The Bizarre Story of Higham and Strood Tunnels
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- čas přidán 20. 11. 2021
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Welcome to this weeks video where we look at the rather quirky history of the Higham and Strood Tunnels and how they evolved based on the former Thames and Medway Canal.
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Charles Dickens used the Signalman and box at Higham in one of his Ghost stories, his home was not very far from the station. It is documented that before the SER took over the original company used locos to tow barges through. Also these were not narrow boats either. They were Thames Barges with the masts struck (lowered) for the passage. The middle hole was enlarged by the SER to provide filling for the water channel under the ballast. The basin at Strood was partially filled in and became a goods yard (alas now completely gone as is what was left of the basin/dock), one set of lock gates still are in place (or were until very recently). Great job as ever Guys, thanks for another wonderful video.
I worked on the railways and once walked through the tunnels.
You've got to love those bonkers Victorians just as you've got to love these videos of Paul and Rebecca!
Born in Strood. Medway Towns resident all my life. 57 years. Thank you for visiting our area and making a really interesting video
Cracking video, Team Whitewick! Loved this one, great little story, well presented. Been through that tunnel many times and never knew any of this. Also Rebecca's facial expressions from the 5 minute mark are particularly entertaining
Canals and Railways living together in a Tunnel, that is bizarre and wasn't expecting that, great video Paul and Rebecca.
Great video P&R. I used to use these tunnels every day and was aware of their unusual history. It’s worth noting that there have been some further developments to bring the story up to date. Nowadays the tunnels are no longer bare chalk but have been coated with shotcrete (sprayed concrete) to line and stabilise them. The lack of a lining, no doubt exacerbated by the stopping of the drainage at the Strood end that Davedave refers to below causing increase of the water table in the chalk, plus the building of a road bypass over the top leading to extra vibration from traffic (the tunnels are not very deep), eventually caught up with the structure so that by the 1990s and early 2000s, chalk falls were a very regular occurrence, and a serious derailment had occurred, so it was becoming a real danger to trains and passengers. Trains were limited to 20 mph.
Funny I rode passed the station today and looked over the road bridge side to look along at the tunnel . Good video.
I lived in Gillingham for over 20 years and never knew that Higham tunnel was also a canal. I've learned something new today. Thanks guys 👍❤️
The tunnels were lined a few years ago as chalk falls were causing considerable disruption and the trains restricted to 30 mph in order to prevent serious accidents. When the work was completed,the trains were able to pass through at 70 mph thus making the journey quickly and in complete safety without fear of any obstruction.
Wow,P&R,thanks for this one. My company had a depot in that area, near the Thames Estuary.I loved the wild remoteness of the area and when I visited I would slip off and explore the tunnel plus bits of the disused canal.A reminder of happy days.
I used to travel this rail route frequently and I am SO pleased to see this fascinating history covered by your good selves. I will add (if I may?) that when I lived aboard a narrowboat moored at Yalding upon the Medway I did wish that the tunnel and the canal were still open to navigation!
I have walked these tunnels several times when I was on BR Permanent Way. Prone to flooding. I remember there used to be Tunnel Patrolmen who’s sole job was to walk the tunnels constantly to check for and remove any chalk that had fallen. Only the outer ends were brick lined, there was just bare chalk inside. Several parts were quite cavernous in the Stroud Tunnel. There was staff access in the lay-by from the fields above, best avoided in wintery and wet weather as it was rather steep, I think there are a purpose bit staircase now. The tunnel was wide enough for track staff to just stand clear when trains passed by.
This story is quite an intriguing one, can you imagine travelling on a railway through a tunnel that's got a canal inside it too?
fantastically fascinating stuff as always Paul and Rebecca....I live in strood and have heard that in the Higham section of the tunnel there are sealed up horse stable areas from the canal days.dont know how true that is cos I've never seen them but just thought you might like the info.
Excellent stuff, well done both.
Another interesting video guys! Growing up/living in North Kent, I have used this line/these tunnels hundreds of times. Great to see it from the air! I remember when I used it daily while working at Waterloo Station in the 80s the tunnels flooded once. I remember a lovely diesel EMU running from Strood through the tunnels (probably to Gravesend). Keep up the great work guys. Your videos are ALWAYS packed with info and very interesting! 👍
One of my favourite videos you've done, it was very interesting!
Stumbled across this video and so glad I did. Ironically I live very close to the Strood end of this tunnel and never knew this amazing History so thank you both. Truly amazed.