Geograph - photograph every grid square

The original Huthwaite Tunnel (315 yards) was built in 1844. It had two tracks. Stone was used for both its lining and portals. The tunnel which is now part of the TPT was built as a result of the electrification of the Woodhead line, as the original tunnel could not include two tracks worth of overhead line equipment (OLE). Nationalisation of the railways occurred during the construction resulting in both LNER (1947) and BR (1948) datestones being fixed at each end. The Sheffield-bound line was slewed onto the centreline of the original tunnel whilst the second bore took trains to Manchester. The original tunnel is now blocked at both ends with the TPT utilising the new tunnel. The latter has a slightly tighter curve and is also longer at 340 yards. The Woodhead route was closed in 1981 but the Deepcar-Barnsley Junction section - which included the tunnel - survived until 16th May 1983.