The Bristol Railway Archive

What an excellent film. Used a link at the end to view one about the demolition of the old Severn Bridge.

Although there is no chance, it has always been an ambition of mine to walk through the Severn Tunnel.

Never say never Roger! A few years ago I took part as a volunteer in Exercise Night Dragon which was run for the benefit of the emergency services. On a Saturday night a HST was parked about a mile in from the Welsh end with internal lights switched off to await rescue and evacuation of the sixty odd volunteer 'casualties' on board. Not exactly a walk through but we were all loaded onto the little Gator trains which are kept in strategic locations at both ends for such an event. My vote for the best team went to the WRVS for their tea tent.

Roger wrote:Although there is no chance, it has always been an ambition of mine to walk through the Severn Tunnel.

My dad used to work for BR and has worked in the tunnel. He often described the flowing water and the pumps etc. He wanted to take me there, as he knew I would be impressed, but unfortunately it never happened.

He said that after working there a few times, one became aware of a train entering the tunnel, as the wind would slightly drop.

He also told me of a couple of times when a colleague would fail to make it to a recess in time to avoid a train. The unfortunate man would have to pin himself against the tunnel wall, which would often result in an absolute soaking, as in places water is constantly running down the wall.

He also told me of a couple of times when a colleague would fail to make it to a recess in time to avoid a train. The unfortunate man would have to pin himself against the tunnel wall....

I always thought that the correct procedure in such a case was to lie down in the cess, where there was more clearance - though probably a lot more water too![/quote]

My dad used to work for BR and has worked in the tunnel. He often described the flowing water and the pumps etc. He wanted to take me there, as he knew I would be impressed, but unfortunately it never happened.

My grandfather spent most of his life down there. He was one of the tunnel platelayers - retired about 1965 I think after 45 years. I've still got the BR thank you gold watch "in appreciation of 45 years service".

His name was Thomas (Tom) Cannard if your dad or anybody else might have known him.

I always thought that the correct procedure in such a case was to lie down in the cess, where there was more clearance - though probably a lot more water too!

That was the proper procedure, but generally was a last resort. It's not called the cess for nothing and there isn't only water in it - think of all those toilets being flushed onto the track!

Back then, track working could be a filthy job ...

jules wrote:His name was Thomas (Tom) Cannard if your dad or anybody else might have known him.

Doesn't ring a bell, but my father was there in the 80's and 90's, although he started at BR in the 60's.

Doesn't ring a bell, but my father was there in the 80's and 90's, although he started at BR in the 60's.

Might have known each other if your father started in Bristol then ...