Could Harecastle railway tunnel be useful as a 'loop'

[Philip]

As the title says, could the old Harecastle railway tunnel be worth reopening as a means to allow local EMT trains, or more specifically freight trains, to use it as a loop to allow the express trains to get past, potentially freeing up a path or two on either this route or even the Crewe-Stafford section, if more freight was then diverted away from Crewe-Norton Bridge and through Alsager and Harecaslte instead? Goods trains could then be held at a red signal in the tunnel until it is suitable to let them onto the mainline again.

I've no idea about the state of the tunnel inside, but the portals at least seem in good working order, as do the approach cuttings from both ends.

 

[Grecian 1998]

I suspect the answer from those in the know will be 'no chance' and that if it was decided extra capacity was needed, it would be cheaper to build a new stretch of line than recommission a tunnel to working order that hasn't been used for 55 years.

The tunnel was taken out of use because the loading gauge was too small to install OHL equipment when electrification was underway. If there's a serious attempt to electrify a lot more of the network, the same restriction will arise. Also it would probably inhibit the size of freight trains.

 

[The_Train]

I saw a video recently of someone visiting the tunnel and heading inside. From what they showed there didn't appear to be too much issue with the structure (although there was some scaffolding in there - not sure if that was for support or for access if work had been undertaken) but a big problem might be the lake of orange coloured water (matching the local canal which is orange because of the local geology (mainly the iron ore) and apparently something to do with the lining of the canal - is it a clay base or something along those lines?) which stopped the 'explorer' in his tracks.

Aside from this I think @Grecian 1998 makes a good point in that this tunnel was closed because of the lack of space for OHLE and I can't see a 'new' line gaining much support without electrification being involved. Will just end up with Greta whatever her name is blocking the tunnel entrance

I'd also question if it is necessary. Is it that much of a bottleneck between Stoke and Kidsgrove/Alsager? I see your point regarding freight along the Crewe-Norton Bridge-Stafford section but it seems to hold its own and you may free up space along that route but wouldn't everything that went up towards Alsager or off that line into Crewe have to go through Crewe station? I'm sure that would create more problems than is currently faced between Stafford and Crewe and is exactly why we have the Crewe Independents

 

[furnessvale]

I suspect the answer from those in the know will be 'no chance' and that if it was decided extra capacity was needed, it would be cheaper to build a new stretch of line than recommission a tunnel to working order that hasn't been used for 55 years.

The tunnel was taken out of use because the loading gauge was too small to install OHL equipment when electrification was underway. If there's a serious attempt to electrify a lot more of the network, the same restriction will arise. Also it would probably inhibit the size of freight trains.

Not that I am advocating anything, but a single line up the centre of the alignment would probably provide sufficient clearance for OHLE and large containers.

Incidentally, somewhere in the bowels of NR are plans to gauge clear the line from the Trent to Stoke on Trent for large containers. If that ever came to fruition it could increase the need for some relief on the Stoke to Crewe line.

 

[Dr Hoo]

Not that I am advocating anything, but a single line up the centre of the alignment would probably provide sufficient clearance for OHLE and large containers.

Incidentally, somewhere in the bowels of NR are plans to gauge clear the line from the Trent to Stoke on Trent for large containers. If that ever came to fruition it could increase the need for some relief on the Stoke to Crewe line.

That scheme has been around for years, originally under the Strategic Freight Network umbrella. It was principally about providing a night-time diversionary alternative to Syston-Leicester-Nuneaton-Crewe for one-week-in-six maintenance cycles (a bit like the Romsey-Laverstock-Andover diversion from Southampton). Congestion between Stoke and Kidsgrove probably not much of an issue at 02:00.

 

[30907]

Norton Br - Crewe is quadruple anyway, with 4-5 high speed services and 3 EMUs an hour IIRC. Not unmanageably busy!

 

[John Webb]

…. but a big problem might be the lake of orange coloured water (matching the local canal which is orange because of the local geology (mainly the iron ore) and apparently something to do with the lining of the canal - is it a clay base or something along those lines?) which stopped the 'explorer' in his tracks.....

The sides and base of the canal are lined with 'Puddled Clay' - clay into which some water has been introduced and well-mixed up - this makes a material which is waterproof and keeps the canal water from leaking out. But conversely it keeps water out as well. So if the railway tunnel used to have proper drains to the canal, they've probably been left untouched and have blocked, leaving water in the tunnel. Or mining subsidence has left the railway tunnel lower and water is coming from the canal!
This is is a view of the southern end of the canal tunnel:
Harecastle Tunnel South Entrance

© Copyright Brian Deegan and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
(Click on photo to go to the larger original.)
The building over the tunnel mouth contains a fan. Once you are inside a door is closed across the canal and air is blown in or sucked out while boats are moving through the tunnel. For several decades there was an electric tug pulling boats through.

The same website shows the N portal of the tunnel only:
North portal of disused Harecastle South railway tunnel

© Copyright Jonathan Hutchins and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

 

[The Lad]

The orange is from ironstone deposits.

 

[Whistler40145]

Wasn’t the original Harecastle Tunnel closed because of it’s poor condition and limited clearance for OHLE?

 

[The_Train]

Wasn’t the original Harecastle Tunnel closed because of it’s poor condition and limited clearance for OHLE?

I only ever heard that it was closed because of the issue with the OHLE. Never heard anything regarding it's condition and I'm pretty sure that had it been suitable for the electrification programme, trains would still be running through it now

 

[Baxenden Bank]

I it were necessary to create more capacity, four-tracking the section between Stoke-on-Trent and south of Harecastle would probably be easier. The formation is generally four-track anyway with various loops and sidings occupying the space. The loops and sidings are generally unused.

Just a single station in the way at Longport. You could just close that - it's not as though they haven't already done that with Etruria, Wedgwood, Barlaston and Norton Bridge!

 

[Llanigraham]

As per post #3, recent video about the tunnel:

EDIT.
Video by a pair of rail explorers concerning the 3 tunnels under Harecastle hill, including video of the interior of the northern of the rail tunnels with comments about their conditions.

And to add, we went through the canal tunnel in the last couple of years and that is still subject to movement. When first opened it had a tow path but that was removed when the roof sank. There are sections that I was not able to stand on the back of the boat and had to kneel down to steer.