Somerton Tunnel

Somerton Tunnel is located between Somerton and Langport on the Reading to Taunton Line in Somerset, England.[1]

Somerton Tunnel
Overview
StatusOperational
SystemReading to Taunton Line
StartSomerton
EndLangport
Operation
Opened1906
TrafficRail
Technical
Length0.6 miles (0.97 km)
No. of tracks2
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)

The tunnel was constructed by the Great Western Railway (GWR) on the Langport and Castle Cary Railway. Remnants of its construction remain in the villages of Charlton Mackrell and Long Sutton. Completed during 1906 and in use since, the tunnel is just under a kilometre in length.[2]

History

Tunnelling was aided by the use of explosives. During its construction, explosives were stored in a powder house in Charlton Mackrell; according to local historical Derrick Warren, this structure is still standing.[3] Another building believed to have been used as an explosives store is located at a distance from the tunnel's western portal in Long Sutton, is in a derelict condition.[4] A worker was killed during the tunnel's construction in an incident that involved blasting charges that had failed to detonate as planned.[2]

Somerton Tunnel has been subject to minor remedial works. In March 2020, Network Rail undertook work to improve drainage in the tunnel.[5]

References
  1. "10. Railway", Somerton Web Museum, Retrieved: 31 July 2021.
  2. Langmaid, Nancy. (c2009) "The Wooldridge Album." Somerton Tunnel, Retrieved: 31 July 2021.
  3. Warren, Derrick (2005). Curious Somerset. Stroud: Sutton Publishing. pp. 41–42. ISBN 978-0-7509-4057-3.
  4. "Explosives Store, Long Sutton, Somerset." Heritage Explorer, Retrieved: 31 July 2021.
  5. "Network Rail set to carry out nine upgrades at the same time in Somerset to reduce disruption for passengers". networkrail.co.uk. 12 March 2020.

51.04344°N 2.75761°W / 51.04344; -2.75761

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