The tunnel connecting Bridgehouses in Sheffield with the MR's Wicker Goods Stati

[Kidorry]

Here's a photo looking up the tunnel from the Wicker Goods Station

 

http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/picturesheffield.pl?_cgifunction=form&_layout=picturesheffield&keyval=sheff.refno=u04674

 

I believe all the engine crews hated that tunnel. I had an old pal who fired and drove for LMS during and after the war and he did that tunnel a few times. It was a steep incline from a standing start and there was so much wheel-slip he could empty the sandbox by the time he got through it. He said you could choke to death from the smoke in there

 

I do not think that is the fiery jack tunnel because the one I remember had a steeper incline than that and I believe it was a single line(but could be wrong).Also the buildings in the background I cannot recognise,and i walked up and down Spital hill for donkeys years going to school.

[Greybeard]

I do not think that is the fiery jack tunnel because the one I remember had a steeper incline than that and I believe it was a single line(but could be wrong).Also the buildings in the background I cannot recognise,and i walked up and down Spital hill for donkeys years going to school.

 

The picture was taken in 1920 so some things will have changed

 

Here's the detail on the 1905 map. It looks like a double line entering from the Wicker end.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/Taidi/Tunnel.jpg

 

Here's photo of the Bridgehouses end.

 

http://johnlawontherails.fotopic.net/p26853847.html

 

and another...

 

http://friendsofcharltonbrook.co.uk/My_Archive/Design/Assets/images/SMALL_IMAGES/spittaltunnel.jpg

 

Different architectural style to the Wicker end, but they were different railway companies when it was built.

 

Just noticed on that second photo you can see clear through the tunnel...so no significant bend in it.

[Siren]

I'm with Greybeard it looks exactly like I remember the Fiery Jack. It was definately double tracked, there is an 1851 map of it in George Dow's book" Great Central 1813 to 1863" which clearly shows two tracks. I do remember being able to see from one end to the other, i.e. there was no bend.

[Kidorry]

The picture was taken in 1920 so some things will have changed

 

Here's the detail on the 1905 map. It looks like a double line entering from the Wicker end.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/Taidi/Tunnel.jpg

 

Here's photo of the Bridgehouses end.

 

http://johnlawontherails.fotopic.net/p26853847.html

 

and another...

 

http://friendsofcharltonbrook.co.uk/My_Archive/Design/Assets/images/SMALL_IMAGES/spittaltunnel.jpg

 

Different architectural style to the Wicker end, but they were different railway companies when it was built.

 

Just noticed on that second photo you can see clear through the tunnel...so no significant bend in it.

 

Yep,I am convinced now it is the fiery jack tunnel.The only thing that has got me now are the tall buildings in the background.Maybe they are the ones by the side of the tripe shop because there was a little road that lead up to some small factories.

[Greybeard]

Yep,I am convinced now it is the fiery jack tunnel.The only thing that has got me now are the tall buildings in the background.Maybe they are the ones by the side of the tripe shop because there was a little road that lead up to some small factories.

 

I think the roof line and chimney stacks look to be tall because the photo is taken from about 25-30 feet below street level. From the map I'd say they belonged to the property on the bottom side of that little road. I passed the spot many times on the bus when I lived in Firth Park and they look quite familiar to me.

 

The main thing is ANTIFA got plenty of info.

[Douglas J]

you're quite right about the tunnel being straight. I always thought it was on a bend but both the map and the photo show it is straight. I must have a look at the bottom end some time.

 

the map shows there was a lot of buildings there at one time.

[Tinsoldier]

to confrim that is definately the Fiery Jack tunnel

 

In the mid 1970s it was no longer in use, so... myself and afew other Pye Bank Kids used to dare to walk through, this was a massive dare at the time, it was rumoured to have a great deep hole in the middle which if you were unlucky enough to fall down you were a goner. I estimate we made the journy about 4 or 5 times between 1974/75. We always started at the Bridgehouses end and came out at the Wicker end and I remember the look of horror on a workmans face, when we once emerged from the tunnel.

 

What would 'elf n safety make of it!!

[Siren]

Tinsoldier

Me and a few mates did the walk in the late 50's. Strange the story that there was a deep hole in the middle was prevalent then. I wonder if it was a folk memory of when the roof of the tunnel fell in killing, I think, six people.

[Tinsoldier]

hi Siren

 

Is that an urban myth about the roof falling in or is it fact?

[hillsbro]

you're quite right about the tunnel being straight. I always thought it was on a bend but both the map and the photo show it is straight.

 

It was definitely straight. I remember going by train to Manchester in the 1960s, if you looked as the train passed the tunnel you could see right through it, with daylight at the other end.