Kelmarsh Tunnel

The Kelmarsh Tunnels are disused railway tunnels in Northamptonshire, England. The line between Northampton and Market Harborough opened in 1859 and had tunnels at Kelmarsh and nearby Oxendon.

The original tunnel was single-track, and when the line was doubled a second single-track tunnel was built. Both tunnels are 322 yards (294 m) long, and due to the small bore, were known as "the rat-holes" by train drivers.

The former "up" line tunnel at Kelmarsh is open as part of the Brampton Valley Way, a linear park which runs from Boughton level crossing on the outskirts of Northampton to Little Bowden near Market Harborough, on the former railway trackbed.

A species of moth "Triphosa dubitata" has been observed to overwinter inside Kelmarsh Tunnel.

The tunnel is easily navigated on foot or by cyclists, and the open bore has been effectively restored. It nonetheless requires a certain level of nerve to navigate the long dark tunnel, and a torch is essential. The sign on site placed by the council indicates the tunnel length as 480 m, although this might well be an error in conversion rather than the actual length of the tunnel. The other bore of the tunnel is reached easily from the right of way allowed through local land, and the protective gate at that end is often open. The other bore is best avoided however, it has not been made safe and there is no way to exit the other end! The tunnel is nonetheless an interesting visit for anyone interested in railway architecture.

See also

* Tunnels in the United Kingdom
* List of rathole tunnels

External links

* [http://www.nlr.org.uk Northampton & Lamport Railway]