Connaught Tunnel, Woolwich

[bengley]

Although this looks like daylight, it's actually a 30 second shutter speed with torches moved around the tunnel for the entire shot.



In no particular order.

 

[Gavelex]

Oh, I wonder where you saw this first :roll:

Here are my pictures from a number of months ago:

Full set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpg-photography/sets/72157623223246126/

 

[CCF23]

How do you get down there ?

 

[Drimnagh Road]

Whats the history of this tunnel and what route was it formally part of?

 

[CCF23]

Whats the history of this tunnel and what route was it formally part of?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Counties_and_Thames_Junction_Railway

Part of the North London Line from Richmond to North Woolwich which closed in 2006 as the line was cut back to Stratford, partly due to the new DLR extension close to the line and also due to another DLR extension being built along the old North London Line between Stratford and Canning town via West Ham.

 

[Bighat]

Excellent quality photos there Bengley. What camera did you use?

 

[bengley]

Excellent quality photos there Bengley. What camera did you use?

Thanks, It's an EOS 1000D. It's pretty much canon's cheapest entry level DSLR. Comes with a crappy lens unfortunately, hope to get a new one.

 

[Bighat]

Thanks, It's an EOS 1000D. It's pretty much canon's cheapest entry level DSLR. Comes with a crappy lens unfortunately, hope to get a new one.

I've got a Canon EOS400D, not very impressed with the lens on mine either, but I can get by with it!

One of the problems of getting the lens WITH the camera!

 

[CCF23]

How did you get access to the tunnels also good pictures.

 

[bengley]

How did you get access to the tunnels also good pictures.

Basically just walked through an open gate!

 

[CCF23]

Basically just walked through an open gate!

Really i thought it would have been more secure, espically with it running underneath London City Airport.

 

[Bighat]

Really i thought it would have been more secure, espically with it running underneath London City Airport.

Actually, NONE of it goes under the area covered by the airport.

It is slightly to the west of the Biz-jet centre there, and a fair way from the main ramp and terminal buildings.

It will arrive from the ashes when (if?) Crossrail gets built.

The Crossrail main project office is just above it, at ground level of course!

 

[Gavelex]

Actually, NONE of it goes under the area covered by the airport.

It is slightly to the west of the Biz-jet centre there, and a fair way from the main ramp and terminal buildings.

It will arrive from the ashes when (if?) Crossrail gets built.

The Crossrail main project office is just above it, at ground level of course!

It does - the tunnel goes directly under the Jet Centre.

I'm not sure about that - IIRC the Crossrail office is between West Silvertown and Pontoon Dock. All the tunnel goes under is the Royal Victoria dock - with a very sharp ramp at each end.

 

[Bighat]

It does - the tunnel goes directly under the Jet Centre.

I'm not sure about that - IIRC the Crossrail office is between West Silvertown and Pontoon Dock. All the tunnel goes under is the Royal Victoria dock - with a very sharp ramp at each end.

Sorry, but although very close to the extremity of the jet centre ramp, the line of roure of the tunnel is JUST south-west of the airraft parking ramp.

The mini-roundabout which gives access to the jet centre, and in the opposite direction takes traffic along the A112 Albert Road (as well as redirected traffic to the revised entrance to the airport) has the line from the tunnel emerge to the south west of that road.

The tunnel passes under the constriction where the lock gates are between the Royal Albert and Royal Victoria Docks, and above this point is the new bridge (the Connaught Crossing). After passing under the lock gates, the line travels south eastacross the corner of landand the link road between the roundabout on Connaught Crossing and the other roundabout which is the entrance to the jet centre, and the start of the A112 Albert Road.

The Crosrail office is situated at No1, Thames Road, south west of the line of the tunnel.

In short, it is OUTSIDE the airport boundary.

 

[christopher]

Great shots but isn't it trespassing though

 

[bengley]

Great shots but isn't it trespassing though

Yes, but you only live once and I wasn't damaging anything and I didn't hurt anyone by being in there, so nobody apart from network rail should have anything to say about it.

 

[Daniel]

Which mean's you've just shown evidence of and admitted that you were aware you were trespassing on Network Rail property on a publicly viewable forum... xD

 

[bengley]

Which mean's you've just shown evidence of and admitted that you were aware you were trespassing on Network Rail property on a publicly viewable forum... xD

Yes, but I'm not bothered by a few rail enthusiasts having a go at me. If Network Rail actually care (which I doubt) then I will take it down, or the mods can delete it.

It's not a bunch of rail enthusiasts' place to tell me what to and what not to do, it is my choice, they can keep it to themselves.

I was not putting myself, anyone else or any of NR's property in jeopardy by 'trespassing' in an abandoned tunnel, and this conversation about trespassing ends here before it becomes an argument, which from my experience of this forum, it will.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Ah - my turf! Whilst the DLR lines to Beckton and Woolwich are far better, I miss Silverstink's ponderous journey, in an uncomfortable 313 seat (never did make the trip on an EPB (though I saw many), let alone a Cravens DMU) and through the tunnel which always gave off the smell of socks and seaweed...

The Great Eastern Railway Society was a great source of information - I've bought some of their literature - as was Claire Franklin, the archivist at the Museum in Docklands, West India Quay (by Canary Wharf)


As an aside, travelling the industrial access road along the old Silvertown Way, you can still see the tracks for the original Silvertown Tramway and also the tortuous curves into one of the dock sidings.

As recently as the late '70's, Boat Trains wound their way along the PLA's Royal Docks line - I've seen a photo of 12 Mk1's on it.

If you cross Steve Redgrave Bridge, over King George V Dock, you can see the original Great Eastern Hotel; in front of which the original Gallions GER station was sited, back in the mid-19th century, for passengers joining the international ships from the dock.

 

[the sniper]

Which mean's you've just shown evidence of and admitted that you were aware you were trespassing on Network Rail property on a publicly viewable forum... xD

Shock, horror... :roll:

Even the BTP wouldn't care about this, I don't know why your taking issue with it.

 

[Daniel]

Shock, horror... :roll:

Even the BTP wouldn't care about this, I don't know why your taking issue with it.

I'm not making an issue with it, just point out I think it's a bit stupid that people admit it. I haven't got a problem with going down and doing it, but at the end of the day, it's still illegal, and it is perhaps a bit short sighted to post it and admit you knew you were tresspassing...

 

[ralphchadkirk]

I was not putting myself, anyone else or any of NR's property in jeopardy by 'trespassing' in an abandoned tunnel

I like that it especially, because abandoned tunnels are known to collapse

 

[royaloak]

And then, if he was injured he would sue NR because he should not have been able to access it :roll:.

If somebody decided to walk in your front door, sit down and watch your telly you wouldnt mind then because, after all, they are not causing any damage !

While I agree that NR or BTP probably aint interested it is still trespass and if you get a knock on the door dont complain!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Yes, but I'm not bothered by a few rail enthusiasts

Unlike you who is a "what" then?

having a go at me.

So why so quick to go on the defensive, or are you just showing how clever you are by going down there!

and this conversation about trespassing ends here before it becomes an argument, which from my experience of this forum, it will

If you didn't show such a complete disregard for other peoples property (by trespassing) we wouldn't be having this "discussion"! and who are you to dictate what other people write about?

 

[bengley]

And then, if he was injured he would sue NR because he should not have been able to access it :roll:.

If somebody decided to walk in your front door, sit down and watch your telly you wouldnt mind then because, after all, they are not causing any damage !

While I agree that NR or BTP probably aint interested it is still trespass and if you get a knock on the door dont complain!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Unlike you who is a "what" then?

So why so quick to go on the defensive, or are you just showing how clever you are by going down there!

If you didn't show such a complete disregard for other peoples property (by trespassing) we wouldn't be having this "discussion"! and who are you to dictate what other people write about?

The usual RailUK user response, as I was expecting.

Also I'm not an idiot, I would not sue NR if I was injured in there. It's common sense that if you're doing urban exploration you may get injured and it is probably your own fault.

Please just keep anything you have to say to yourself if it isn't about my photographs, because frankly, I do not care.

 

[Daniel]

 

[theblackwatch]

Please just keep anything you have to say to yourself if it isn't about my photographs, because frankly, I do not care.

If you are prepared to post, be prepared to accept comments back. If you not prepared to accept comments, or only want positive ones, then I'd suggest you shouldn't bother making your post in the first place.

 

[bengley]

Yes, plenty of real trains passed through this tunnel while I was there. Especially considering there were no tracks in some places, they had no problem getting down it!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

And we dont really care about your illegally obtained photos either!

And who has called you an idiot?

You were implying that I would sue NR if I was hurt in the tunnel.

 

[royaloak]

You wouldnt be the first!

Of course you say that know, but if you did injure yourself seriously would you accept the rest of your life was ruined or would you want the money!
I wouldnt take bets on which one it would be once you see the possible £ signs!

 

[theblackwatch]

Cut out the insults please, I have deleted one post.

 

[the sniper]

And we dont really care about your illegally obtained photos either!

Speak for yourself... :P