this is a sandstone coping carrying the domed iron grilles. The centre and south-east shafts are Grade II listed.

The stone-built north portal - bedecked in moss and saplings - looks out towards Morlais Tunnel Junction. A long retaining wall supports the west side of the approach cutting; the other has just a short triangular wing wall. The south portal is more striking but has suffered due to the effects of time and vandalism. Its headwall is now consumed by ivy but once featured a stepped parapet with dressed copings; the commemorative datestone is/was centred above the crown of the arch. If it's still there, foliage now obscures it. The face of five brick rings are apparent, with three of these being curved to add attractive architectural detailing. Closed 1958

Some oldies




14428704532_b2a8a794dc_o.jpg
14426660881_3a64834c7a_o.jpg


14406893426_14527c7157_o.jpg





And now




14243558187_d521f45db6_c.jpg
14426651801_8c0107d6b8_c.jpg


14430005325_09c2faefae_c.jpg


14243410190_d4e2e1830a_c.jpg


14428878264_480bd62661_c.jpg


14428877284_285d332663_c.jpg


14243355719_6dc9ed8289_c.jpg


14243551817_301ae6a3ff_c.jpg


14243399438_3e2d614f02_c.jpg


14426645631_0eca005faf_c.jpg



Thanks for looking

 

The_Raw

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Dec 16, 2013
Messages
3,931
Reaction score
2,183
Points
113
Nice first report for a noob :-D Can't say i've heard of you before.... :errr:

 

The_Raw

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Dec 16, 2013
Messages
3,931
Reaction score
2,183
Points
113
Kidding obviously dude, good to see you on here and really nice report (y)

:comp

 

shaddam

O.S Friend AAA
OS Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2013
Messages
2,132
Reaction score
11
Points
38
Oh thats probably one of the best reports ive seen of this place, very nice light !

 

Nelly

O.S Friend AAA
OS Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2011
Messages
1,653
Reaction score
3
Points
38
Epic, but you missed an opportunity for a Mr Bean shot there!!!

 

Lenston

OS Full member
OS Full member
Joined
Jun 5, 2014
Messages
1,668
Reaction score
637
Points
113
Location
Wales
Epic, but you missed an opportunity for a Mr Bean shot there!!!
Thanks all, i have a few mr bean shots so i gave it a miss this time :)

 

The Barracuda

Oblivion State Member
OS Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2013
Messages
36
Reaction score
0
Points
6
Nice one!

I did this about 5 years ago now. Even with 3 separate 6v portable light units and a LED Maglight it would have been better illuminated by a candle in my case. That place just swallows light!

Great pictures BTW.

 

Lara

Full Member
OS Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2013
Messages
2,157
Reaction score
43
Points
48
Nice report that, and welcome :)

 

Ryda

Oblivion State Member
OS Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2008
Messages
140
Reaction score
2
Points
18
Location
Dover
I haven't logged in years, but I felt compelled to, just to comment on how good the light rays are in these shots, so so nice!

 

Lenston

OS Full member
OS Full member
Joined
Jun 5, 2014
Messages
1,668
Reaction score
637
Points
113
Location
Wales
I haven't logged in years, but I felt compelled to, just to comment on how good the light rays are in these shots, so so nice!
Thanks mate

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Top