Stodhart Tunnel
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2017}}
{{Infobox historic site
| name = Stodhart Tunnel
| image = Stodhart Tunnel.jpg
| locmapin = Derbyshire
| gbgridref = SK0588081490
| built = 1796
| architect = Benjamin Outram
| designation1_date = 3 September 1985
| caption = Stodhart Tunnel portal in 2012
| coordinates = {{coord|53.332|N|1.917|W}}
| location = Chapel Milton, Derbyshire, England
| embedded = {{Designation list
| embed = yes
| designation1 = Grade II* Listed Building
| designation1_offname = Stodhart Tunnel
| designation1_date = 3 September 1985
| designation1_number = {{NHLE|num=1334843|short=y|postscript=none}}
}}
}}
Stodhart Tunnel is a {{convert|100|yd|adj=on}} tunnel on the Peak Forest Tramway at Chapel Milton, Derbyshire. The tunnel stretches under the Chapel-en-le-Firth to Glossop Road. Although one side has been blocked up, it remains one of the oldest rail-related tunnels in the world and was also the site of one of the earliest rail-related accidents, when a laden carriage rolled into two horses, killing them.
History
The tunnel was built in 1796 for the Peak Forest Tramway. Designed by Benjamin Outram, it was built out of gritstone with ashlar coping. Originally considered as an open cutting, it was designed in the style of canal tunnels, so as to not disturb the owners of the nearby Stodhart Lodge.{{cite web |url=http://www.pittdixon.go-plus.net/pft/stodhart-tunnel.htm |title=Stodhart Tunnel, Chapel Milton, High Peak |first=Peter J |last=Whitehead |date=2003–2011 |work=The Industrial Heritage of Britain |publisher= |accessdate=27 October 2011}} It ran for about {{convert|100|yd}}{{cite magazine |magazine=Railway Magazine |date=September 1963 |pages=611–617 |first=Peter |last=Clowes| title=The Peak Forest Limestone Tramway}} under the road between Chapel-en-le-Frith and Glossop, as a single track route. It remained a single-track route when the rest of the tramway was doubled, becoming a bottleneck on the line.{{cite book |last1=Nicholson |first1=Christopher |last2=Barnes |first2=Peter |title=Railways in the Peak District: A History |date=2020 |publisher=Amberley Publishing Limited |isbn=9781445693859 |edition=illustrated |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qj3KDwAAQBAJ}} The tunnel is also the site of one of the earliest railway accidents: six laden wagons broke free from their horses and rolled back into a following team, killing both horses and injuring an apprentice.
One side of the tunnel was filled in during road realignment in 1949, so it is only accessible from the other side. The tunnel was designated a grade II* listed building on 3 September 1985{{National Heritage List for England| num=1334843 |desc=Stodhart Tunnel |grade=II* |fewer-links= |accessdate=21 October 2018}} and is on the Buildings at Risk Register.{{cite web |url=https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/heritage-at-risk/search-register/list-entry/46124 |title=Stodhart Tunnel, Hayfield Road, Chapel-en-le-Frith – High Peak |work=Heritage at Risk Register |publisher=Historic England |date= |accessdate=21 October 2018}} From the 1950s part of the tunnel and about {{convert|1/2|mi|abbr=on}} of track was tar sealed and used to test Ferodo brakes. The tunnel was used to test the effect of humidity on brakes. Until May 2013, it was considered to be the earliest rail-related tunnel in the world, but is now believed to be pre-dated by Fritchley Tunnel on the Butterley Gangroad at Fritchley, also in Derbyshire.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-22342239 |title=Archaeologists find 'world's oldest railway tunnel' in Derbyshire |work=BBC News |date=1 May 2013 |accessdate=21 October 2018}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{coord|53.332|N|1.917|W|type:landmark|display=title}}
Category:Transport in Derbyshire
Category:Early British railway companies
Category:Grade II* listed buildings in Derbyshire