The Tunnel Railway: A Curious Journey Through Time
Imagine a railway that runs entirely underground, connecting shops and attractions with the main line in a small coastal town. That’s exactly what the Tunnel Railway was—a unique piece of history that has left an indelible mark on Ramsgate, Kent, England.
The Birth of an Underground Marvel
In 1936, the Tunnel Railway opened its doors to the public. It was a narrow-gauge railway with a track gauge of just 2 feet, making it one of the shortest independent railways in the country. The line ran entirely underground and connected tourist attractions near Ramsgate harbour with the main line at Dumpton Park. But why did they build such an unusual railway? Wasn’t it too costly and impractical?
Designing for Safety and Efficiency
The Southern Railway, along with Ramsgate Olympia, had a vision to create something special. They agreed on a scheme that would use part of the old tunnel nearest the beach, branching off into a new tunnel to emerge at Hereson Road station. The 1,444-yard journey would descend 83 feet from Hereson Road to the lower terminus. Henry Greenly was tasked with designing the infrastructure, ensuring it could handle both passengers and potential air-raid shelters.
Electric Power for Safety
Electric power was chosen over steam due to safety concerns. English Electric built two trains that were designed to resemble existing Southern Railway trains but were smaller. A 33m train painted yellow could carry 108 passengers, but it had the unique feature of having two driver cabs, allowing it to split into two trains with 54 passengers each. The railway opened on July 31, 1936, and was decorated with illuminated scenes depicting various countries. It proved popular, carrying 20,000 passengers over the Bank Holiday weekend.
A Timetable of Demand
The Tunnel Railway never had a timetable; it operated according to demand. Trains were split into two-car sections when not in use, making efficient use of resources. The railway was more than just a mode of transportation—it was an experience. Passengers could enjoy the unique journey through tunnels that doubled as air-raid shelters during World War II.
Aftermath and Closure
The line remained private but became economically unviable after the war, leading to its closure in 1965 following a train crash. However, the Southern Railway rejected the proposal as too costly and impractical. The railway reopened briefly after the crash, but services resumed only after repairs. The line closed on September 26, 1965.
Legacy of the Tunnel
The tunnel remained intact inside but was sealed off, with the lower terminus cleared. Hereson Road station was repurposed as a car dealership, and some railway equipment was sold to collectors. The lower section of the tunnel reopened in 2014 as part of the Ramsgate Tunnels tourist attraction, formally reopened by Prince Edward on May 27, 2014.
The Tunnel Railway was more than just a railway; it was a testament to innovation and the ingenuity of its creators. It remains a fascinating piece of history, reminding us of the unique projects that once thrived in our towns and cities.
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This page is based on the article Tunnel Railway published in Wikipedia (retrieved on December 1, 2024) and was automatically summarized using artificial intelligence.
