This is the western portal of Woodhead New Tunnel as seen on Thursday 3rd June 1954, immediately after the opening ceremony. It is a little over 3 miles in length and was controversially closed just 27 years later, electrification of the route having failed to secure its long term future. A superbly narrated and illustrated book 'The Woodhead Line - Electric Pioneer' (2022) is very highly recommended as probably the definitive story of the Woodhead Route's fascinating saga.

© Raymond McCarthy-Eddie Johnson Archive