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The Devon and Somerset Railway tunnels March 2015 ( visited April 2014) | Oblivion State Urban Exploration

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The Devon and Somerset Railway tunnels March 2015 ( visited April 2014)

wellingtonian

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The Devon and Somerset Railway tunnels


The Devon and Somerset a Railway (D&SR) was a cross country line that connected Barnstaple in Devon, to the network of the Bristol and Exeter Railway (B&ER) at Norton Fitzwarren, near Taunton.

It was opened in stages between 1871 and 1873.

The line length was 43 miles and incorporated 2 viaducts at Waterrow and Castle Hill and 4 tunnels.

Running through a rural area, it never achieved great importance, although it carried through services to the seaside resort of Ilfracombe for a period.

The line closed in 1966.

Travelling in a westerly direction from Norton Fitzwarren, the first tunnel is Bathealton Tunnel (440 yards), positioned between the stations of Wiveliscombe and Venn Cross.

The eastern portal

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The stonework had been lined with a concrete plaster at some point. Most of this lining has now failed due to the damp conditions.

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About halfway in and again towards the western portal, are sections that have been reinforced with concrete, leaving egg shaped galvanised tin passages. These would seem to coincide with minor road crossing above.

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Western portal

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The next tunnel, Venn Cross (246 yards) is about the mile up the line. The western portal would see you enter Venn Cross station.

The stonework in here is fairly good and it's reasonably dry underfoot.

Eastern portal

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The next tunnel on the line is Nightcote Tunnel, but at only 44 yards long, it's more of a long bridge, so I've not included it.

Castle Hill tunnel (317yards) is found between the stations of South Molton and Filleigh. It's now in the grounds of a private country estate. This wasn't all bad news, as once I'd found the portal, I was delighted to find a lack of testicle piercing pallaside gates!! :D2:

South portal

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Nice stonework, does get quite wet though.

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Shape changes near the North portal

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North portal

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Really enjoyed checking these out. You can bet your life that blood, sweat and tears, literally, went into the construction.

Props to the guys that blasted and dug them out.

Hope you enjoyed this little report. Thanks for looking.

 
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skeleton key

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That looks a good trek and interesting.

I did wonder what was going on with the western sections being reinforced like that.

Cool share bud (y)

:comp

 

hamtagger

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Interesting read that mate and great pics too, liking that third from last (y)

 

Lenston

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Very nice that mate, well worth the wander, love that Egg shape tunnel, great pics :)

 

wellingtonian

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Thanks for the comments guys. Not an epic by any stretch, but really enjoyed looking at these for for strange reason........

 

shaddam

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Ah nice stuff, cheers =]

 
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