Good footage...👍👍👍 I walked through it myself afew years back when it waz all derelict and completey abandoned and waz quiet an experience and adventure at the time 👍
Interesting content and well delivered as every Andy. Interesting relics still insitu of the not too distant past. The board is a datum plate where the red block is adjustable and locked into position. They are mainly prevalent on platforms where the X&Y for the platform edge are critical. It’s so when the ballast is repacked the tamper has a reference point. A benchmark so to speak.
What a very interesting video, I found it fascinating how you went into such detail in the tunnel. Near the beginning I thought that huge electric charger was quite mind blowing, especially the short period of time its meant to take to charge. Awesome video, thank you for making and uploading it.
Hi Tech Tier :) Thanks very much. It was a fun but in depth video to produce. The Sony A7iii I filmed this video on had a whammy near the charger station (it was isolated btw so I didn’t need a tin foil hat) the selector for the viewfinder to display decided to keep swapping every few seconds which was a nightmare on set. A quick change to manual (I only use the screen as the viewfinder is fouled by the mic cable) then we were off into the tunnel. Thanks for watching and commenting:)
Another intriguing investigation, Andrew L-W & Co.! Thank you. Much information and historical aspects to get my 'young' 71 year-old inquisitive teeth into. All the best, A. Stay free. As always, I remain: Rab 🍻 😎 🎲 🌠
The Dudley Tunnel was extensively used in both directions by goods and passenger trains, railway workers were in the tunnel tightening track joints and other maintenance requirements; trains didn't stop, it was up to the workers to find a safety the nearest colvert. Remember the amount of smoke and soot would have made it difficult for workers, but they knew a colvert was within a few yards of where ever they were.
I went “exploring” in that tunnel when I was 15 with a couple mates of mine. Didn’t discover anything interesting but came across a couple machetes and some shotgun cartridges which looking back I probably should of reported at the time. I’m glad it’s been put to use again though.
Excellent informative video as always. The datum plate you found would have the information on it as follows: Plate No, Meterage/Chainage, Cant (tilt gradient of the track), Height (above the top of the rail) Offset (distance from the inside running edge of the the rails). Hope this bit of info helps, keep the great videos coming.
Great video, I too have seen those little plaques on railway walls and wondered what they are for, if you find out please let me know, many thanks, Phil H
That is no longer a possibility, as the track bed at either end of the tunnel has been repurposed for the West Midlands Metro tramway expansion. From Wednesbury (where the Metro depot is located) through to Hartshill) the OWL line is now designated for Metro operations. Unlike the former OWL and South Staffs lines, which traversed the tunnel, the West Midlands Metro will leave the track bed and join the street level, via a newly constructed ramp. From this point until the Metro reachers Cinderbank, which is near enough to where the end of the test track and test platform is located, it will run on the streets through Dudley town centre. Then at Cinderbank, the Metro will leave the street and rejoin the old track bed all the way until it reaches Hartshill. At this point, it will return to the street, to serve an area called the Waterfront and then on to the mammoth Merry Hill Shopping Centre, before reaching journey’s end and terminating in Brierley Hill town centre- for the time being. There are plans to further extend the line in the future to Stourbridge town centre, again occupying more of the old track bed. There were feasibility studies conducted in the early 00’s for the line to be a track share with tram-trains and heavy rail freight trains. This eventually fell out of favour and the Metro will run on standard gauge tram tracks. Also, as you have seen, the area of track bed, including via the tunnel, not utilised by the Metro is what has now become the Very Light Rail Innovation Centre and test facility. This effectively renders any possibilities of heavy rail vehicles to ever again run on this line. In my personal opinion, if there had really been any viability of heavy rail through services running from Walsall to Stourbridge along this corridor, British Rail and the then WMPTA (West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority) surely would have made plans at some point during the last 30 years? I’m glad that the line and now the tunnel have been resurrected, rather than been left as rotting wasteland. The area where the curve test track sits is more or less the site where the former BR Freightliner terminal sat. When that closed in September 1989, although the line remained operational for another three years, the site was left derelict and has remained that way until recently.
@@wishkid79 is it confirmed that the proposal is to extend the Metro to Stourbridge continuing on the old alignment? At one point over a year ago the idea of using a Stourbridge Shuttle type service seemed to be officially adopted. This proposal has been reiterated this past February by the MP for Dudley South. However, last September the WMCA seemed to make a proposal for a route to Stourbridge but I'm not sure if it's the Metro or the Shuttle as they listed it together with proposals for other Metro extensions in the county. The messaging doesn't seem coherent, or is being deliberately blurred.
Very interesting vlog and you gave us so many facts you had obviously done your research which is always appreciated, i am surprised that the tunnel was'nt cleaned when it was renovated, they must have only done the minimum maintenance to get the trams up and running. So am i right in thinking the passenger service only goes so far and the rest is just a test track, so then where does the passenger service finish. Am i right in thinking that this is a tram train track so they can still run freight trains if they need to, I remember reading that the local authority wanted it for freight as well as passengers. It is great to see an old railway and tunnel being reused, it just goes to show that if this infrastructure is kept it can often find a new use, its just a shame that so much was destroyed, i mean even the Elizabeth Line which is really high tech uses an old tunnel and railway. I would like to know more about this line maybe you should do the history of it, it went to Oxford you said, I think that the rest of the line is cut off by the ringroad and the Merry Hill Centre at Dudley.
Hi thanks for video! Lots of great info!! I'm a little confused though. The track with the tight loop and that also goes under the tunnel you walked is just for very light rail vehicle testing? Is it also part of the metro extension? I notice that there is track being laid in Castle Hill and I assume that is part of the West Midlands Metro extension from Wednesbury but I dont think it joins the track you walked along? Sorry if I'm being stupid!!
This is the future , reuse the remanence of the old infrastructure. Hopefully the abandoned railway tunnels you have visited will end up being saved this way. Did you bump into Geoff Marshall there by chance?
Even the West Midlands Metro Trams have rechargeble batteries on them so they can run on parts of the route where there is no OHLE such as in parts of Birmingham City Centre where the trms lower there pantogrph and run on batteries
Nice to see theyre actually reusing the tunnel
Hi Will. Yes it is nice to see paid for industry being put to use rather than left to decay
great video, all credit to you for getting access, not everybody would get the chance, great to see
Much appreciated Dave, thanks for watching :)
Good footage...👍👍👍 I walked through it myself afew years back when it waz all derelict and completey abandoned and waz quiet an experience and adventure at the time 👍
Thanks for the tour ALW very Interesting ;)
Hi EWC :) hope you’re well mate and thanks for watching and commenting
Interesting content and well delivered as every Andy. Interesting relics still insitu of the not too distant past. The board is a datum plate where the red block is adjustable and locked into position. They are mainly prevalent on platforms where the X&Y for the platform edge are critical.
It’s so when the ballast is repacked the tamper has a reference point. A benchmark so to speak.
Hello there Gary, thanks very much for the info. Ah so it’s to do with the permanent way/tamper for alignment. Thanks for watching and commenting
A great video. Thank you. Cheers mate.
Hello Martin :) you’re very welcome
The deposits on the walls are more likely to be calcium as this is a limestone area.
Hi there. Thanks :) I thought someone would know
Good video Andy thanks bud
Hello Markurbex:) thank you very much indeed
What a very interesting video, I found it fascinating how you went into such detail in the tunnel. Near the beginning I thought that huge electric charger was quite mind blowing, especially the short period of time its meant to take to charge. Awesome video, thank you for making and uploading it.
Hi Tech Tier :)
Thanks very much. It was a fun but in depth video to produce. The Sony A7iii I filmed this video on had a whammy near the charger station (it was isolated btw so I didn’t need a tin foil hat) the selector for the viewfinder to display decided to keep swapping every few seconds which was a nightmare on set. A quick change to manual (I only use the screen as the viewfinder is fouled by the mic cable) then we were off into the tunnel. Thanks for watching and commenting:)
Another intriguing investigation, Andrew L-W & Co.! Thank you. Much information and historical aspects to get my 'young' 71 year-old inquisitive teeth into.
All the best, A. Stay free. As always, I remain: Rab 🍻 😎 🎲 🌠
Hello Rab :) hope you’re well and thanks for watching
The Dudley Tunnel was extensively used in both directions by goods and passenger trains, railway workers were in the tunnel tightening track joints and other maintenance requirements; trains didn't stop, it was up to the workers to find a safety the nearest colvert. Remember the amount of smoke and soot would have made it difficult for workers, but they knew a colvert was within a few yards of where ever they were.
Very nice. Thought before it started and title, thumbnail. that will be a tour or something where can be there, It was. A good jolly.
Hey Daniel, thanks very much :)
Andy and Carl,
Thankyou for that information, I've wondered what they were for for some time, good to know,
Best Regards, PMh
Hello Phillip. You’re very welcome.
I went “exploring” in that tunnel when I was 15 with a couple mates of mine. Didn’t discover anything interesting but came across a couple machetes and some shotgun cartridges which looking back I probably should of reported at the time. I’m glad it’s been put to use again though.
Wow sounds a bit of an epic find. I’m glad you got out safe
Great stuff
Excellent informative video as always.
The datum plate you found would have the information on it as follows:
Plate No,
Meterage/Chainage,
Cant (tilt gradient of the track),
Height (above the top of the rail)
Offset (distance from the inside running edge of the the rails).
Hope this bit of info helps, keep the great videos coming.
Thanks for the info! thats really helpful, i have seen those all over and have often wondered. New videos coming :) thanks for watching too
Great video,
I too have seen those little plaques on railway walls and wondered what they are for, if you find out please let me know, many thanks, Phil H
Hello Phillip, a nice viewer commented saying they are Datum Plates, for track alingment and for the tamper to reference. Thanks for watching :)
The old bridge from 1850 wow .
it would have been preferable to reopen the routes to through trains
I hope this becomes a reality
That is no longer a possibility, as the track bed at either end of the tunnel has been repurposed for the West Midlands Metro tramway expansion. From Wednesbury (where the Metro depot is located) through to Hartshill) the OWL line is now designated for Metro operations.
Unlike the former OWL and South Staffs lines, which traversed the tunnel, the West Midlands Metro will leave the track bed and join the street level, via a newly constructed ramp. From this point until the Metro reachers Cinderbank, which is near enough to where the end of the test track and test platform is located, it will run on the streets through Dudley town centre. Then at Cinderbank, the Metro will leave the street and rejoin the old track bed all the way until it reaches Hartshill. At this point, it will return to the street, to serve an area called the Waterfront and then on to the mammoth Merry Hill Shopping Centre, before reaching journey’s end and terminating in Brierley Hill town centre- for the time being. There are plans to further extend the line in the future to Stourbridge town centre, again occupying more of the old track bed.
There were feasibility studies conducted in the early 00’s for the line to be a track share with tram-trains and heavy rail freight trains. This eventually fell out of favour and the Metro will run on standard gauge tram tracks. Also, as you have seen, the area of track bed, including via the tunnel, not utilised by the Metro is what has now become the Very Light Rail Innovation Centre and test facility. This effectively renders any possibilities of heavy rail vehicles to ever again run on this line.
In my personal opinion, if there had really been any viability of heavy rail through services running from Walsall to Stourbridge along this corridor, British Rail and the then WMPTA (West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority) surely would have made plans at some point during the last 30 years? I’m glad that the line and now the tunnel have been resurrected, rather than been left as rotting wasteland. The area where the curve test track sits is more or less the site where the former BR Freightliner terminal sat. When that closed in September 1989, although the line remained operational for another three years, the site was left derelict and has remained that way until recently.
@@wishkid79 is it confirmed that the proposal is to extend the Metro to Stourbridge continuing on the old alignment? At one point over a year ago the idea of using a Stourbridge Shuttle type service seemed to be officially adopted. This proposal has been reiterated this past February by the MP for Dudley South.
However, last September the WMCA seemed to make a proposal for a route to Stourbridge but I'm not sure if it's the Metro or the Shuttle as they listed it together with proposals for other Metro extensions in the county. The messaging doesn't seem coherent, or is being deliberately blurred.
Should use this tunnel and extend it / connect it to the severn valley railway direct to the BCLM
How would you connect this tunnel to the SVR !!!
From Kidderminster, Stourbridge and Round Oak.
Very interesting vlog and you gave us so many facts you had obviously done your research which is always appreciated, i am surprised that the tunnel was'nt cleaned when it was renovated, they must have only done the minimum maintenance to get the trams up and running. So am i right in thinking the passenger service only goes so far and the rest is just a test track, so then where does the passenger service finish. Am i right in thinking that this is a tram train track so they can still run freight trains if they need to, I remember reading that the local authority wanted it for freight as well as passengers. It is great to see an old railway and tunnel being reused, it just goes to show that if this infrastructure is kept it can often find a new use, its just a shame that so much was destroyed, i mean even the Elizabeth Line which is really high tech uses an old tunnel and railway. I would like to know more about this line maybe you should do the history of it, it went to Oxford you said, I think that the rest of the line is cut off by the ringroad and the Merry Hill Centre at Dudley.
Maybe one day Mary :)
21:39 it’s not Birmingham, it’s the Black Country 👍🏼
Roger Over
i got stopped in the tunnel for lack of steam my driver whas cockney jack from london
Excellent video Andy, I was just wondering will that Tunnel have Two tracks for the trams or just the one we see now
Looks like it is only going to get the one set for testing :)
Hi thanks for video! Lots of great info!! I'm a little confused though. The track with the tight loop and that also goes under the tunnel you walked is just for very light rail vehicle testing? Is it also part of the metro extension? I notice that there is track being laid in Castle Hill and I assume that is part of the West Midlands Metro extension from Wednesbury but I dont think it joins the track you walked along? Sorry if I'm being stupid!!
Hello Peter, the track and loop are all part of the testing for the Metro and may one day be part of it but currently are not.
@@ALWResearchTeam thanks for your reply! 👍🏻
This is the future , reuse the remanence of the old infrastructure. Hopefully the abandoned railway tunnels you have visited will end up being saved this way.
Did you bump into Geoff Marshall there by chance?
Hi Anthony, it sure is a great idea :)
I didn’t see mr Marshall
@@ALWResearchTeam It seems like the type of event he would attend.
battery charge tram???? is that a joke?
No joke, just a big milk float
Even the West Midlands Metro Trams have rechargeble batteries on them so they can run on parts of the route where there is no OHLE such as in parts of Birmingham City Centre where the trms lower there pantogrph and run on batteries