I used to work for British Rail and often worked nights. We finished around 2 am and had no transport to get Home and only 50 p in my pocket I decided to walk the track home. It was ok until I got to a tunnel. I decided to walk the Tunnel in the dark without a torch. Feeling every step along the way, trying to avoid all the drains and traps along the way. I eventually emerged back into the Moonlight with a sigh of relieve. another couple of hundred yards along the track I came across another Tunnel which I knew to be longer than the last one, and I thought Fuck that and climbed over a fence and back onto the road. I am now a 70-year-old Bricklayer and am still fascinated by the skills and workmanship of the Guys who built these wonders of engineering.
Great story Denis, must have been scary in the dark, I have a bug torch and several more as back up, did not want to get caught out with no light, amazing places, all the best Pat
I got rid of my TV 3 months ago, saving myself £150 + every year on the diabolical BBC TV Licence, and can now watch great video's like this and many more at my leisure for FREE. Thanks Patrick, great stuff and you sound so much like Geoffrey Boycott lol
DavidVI that fence is the scariest thing about the tunnel. I don’t know if it’s sharpened or not but it looks like it would shred your insides if you fell on it😬
Very enjoyable half an hour I'm 66 now but when watching Patrick videos I'm transported back to when I was a nipper exploring and just enjoying ourselves thanks Patrick
@@chriszinck1267 no he did reply to me in a previous video that when he films himself climbing a fence or climbing up rocks in a stream etc he then has to go back to get his camera. I admit I would be lazy and film myself just climbing the ladder and then cut the video showing me the other side. Respect to Patrick for the effort he puts in.
Yes Steve some impressive brickwork, all layed by hand, very little gear, just a man and his skills, and it's still here today, built to last, all the best Pat
Light painted photos are stunning. Never thought brickwork in a railway tunnel could be so beautiful. Addictive viewing, thanks for all the effort in making it and sharing.
Thanks yes the photos from light painting on the brick work is pure artwork to me, surprises me each time the images are revealed on the computer, thanks Pat
You sir, are one the most agile, and creative people I have ever seen. Your enthusiasm is delightful.REALLY??? A ladder in a bag??? The photography is stunning. I'd say well worth selling.Absolutely brilliant!!!!! Still it is a terrible waste that such a magnificent place is concealed from public use.Another grand tour. Thank you for taking us along.If I ever get over to Britain, I'd love to have a pint with you. Cheers from Edmonton Canada.
Hi Christopher, nice to hear from you, I dare say winter is it too far away for you, we hardly get any snow now which I miss for camping. It was a amazing tunnel, longest I have ever done, all the best Pat
Totally agree with you. Admirable gent. My adult son commented that the ladder was one of those “cartoon ladders”😂I lifted one in a store recently, expecting it to be a lightweight- it was heavy! Pat has muscle as well as imagination and talent.
@@patrickdickinson6492 You definitely took a risk with those razor wire baffles. Personally i would have been tempted to cut off the locks with a bolt cropper and replaced them with new ones after my unofficial visit. This would have been frustrating for the site manager when their keys did not fit but hardly considered vandalism if left as you found it. I noticed you had an hairy moment with that ladder retrieval line? Drop that and would have been stuck in there.
Wow. Brilliant stuff Patrick, go careful and stay safe! Massively appreciate what you have done to produce this from a behind the scenes perspective. Kudos Sir.
You've worked with Martin Zero, now it's time to work with the Yorkshire genius, Mr. Dickinson! Have a look at his Haddon Tunnel video (on the Matlock to Buxton part of the old Midland Line from St. Pancras ) ref Monsal Trail. He'd help you with your abandoned stations quest....
Thanks appreciate your comments, I know you realise the effort that goes into producing these vidios, but it's great fun and the comments make it all worthwhile, all the best Pat
Yes this is an amazing tunnel and you my friend are an amazing human being. Your skills in narration, photography and videography are astounding. This video tops them all... I thank you very much.
Hi Patrick, great video again, Lots of respect for what you do. The letters DfT stand for Dept for Transport, as they are now 'responsible' for the remaining railway bridges, tunnels etc. They are now causing uproar as they think its ok to go around the country destroying whats left of these railway structures by filling them in and burying them in concrete
Patrick, I watch all your video's. I've just watched the start of this one, you getting your adrenaline going climbing that fence. I was brought up in this village, used to live in the Railway cottages near to the west entrance. I've walked through that tunnel many a time as a kid, scaring and scared by my mates, any also any girls we could coax along, great days in the 1970's. I'll watch and enjoy the rest of the video over the weekend,,,,really looking forward to it,,,,thanks very much for posting
When we walked it as kids we didn't take any touches, it was never really a planned trip, we were just out playing for the day, and someone would suggest going "down the tunnies". I always remember there being a lot more rubble underfoot. The security fence wasn't up then and kids always walked through. As our eyes got used to the dark we found our way , each ventilation shaft was found by a huge pile of rocks to climb over. we didn't , know about the shafts at the time (or never put two and two together). The pile of rocks was created by kids dropping stuff through the shafts from the woodland above, over time a mountain of rock was deposited in the tunnel. looking from the start, we could never see the far end of light in the distance, the three mountains were in the way. but as we progressed in the dark the end cam in sight, and then we would spend an hour or so at the A1 service station getting up to mischief before we headed back.....
Enjoyed seeing your photos Pat, the brickwork looks fantastic with all the colours. It'll take more than that fence to keep you out. Thanks for making the effort to entertain us all.
*confronted by anti climb measures*.... Simply pulls ladder out of bag and hops over as planned. Great video, thank you Patrick. Amazing place to explore and well researched. Your enthusiasm shows through and makes for very interesting content.
As has been said many times already, great videography, informative and great use of the ‘lost’ art of light painting. I used to do a lot of light painting, particularly of churches at night, I must get out and do some more. Thank you.
I can see how you go all out with these videos single handed it is an enormous amount of work. When I first saw one of your videos I thought you had a helper. Just incredible!
Amazing Patrick well done and thank you for sharing this interesting vid. I share your appreciation of the excellent construction of these magnificent achievements too. I admire your nerve and determination as well all the best to you and keep safe on your great explorations. Once again thanks and well done.
Brilliant Patrick!! absolutely love watching your disused railway tunnel videos, always amazes me how they built these back in the day no machinery hardly back then& they took so much pride in their work!! Keep up the brilliant videos Patrick!!
Well done you, one of the biggest problems in this world is too many fences. We all used to go exploring when we were young it is great fun. Never stop.
Hi Patrick You’re certainly one ‘determined trekker’. These places truly deserve to be appreciated, they are, in effect ‘Cathedrals of our Industrial Age’, so many thanks for taking extreme trouble to share them with us. Those nameless navvies of the 19th century are indeed honoured by your presence, their efforts and workmanship would otherwise be lost in solitary darkness and isolation forever. Great photos and the respect for their craft is palpable in your commentary. The fact that you photograph and retrace your steps to collect your gear demonstrates your determination to show these monuments of brick and stone. Cheers
Your videos are extremely relaxing and informative. I discovered you with the Lady Bower Reservoir videos. Then got sucked into your wild camp and shed pub videos. Cheers and have a wonderful fall/winter!! 👍
@@patrickdickinson6492 to be honest I'm only an early bird because of post surgical problems in my lower back. My hours are random. But I do enjoy a quiet early start to my day. Are there any mines out there that people explore.
All the those builders laying thousands of bricks one at a time and the cutting of the tunnel in those days just amazing. Great presentation and camera work your a gem.
Thanks for your reply. When I did my City and Guilds in the early 90’s a tutor at college would go off subject talking about old architecture and brickwork I was so engrossed with this which is why I see the skill of past brickwork-man-ship. Your light paintings really show this and the grand entrances of the tunnel just amazing.
Another fantastic video, Thank you Pat, for sharing your explorations, magnificent pictures, and yes the vent. shafts are a work of art. keep up the good work.. looking forwards to more..
Pat your a legend! I came across you as am into camping but then saw this video and you took me right back to my childhood.. I lived in upton and every sunday in the mid 70's me my cousins and uncles and aunts would walk through what we called the Tunnies...no security then ..dont no if you remember there was a glass bridge over the a1 so you could get to the trust house 40 services and had a pot of tea...all exiting stuff as a kid..last time we went through was 10 years ago to celebrate my sister's 40th as we have found memories of that there tunnel..anyway keep up the fantastic stuff your putting on here fella.
Hi and yes several people from Upton have said how they walked through the tunnel, played in it as kids etc, such a pity it was closed and security fence put up. Pleased it brought back memories, all the best Pat
You really need to do more of these exploration vids Pat. Just watched this for about the tenth time and it's still more entertaining than anything on the TV!
Hi Gary yes this was an amazing place to explore and luckily not too far from home, that is my main problem, no more local places to explore, may find some one at, thought going to stick with wild camping for time being........ thanks Pat
Gotta love the collapsible ladder! 🤣 The Daily Mail's UK next headliner "Man brings his own ladder to scale security fence in order to photograph historic tunnel". I still think that you should do an exhibition of all your great photography, or do a book with all of your photographs. Another great exploring video, Patrick!
That was very interesting, I liked the way you pulled that ladder out the bag like a magician, you made light work of all there fences. Thanks for the tour, be safe. Regards Chris
Those portals are incredible, so ornate, and the standard of the brickwork inside the tunnel is also beautifully done. It never ceases to amaze me the pride and skill, Victorian tradesmen possessed, when it came to building anything, from small outhouses to those incredible, giant viaducts on certain railway lines. You can tell they actually took pride in the work by the fact that even their brickwork, in dark places, only a handfull of people would ever see, looks amazing. Its just a shame so many of these beautiful things have been demolished or lay abandoned and mostly forgotten, hidden away, either in the middle of nowhere or sometimes right under our noses, and we just don't know about it or, in some peoples cases, just don't care. Alas, its all about profit today. When you look about today, here in London, and see some of the monstrosities being built, and see what was there before, it makes you cringe. I'm not saying i don't like modern architecture, because in msny cases i do, but some of these new buildings are just plain ugly and charecterless. Its a shame.
Hi Matthew yes agree, these Victorian Engineered masterpieces are we will never see again, cheaper to throw up a modern building that might last 50 gears, not that thee is anything we can do, but we can search out the ones we already have, all the best Pat
Yet another example of important Victorian infrastructure so irresponsibly tossed away. I'm certain many of these abandoned railway lines would be of great use to us in the 21st century. Thank you for all the effort you put into producing this fascinating video.
Thanks Pat. Loved the opening as you walked up, the ladder gag awesome. Most of all, wonderful photography showing those beautiful colours. Thanks for sharing your explore.
Another excellent video, many thanks. Had me laughing when you pulled the ladder out too. Can't imagine many people enjoy their retirement as much as you do yours...
Department for Transport. FYI to support your channel, you should do guided tours. I would be there in a flash. If I only had the time to do what you do. Keep up the amazing videos. Thank you
Great upload Patrick,walked this tunnel dozens of times and by God they have put up one hell of a fence now as all the previous ones were broken through ,a Network Rail friend of mine who does safety inspections on these things says it is in 9/10 condition and if needs be could be re-opened quite easily ,i have walked through all the tunnels on the HBR ,including Brierley as used to play in there as a kid lol,the small holes in the caps we used to drop bangers down then and the sound was amazing lol,this is THE BEST upload of Barnie ever
It's almost as if they didn't want you to climb over those walls :-) That's a handy ladder you got. It's kinda sad that great places like that are just blocked and left to decay. The amount of work and skill it took to build that is unimaginable these days.
We used to go there all the time as kids. Good memories! I had a walk up a few week ago as i still live local. Everytime i see the western portal through the trees it still amazes me. Great video
Hi Pat, just a fab video, what you should have added, can you just imagine what the tunnel would have looked like when they first opened it, the color of the brick work, unsooted, how clear the canopies round the ventilation shafts would have been, ,,yes, i to love looking @ brickwork, 96 yards short of 3/4 mile, it keeps you fit all the walking, ..... & climbing, the entre to the tunnel are fabulous , looking forward to you next video, take care, Chas, Brum.
Thanks Chas, was a amazing day, best explore to date, and the longest. Climbing the fence, which I did several times, certainly got some adrenaline flowing, all of the best Pat
DfT does indeed stand for Department for Transport. When British Rail was privatised, disused railway infrastructure such and tunnels and viaducts passed to an organisation known as British Rail Residuary. When that organisation was disbanded, infrastructure passed to organisations such as local councils or Highways Agency
Hi Patrick, what a great video, I love the way you circumnavigated the security measures, more people like you in this country will be great again! Keep up the good work and many thanks
We are so lucky to have someone like you discovering and documenting these pieces of our local history and heritage that we'd otherwise never get to see. Your videos are always fascinating. Maybe Norwood Tunnel one day - most of the eastern end is still good so I hear.
Yes that’s the one. Periodically they open it up for inspection by canoe. It might be one where you need permission as its bricked up otherwise. But would be insanely interesting as would so of the other canal tunnels
There was a guy who used to run marathons in Wellingtons (or what we call gum boots). If my memory is correct I think it was an Australian called Cliff Young.
Only found you yesterday.... I admire your passion and appreciation of what went in to building these things, love all the sneaking around too!! You are a legend Patrick, thanks for these great videos and fantastic stills. Go safely and keep up the great work.
Hi Mark and thanks for the kind comments, hope you find my chanel interesting, quite varied with exploration, wild camping and anything that I,am interested in which can vary. Looks like the next few videos will becoming from the garden, all the best Pat
this is a brilliant video, the determination you have to do what you done with the camera shots, with the ladder and climbing over, thankyou for your effort
3:15 Naah, the top surface of the 'camera' is flat and has a small solar panel. There is the option to fit a couple of AA rechargeables inside to keep it flashing after sunset. I've installed these at sites where a basic 'security' presence is required...
This is the first one of your videos that I have seen and I enjoyed it immensely , also very informative . I’ll have to add you to my list of favourites .
Brilliant Patrick. I. Not been down the tunnys for years used to play down there as a kid walk all the way to a1 get a drink and walk back. Cheers for the memories
A great and interesting video. The quality of the original brickwork is breathtaking, love the vent shaft's the detail at the bottom is fantastic. The beauty of the portals almost demand an explore.
@@patrickdickinson6492 You are very welcome Pat, i could see the excitement and hear it in your voice. i wish there were more here like that to explorer. but most of what we have here has been intentionally collapsed or back-filled to prevent exploration. You and Martin (Zero) should do a collaboration video together, it would be epic.
Amazing attention to detail. Resulting in an awesome record of an otherwise historically forgotten location. Superb examples of the laborious task solo filming presents. Well done on another outstanding video.
Patrick, just love your videos. Someting so pure and innocent in your movies, even if you are breaking multiple laws! Would rather watch your films than 99.9% of what is currently shown on TV. Thank you for the enjoyment and pleasure your vid's bring. May you continue to do so for many, many years to come.
amazing tunnel and i bet it's still there in another 100 years fantastic pictures as always your videos are second to none and very professional loved it.
The collapsible ladder had me chucking you rebel 😁 Wonderful explore, I share your appreciation for these wonderful constructions that are true time capsules and would never be seen again without people like yourself. As others have said wonderful pictures. Thanks for sharing with us like minded individuals. Really love your channel 👍🏻
Great explore and photos Pat! I was so absorbed that 36 minutes went by like 3......actually felt relieved to see you make it over the fence and get out.
Thanks Jane, some of my best, the ventilation shafts look fantastic, all taken by long, 60+ second exposure and light painting with a powerful torch, thanks Pat
Before it was blocked my friends and I walked the standege tunnel , we were school kids but it was a great day out . 👳 This is great Patrick and some hardcore fence climbing approach too .
Excellent vid Pat. I do love a railway tunnel and you do some of the best vids on them. As to the soot, it will usually be more pronounced on the rising gradient line. Any opportunity to close the regulator in a tunnel on a steam loco will be a mercy! Footplate crews could sometimes be overcome by exhaust fumes on a rising gradient in a single bore tunnel. Twin track tunnels like this one presented less of an ordeal, but still provided a fair simulation of Hades. Thank you sir.
Thanks Pat ! I knew this was going to be interesting as soon as I saw the Entrance.... Great piece of architecture. The brickwork is stunning. Cheers Roj
Fantastic video Patrick thank you for sharing your passion. Amazing brickwork given the time that the tunnel was built still in amazing condition. Makes me want to go find some hidden tunnels in my neck of the woods. Cheers keep up the good work!
Wow pat a other grate video I have to say a big thank for letting us see these work of art I would never get the opportunity to see them keep up the grate work and be safe a big 10 out of 10,,
Hi Pat, Amazing stuff mate, you certainly are intrepid and nothing seems to phase you, even that fence you managed to scale which would have deterred a lot of people and what a location! Well done mate! Regards George
I used to work for British Rail and often worked nights. We finished around 2 am and had no transport to get Home and only 50 p in my pocket I decided to walk the track home. It was ok until I got to a tunnel. I decided to walk the Tunnel in the dark without a torch. Feeling every step along the way, trying to avoid all the drains and traps along the way. I eventually emerged back into the Moonlight with a sigh of relieve. another couple of hundred yards along the track I came across another Tunnel which I knew to be longer than the last one, and I thought Fuck that and climbed over a fence and back onto the road. I am now a 70-year-old Bricklayer and am still fascinated by the skills and workmanship of the Guys who built these wonders of engineering.
Great story Denis, must have been scary in the dark, I have a bug torch and several more as back up, did not want to get caught out with no light, amazing places, all the best Pat
wow, great story. you've certainly got more bottle than me, & glad you made it through that tunnel safely
This is a great little creative writing piece, I want to read more.
These videos are better than 99% of stuff on the telly. Educational, fun, interesting and marvellously filmed and edited. Great stuff!
Glad you enjoyed it thanks Pat
I got rid of my TV 3 months ago, saving myself £150 + every year on the diabolical BBC TV Licence, and can now watch great video's like this and many more at my leisure for FREE. Thanks Patrick, great stuff and you sound so much like Geoffrey Boycott lol
@@DinseeNuffin What does BBC stand for? Just kiddin!
I did the same in March,, only watching it on a Sunday for a couple of progs till then, waste of money, total rip off.dont ,mss it one bit.
Totally agree! The amount of work Patrick puts into all his videos is phenomenal.
to get some of the camera shots Pat has to do the same thing twice to retrieve the camera. great effort brilliant video.
Yes alot of backwards and forwards and climbed that fence several times but worth it for the finished results, thanks Pat
He definitely puts the effort in, and it shows.
@@patrickdickinson6492 department for transport
Always amazes me what effort Pat goes to. Especially considering that fence!
DavidVI that fence is the scariest thing about the tunnel. I don’t know if it’s sharpened or not but it looks like it would shred your insides if you fell on it😬
Very enjoyable half an hour I'm 66 now but when watching Patrick videos I'm transported back to when I was a nipper exploring and just enjoying ourselves thanks Patrick
Them were the days Ged, every day was a new adventure, that is what I,am trying to do now, thanks Pat
I wonder how many appreciate that when Patrick climbs over the fence and pulls the ladder over he then has to climb back over to get his camera.
@@chriszinck1267 no he did reply to me in a previous video that when he films himself climbing a fence or climbing up rocks in a stream etc he then has to go back to get his camera. I admit I would be lazy and film myself just climbing the ladder and then cut the video showing me the other side. Respect to Patrick for the effort he puts in.
Yes your right I climbed the fence many times, sometimes the footage is just not right, so it has to be done again, all the best Pat
Chris Zinck
No you really wouldn’t leave a camera alone in that area !!!!!!
One slip..... Mincemeat
I thought someone else was filming him
An old Bricklayer here and I agree with you that is some fine work and engineering , i just try to imagine back 138 years , wow . Thank you again
Yes Steve some impressive brickwork, all layed by hand, very little gear, just a man and his skills, and it's still here today, built to last, all the best Pat
@@patrickdickinson6492 Thanks for you're quick reply , I'm in LA ,CA and my friend in France follows you also , small world
Light painted photos are stunning. Never thought brickwork in a railway tunnel could be so beautiful. Addictive viewing, thanks for all the effort in making it and sharing.
Thanks yes the photos from light painting on the brick work is pure artwork to me, surprises me each time the images are revealed on the computer, thanks Pat
You sir, are one the most agile, and creative people I have ever seen. Your enthusiasm is delightful.REALLY??? A ladder in a bag??? The photography is stunning. I'd say well worth selling.Absolutely brilliant!!!!! Still it is a terrible waste that such a magnificent place is concealed from public use.Another grand tour. Thank you for taking us along.If I ever get over to Britain, I'd love to have a pint with you. Cheers from Edmonton Canada.
Hi Christopher, nice to hear from you, I dare say winter is it too far away for you, we hardly get any snow now which I miss for camping.
It was a amazing tunnel, longest I have ever done, all the best Pat
Totally agree with you. Admirable gent. My adult son commented that the ladder was one of those “cartoon ladders”😂I lifted one in a store recently, expecting it to be a lightweight- it was heavy! Pat has muscle as well as imagination and talent.
Love this Patrick! you producing a ladder out of the bag had me laughing :-) great video mate. regards.
Now I know who to call if I ever need to break out of jail. All he'd need to do is figure out how to bake the ladder into a cake and Bob's your uncle.
Amazing it of kit, and made getting over so easy, thanks Pat
Next time he make it appear out of this hat ...lol
@@patrickdickinson6492 You definitely took a risk with those razor wire baffles. Personally i would have been tempted to cut off the locks with a bolt cropper and replaced them with new ones after my unofficial visit. This would have been frustrating for the site manager when their keys did not fit but hardly considered vandalism if left as you found it. I noticed you had an hairy moment with that ladder retrieval line? Drop that and would have been stuck in there.
Wow. Brilliant stuff Patrick, go careful and stay safe! Massively appreciate what you have done to produce this from a behind the scenes perspective. Kudos Sir.
You've worked with Martin Zero, now it's time to work with the Yorkshire genius, Mr. Dickinson!
Have a look at his Haddon Tunnel video (on the Matlock to Buxton part of the old Midland Line from St. Pancras ) ref Monsal Trail. He'd help you with your abandoned stations quest....
@@666palerider cheers. Will do.
Thanks appreciate your comments, I know you realise the effort that goes into producing these vidios, but it's great fun and the comments make it all worthwhile, all the best Pat
Yes this is an amazing tunnel and you my friend are an amazing human being. Your skills in narration, photography and videography are astounding. This video tops them all... I thank you very much.
Thank you for those very kind comments, must admit it was amazing tunnel, all the best Pat
Hi Patrick, great video again,
Lots of respect for what you do.
The letters DfT stand for Dept for Transport, as they are now 'responsible' for the remaining railway bridges, tunnels etc.
They are now causing uproar as they think its ok to go around the country destroying whats left of these railway structures by filling them in and burying them in concrete
Patrick, I watch all your video's. I've just watched the start of this one, you getting your adrenaline going climbing that fence. I was brought up in this village, used to live in the Railway cottages near to the west entrance. I've walked through that tunnel many a time as a kid, scaring and scared by my mates, any also any girls we could coax along, great days in the 1970's. I'll watch and enjoy the rest of the video over the weekend,,,,really looking forward to it,,,,thanks very much for posting
Hi Kev great to hear from someone who lived there, hope it B brough back memories of your teenage years, great comments, thanks Pat
When we walked it as kids we didn't take any touches, it was never really a planned trip, we were just out playing for the day, and someone would suggest going "down the tunnies".
I always remember there being a lot more rubble underfoot. The security fence wasn't up then and kids always walked through.
As our eyes got used to the dark we found our way , each ventilation shaft was found by a huge pile of rocks to climb over.
we didn't , know about the shafts at the time (or never put two and two together). The pile of rocks was created by kids dropping stuff through the shafts from the woodland above, over time a mountain of rock was deposited in the tunnel.
looking from the start, we could never see the far end of light in the distance, the three mountains were in the way. but as we progressed in the dark the end cam in sight, and then we would spend an hour or so at the A1 service station getting up to mischief before we headed back.....
Honestly one of the best channels on UA-cam, love the trouble you go to to get the shot. 12ft security fence...... no problem!
Enjoyed seeing your photos Pat, the brickwork looks fantastic with all the colours. It'll take more than that fence to keep you out. Thanks for making the effort to entertain us all.
Thanks John, the ventilation shafts were amazing, best photos I,ve ever got, thanks Pat
The light painting really does bring out all the magnificent colours ..
Excellent video once again pat.
Keep em coming
Yes probably the first time such detail of the tunnel has been revealed, thanks Pat
Thanks for bringing us along on this brilliant journey. Excellent video. I love your ingenuity too. Be careful my friend 👍🏻
*confronted by anti climb measures*....
Simply pulls ladder out of bag and hops over as planned.
Great video, thank you Patrick. Amazing place to explore and well researched. Your enthusiasm shows through and makes for very interesting content.
Yes never go anywhere without a ladder concealed about my person, haha, all the best Pat
As has been said many times already, great videography, informative and great use of the ‘lost’ art of light painting. I used to do a lot of light painting, particularly of churches at night, I must get out and do some more. Thank you.
Thanks Richard, the detail on the light painted photos amazed me when I put them on the computer, .....Pat
I can see how you go all out with these videos single handed it is an enormous amount of work. When I first saw one of your videos I thought you had a helper. Just incredible!
Yes takes a bit more planning, and thinking how am I going to film it, but I like the challenge, all the best Pat
Can we all pause to appreciate that Pat bravely climbed over this deadly fence twice, and then twice again to retrieve his camera.
And probably more, when it all goes wrong or I mess up my words...... thanks Pat
Always the best 30mins viewing of my life.
Kind of you to say Ross, all the best Pat
I hadn’t seen this Patrick. I was just singing your praises to my son and just had to show him your urban exploring.Top notch!
Such amazing brickwork Terry, best example of a Victorian railway tunnel I have seen.....just beautiful........thanks Pat
Amazing Patrick well done and thank you for sharing this interesting vid. I share your appreciation of the excellent construction of these magnificent achievements too. I admire your nerve and determination as well all the best to you and keep safe on your great explorations. Once again thanks and well done.
Thanks Nicholas, could,nt belive the detail on the photos, thanks Pat
Brilliant Patrick!! absolutely love watching your disused railway tunnel videos, always amazes me how they built these back in the day no machinery hardly back then& they took so much pride in their work!! Keep up the brilliant videos Patrick!!
Thanks Philip, all built by hand, you wonder how they did it, no electric, no lighting just manual labour, mall the best for the New Year, thanks Pat
Nice one Patrick, brilliant video you take care.
Thanks Frank, amazing tunnel this one, thanks Pat
Well done you, one of the biggest problems in this world is too many fences. We all used to go exploring when we were young it is great fun. Never stop.
Thanks for the comments, your so right, all the best Pat
Hi Patrick
You’re certainly one ‘determined trekker’. These places truly deserve to be appreciated, they are, in effect ‘Cathedrals of our Industrial Age’, so many thanks for taking extreme trouble to share them with us. Those nameless navvies of the 19th century are indeed honoured by your presence, their efforts and workmanship would otherwise be lost in solitary darkness and isolation forever. Great photos and the respect for their craft is palpable in your commentary. The fact that you photograph and retrace your steps to collect your gear demonstrates your determination to show these monuments of brick and stone. Cheers
What a wonderful heartfelt reply*so lovely :-) sending best wishes from Scotland
@@nseight - Enthusiasm goes a long way for me and Patrick has it in 'bucket loads' - Credit where credit's due.
@@evanofelipe :-) *
Hi, I'm Christina Burton female rail fanatic and cannot thank you enough for you video! Keep them coming.
Hi Christina, so kind of you to say, best one I,ve been in, the ventilation shafts did it for me, amazing, thanks Pat
Hi Patrick, Christina here, have you seen the ventilation shafts on the Northampton to Market Harborough line via Kelmarsh?,
Thanks Patrick.. another great video and a fascinating tunnel, also pleasure to watch mate!
Thanks Andy, glad you enjoyed it thanks Pat
Your videos are extremely relaxing and informative. I discovered you with the Lady Bower Reservoir videos. Then got sucked into your wild camp and shed pub videos. Cheers and have a wonderful fall/winter!! 👍
Glad your enjoying my videos Marshal, got a few wild camps planned for the coming months, all the best Pat
It's 5:15AM in Connecticut! I should be sleeping. But nope. I just watched your entire video. It was worth it. Thanks for sharing your passion.
Yes I, am a early bird like yourself, best time of the day, thanks for the comments, thanks Pat
@@patrickdickinson6492 to be honest I'm only an early bird because of post surgical problems in my lower back. My hours are random. But I do enjoy a quiet early start to my day.
Are there any mines out there that people explore.
All the those builders laying thousands of bricks one at a time and the cutting of the tunnel in those days just amazing. Great presentation and camera work your a gem.
Thanks yes unbelievable what and how they built it, hats off to them, thanks Pat
Thanks for your reply. When I did my City and Guilds in the early 90’s a tutor at college would go off subject talking about old architecture and brickwork I was so engrossed with this which is why I see the skill of past brickwork-man-ship. Your light paintings really show this and the grand entrances of the tunnel just amazing.
The shaft signs, DfT - Department for Transport
Another fantastic video, Thank you Pat, for sharing your explorations, magnificent pictures, and yes the vent. shafts are a work of art. keep up the good work.. looking forwards to more..
Thanks Ronald, beautiful just beautiful, all the best Pat
Handy that you had a folding ladder with you!! Another great production Pat. Good that you do these explores - so the rest of us don't have to.
Thanks Philip ladder was really useful, made getting in so easy, thanks Pat
Pat your a legend!
I came across you as am into camping but then saw this video and you took me right back to my childhood.. I lived in upton and every sunday in the mid 70's me my cousins and uncles and aunts would walk through what we called the Tunnies...no security then ..dont no if you remember there was a glass bridge over the a1 so you could get to the trust house 40 services and had a pot of tea...all exiting stuff as a kid..last time we went through was 10 years ago to celebrate my sister's 40th as we have found memories of that there tunnel..anyway keep up the fantastic stuff your putting on here fella.
Hi and yes several people from Upton have said how they walked through the tunnel, played in it as kids etc, such a pity it was closed and security fence put up.
Pleased it brought back memories, all the best Pat
Excellent film.. You are a true explorer!
Thanks Keith, appreciate your comments thanks Pat
You really need to do more of these exploration vids Pat. Just watched this for about the tenth time and it's still more entertaining than anything on the TV!
Hi Gary yes this was an amazing place to explore and luckily not too far from home, that is my main problem, no more local places to explore, may find some one at, thought going to stick with wild camping for time being........ thanks Pat
Gotta love the collapsible ladder! 🤣 The Daily Mail's UK next headliner "Man brings his own ladder to scale security fence in order to photograph historic tunnel". I still think that you should do an exhibition of all your great photography, or do a book with all of your photographs. Another great exploring video, Patrick!
Thanks, the photographs worked out better than I could of imagined, and the ladder made it so easy to get in, all the best Pat
That was very interesting, I liked the way you pulled that ladder out the bag like a magician, you made light work of all there fences. Thanks for the tour, be safe.
Regards
Chris
Will be Chris, all the best Pat
Those portals are incredible, so ornate, and the standard of the brickwork inside the tunnel is also beautifully done. It never ceases to amaze me the pride and skill, Victorian tradesmen possessed, when it came to building anything, from small outhouses to those incredible, giant viaducts on certain railway lines. You can tell they actually took pride in the work by the fact that even their brickwork, in dark places, only a handfull of people would ever see, looks amazing. Its just a shame so many of these beautiful things have been demolished or lay abandoned and mostly forgotten, hidden away, either in the middle of nowhere or sometimes right under our noses, and we just don't know about it or, in some peoples cases, just don't care. Alas, its all about profit today. When you look about today, here in London, and see some of the monstrosities being built, and see what was there before, it makes you cringe. I'm not saying i don't like modern architecture, because in msny cases i do, but some of these new buildings are just plain ugly and charecterless. Its a shame.
Hi Matthew yes agree, these Victorian Engineered masterpieces are we will never see again, cheaper to throw up a modern building that might last 50 gears, not that thee is anything we can do, but we can search out the ones we already have, all the best Pat
Yet another example of important Victorian infrastructure so irresponsibly tossed away. I'm certain many of these abandoned railway lines would be of great use to us in the 21st century. Thank you for all the effort you put into producing this fascinating video.
It just further confirms that the country has been miss managed for a very long time.
Thanks appreciate your comments and I feel the same, such a waste, thanks Pat
That was an epic entrance into that tunnel Pat. You never fail to make me smile. Well done again on another great video . Johnny :)
Thanks Johnny, looked a bit impossible at first, but the ladder soon sorted it, thanks Pat
Thanks Pat. Loved the opening as you walked up, the ladder gag awesome. Most of all, wonderful photography showing those beautiful colours. Thanks for sharing your explore.
Thanks Lee, shows the tunnel up probably for the first time in its life, thanks Pat
the soot from the trains is still there, very cool!
Another excellent video, many thanks. Had me laughing when you pulled the ladder out too. Can't imagine many people enjoy their retirement as much as you do yours...
Very useful that ladder, retirement is going quick, trying to cram as much as possible in as I can, all the best Pat
Department for Transport. FYI to support your channel, you should do guided tours. I would be there in a flash. If I only had the time to do what you do. Keep up the amazing videos. Thank you
Hi Dominic yes it will be, guided tours would be interesting but like work again, enjoying my retirement too much, thanks Pat
Great upload Patrick,walked this tunnel dozens of times and by God they have put up one hell of a fence now as all the previous ones were broken through ,a Network Rail friend of mine who does safety inspections on these things says it is in 9/10 condition and if needs be could be re-opened quite easily ,i have walked through all the tunnels on the HBR ,including Brierley as used to play in there as a kid lol,the small holes in the caps we used to drop bangers down then and the sound was amazing lol,this is THE BEST upload of Barnie ever
Thanks this is only one done in the area, fantastic tunnel, great if they could open it again, even jusy for people to walk through, all the best Pat
It's almost as if they didn't want you to climb over those walls :-) That's a handy ladder you got. It's kinda sad that great places like that are just blocked and left to decay. The amount of work and skill it took to build that is unimaginable these days.
Yes ladder really useful, made getting in easy, thanks Pat
Excellent explore Patrick, glad you got in and out unscathed, wonderful light painting photography, Thank you for taking us with you. ATB :)
Thanks, great fun this one, thanks Pat
Love the video Pat . So professionally presented. You do deserve your own tv show.
I hope you got permission this time . Lol 😉👍
No permission, they would never grant it, have ladder an go anywhere, thanks Pat
We used to go there all the time as kids. Good memories!
I had a walk up a few week ago as i still live local. Everytime i see the western portal through the trees it still amazes me.
Great video
Hi Thomas, hope it brought back some happy memories, all the best Pat
Didn't expect the ladder 😂 Good on ya mate!
Thanks for that, certainly made getting over the fence easy, thanks Pat
Hi Pat, just a fab video, what you should have added, can you just imagine what the tunnel would have looked like when they first opened it, the color of the brick work, unsooted, how clear the canopies round the ventilation shafts would have been, ,,yes, i to love looking @ brickwork, 96 yards short of 3/4 mile, it keeps you fit all the walking, ..... & climbing, the entre to the tunnel are fabulous , looking forward to you next video, take care, Chas, Brum.
Thanks Chas, was a amazing day, best explore to date, and the longest. Climbing the fence, which I did several times, certainly got some adrenaline flowing, all of the best Pat
Fantastic. A new exploring vid, and it's to an abandoned rail tunnel. And, DfT stands for Department for Transport.
Thanks for the info and glad you enjoyed it, thanks Pat
DfT does indeed stand for Department for Transport. When British Rail was privatised, disused railway infrastructure such and tunnels and viaducts passed to an organisation known as British Rail Residuary. When that organisation was disbanded, infrastructure passed to organisations such as local councils or Highways Agency
Hi Patrick, what a great video, I love the way you circumnavigated the security measures, more people like you in this country will be great again! Keep up the good work and many thanks
Thanks Peter, best part was climbing over that fence, all the best Pat
This is near my son's house in upton. Always wanted to explore this tunnel....nice one 👍👍
Thanks, I parked on the outskirts of Upton and then walked through the wooded cutting to the Western Portal, thanks for the comments Pat
We are so lucky to have someone like you discovering and documenting these pieces of our local history and heritage that we'd otherwise never get to see. Your videos are always fascinating. Maybe Norwood Tunnel one day - most of the eastern end is still good so I hear.
Appreciate your comments Lee, is Norwood tunnel the canal tunnel at Kiveton, or have I mixed it up with another, thanks Pat
Yes that’s the one. Periodically they open it up for inspection by canoe. It might be one where you need permission as its bricked up otherwise. But would be insanely interesting as would so of the other canal tunnels
300 metres in 30 seconds in wellington boots, should be in the British Olympic Athletic team
If a ghostly figure was near me then yes I could do it, haha, all the best Pat
@@patrickdickinson6492 10 m/s is like 22 mi/h so yeah that would be pretty damn impressive even in trainers lol.
There was a guy who used to run marathons in Wellingtons (or what we call gum boots). If my memory is correct I think it was an Australian called Cliff Young.
Absolutely wonderful a true piece of history, cheers Pat..
Your very welcome Dave
Amazing condition when you consider it was last used in 1959.
Yes beautiful condition, thanks Pat
Only found you yesterday.... I admire your passion and appreciation of what went in to building these things, love all the sneaking around too!! You are a legend Patrick, thanks for these great videos and fantastic stills. Go safely and keep up the great work.
Hi Mark and thanks for the kind comments, hope you find my chanel interesting, quite varied with exploration, wild camping and anything that I,am interested in which can vary.
Looks like the next few videos will becoming from the garden, all the best Pat
'There's nothing like climbing a security fence to get a bit of adrenaline flowing' 😂❤️
Agree nothing better, all the best Pat
this is a brilliant video, the determination you have to do what you done with the camera shots, with the ladder and climbing over, thankyou for your effort
Thanks really appreciate your comments thanks Pat
Fantatic stuff as always Pat, I take it Sharon didn’t show up post edit? 😂
Take care mate 👍
Yes had a close look but pleased to say she was, nt there, thanks Pat
I could watch these all-day . So interesting .
Thanks Brian, really pleased with that, always good to hear people appreciate my videos, all the best Pat
CCTV turns out to be battery operated & radio linked. Whoops!!!!
@@TPQ1980 you can't be arrested for trespass.
Unless this counts as trespass on the railway and BTP are around 😉 £2000 fine on the way.
No I was happy it was fake, even more so when I looked close at it, would of been interesting it was real though, I can still run, all the best Pat
@@patrickdickinson6492 I too, agree it was fake. It is only a empty tunnel after all.
3:15 Naah, the top surface of the 'camera' is flat and has a small solar panel. There is the option to fit a couple of AA rechargeables inside to keep it flashing after sunset. I've installed these at sites where a basic 'security' presence is required...
Another excellent video Pat, thanks so much, could watch these all day!
This was a lot of fun James especially climbing the fence, haha, amazing ventilation shafts, all the best Pat
Beeching should have been jailed for the damage he caused to this country...
Just think what a rail network we would have now, Pat
Just discovered your channel, this is great, thanks Patrick. i love your enthusiasm.
Thanks really appreciate that and I will try and keep you entertained through the next year, all the best Pat
Ah that was brilliant. Loads of info, fabulous photography and balls of steel to explore that tunnel! Loved it, thanks Pat.
Thanks Pete, kind of you to say
Fantastic. I really don't know how you do it. Sir Pat. Great pictures. Take care out there.
Thanks this was such a impressive place, those ventilation shafts, amazing, all the best Pat
This is the first one of your videos that I have seen and I enjoyed it immensely , also very informative . I’ll have to add you to my list of favourites .
Thanks Kenneth, hope you like my other videos, mixture of exploring, wildcamping and anything else that I, am interested in, thanks Pat
Your light paintings are spectacular as are your videos.
Thanks Penny, so nice of you to say, thanks Pat
Here I am again to travel this amazing journey with you 👍👍
Yes if only we could of done it on a steam train..... thanks Pat
Brilliant Patrick. I. Not been down the tunnys for years used to play down there as a kid walk all the way to a1 get a drink and walk back. Cheers for the memories
Hi and glad it's brought back memories, I dare say with out the security fence it would be just how you left it, all the best Pat
@@patrickdickinson6492 sure looks the same and your right about the strange feelings around the spring... Spooky
Thank you for all the effort you put in to show us places we wouldn't see otherwise.
Your very welcome, thanks Pat
A great and interesting video.
The quality of the original brickwork is breathtaking, love the vent shaft's the detail at the bottom is fantastic.
The beauty of the portals almost demand an explore.
Thanks John
How anyone let alone 65 people can thumb down this great vlog from Patrick is a mystery. Good work Patrick
Thanks David, some strange sad people out there, Pat
Another outstanding video Pat, thank you for bringing us along...
Thanks, climbing that fence was the best part for me, oh and the ventilation shafts, fantastic, thanks Pat
@@patrickdickinson6492 You are very welcome Pat, i could see the excitement and hear it in your voice. i wish there were more here like that to explorer. but most of what we have here has been intentionally collapsed or back-filled to prevent exploration. You and Martin (Zero) should do a collaboration video together, it would be epic.
Amazing attention to detail. Resulting in an awesome record of an otherwise historically forgotten location. Superb examples of the laborious task solo filming presents. Well done on another outstanding video.
Thanks David, really nice comments, and thoses ventilation shafts where amazing, all the best Pat
Always fantastic to accompany you in your explorations. One of my favorite youtube channels. great work. Thanks.
Very kind of you to say Dirk, all the best Pat
Patrick, just love your videos. Someting so pure and innocent in your movies, even if you are breaking multiple laws! Would rather watch your films than 99.9% of what is currently shown on TV. Thank you for the enjoyment and pleasure your vid's bring. May you continue to do so for many, many years to come.
Kind of you to say, must admit I get alot of excitement out of these vidio, due to the fact, I should not be there, thanks Pat
great camera work & informed commentary, thank you for your great video
A pleasure John, such a magnificent price of Victorian Engineering....all hidden away and forgotten now...... thanks Pat 👍
amazing tunnel and i bet it's still there in another 100 years fantastic pictures as always your videos are second to none and very professional loved it.
Thanks David, well I hope its there in a 100 years, I, am sure it will be, all the best Pat
Another magical history lesson from the Master of explore. Thank you so much Patrick.
Great comments, thank you very much, Pat
The collapsible ladder had me chucking you rebel 😁 Wonderful explore, I share your appreciation for these wonderful constructions that are true time capsules and would never be seen again without people like yourself. As others have said wonderful pictures. Thanks for sharing with us like minded individuals. Really love your channel 👍🏻
Thanks and I really appreciate your comments thanks Pat
Great explore and photos Pat! I was so absorbed that 36 minutes went by like 3......actually felt relieved to see you make it over the fence and get out.
That's great Pete, glad you enjoyed it thanks Pat
Amazing photographs thank you for your work in getting them
Thanks Jane, some of my best, the ventilation shafts look fantastic, all taken by long, 60+ second exposure and light painting with a powerful torch, thanks Pat
Before it was blocked my friends and I walked the standege tunnel , we were school kids but it was a great day out .
👳 This is great Patrick and some hardcore fence climbing approach too .
Yes would love to have a look in Standege, but might be a bit risky now, thanks Pat
Another fascinating video - thank you -
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks Pat
Excellent vid Pat. I do love a railway tunnel and you do some of the best vids on them. As to the soot, it will usually be more pronounced on the rising gradient line. Any opportunity to close the regulator in a tunnel on a steam loco will be a mercy! Footplate crews could sometimes be overcome by exhaust fumes on a rising gradient in a single bore tunnel. Twin track tunnels like this one presented less of an ordeal, but still provided a fair simulation of Hades.
Thank you sir.
Great information Ian, I enjoy exploring these places but don, t have the detailed knowledge, so nice to learn more, all the best Pat
*whips ladder out of bag* You are a one off! Love your videos, the spirit of exploration is strong in this one!
Yes never go anywhere without one, haha, all the best Pat
Wow wish I had discovered your channel years ago
Absolutely brilliant and so naturally narrated 👍👍
Thanks Bri, and great to have you along on my adventures...... thanks Pat
@@patrickdickinson6492 came across you after watching Martin Zero
And yeah yeah no worries
Thanks also
Some good vids ngl👍👍
Thanks Pat ! I knew this was going to be interesting as soon as I saw the Entrance.... Great piece of architecture. The brickwork is stunning.
Cheers Roj
Thanks Roj
Fantastic 👍 incredible brickwork 😲
Yes all laid by hand, by Victorian craftsmen, all the best Pat
Fantastic video Patrick thank you for sharing your passion. Amazing brickwork given the time that the tunnel was built still in amazing condition. Makes me want to go find some hidden tunnels in my neck of the woods. Cheers keep up the good work!
Thanks for the comments, tunnel in really good condition for the age, all the best Pat
Excellent video again. Love following your trips. Great photos and video!
Thanks Jens, looking forward to some wildcamping soon, all the best Pat
Wow pat a other grate video I have to say a big thank for letting us see these work of art I would never get the opportunity to see them keep up the grate work and be safe a big 10 out of 10,,
Thanks for that, amazing place, I, am glad my photos worked out, thanks Pat
Hi Pat, Amazing stuff mate, you certainly are intrepid and nothing seems to phase you, even that fence you managed to scale which would have deterred a lot of people and what a location! Well done mate! Regards George
Thanks George love anything like this and I love the challenge, certainly gets your heart beating, all the best Pat