Summit Tunnel 175th anniversary celebrations

Photo: Fire West Yorkshire

Thousands of gallons of petrol burned sending flames hundreds of feet in the air via the ventilation tunnels

The Summit Tunnel, which is located between Littleborough and Walsden, is one of the oldest railway tunnels in the world, and was once the longest ever of its kind. It was built between 1838 and 1841 by the Manchester and Leeds Railway beneath the Pennines.

Despite its age, the tunnel has been continuously used for passengers and goods since it opened.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/100344/175th-anniversary-of-summit-tunnel-to-be-celebrated

The Summit tunnel suffered a very serious fire in 1984 when a fully loaded tanker train became derailed. Thirteen tankers containing petrol caught fire and thousands of gallons of petrol burned sending flames hundreds of feet in the air via the ventilation tunnels. The fire burnt for days.

The tunnel, which is Grade 2 listed, was repaired with concrete.

Anniversary Celebrations will be at Littleborough Station on Tuesday 1 March in the Littleborough Historical and Archaeological Museum on the station which will be open from 9:30am to 12:30pm.

The band of the Holy Trinity C of E primary school will play and The Mayor of Rochdale Surinder Biant will formally open a small exhibition.

At 10:53am the party joins the train from Littleborough to travel through the tunnel, where items of interest pointed out.

At Hebden Bridge the party will change platforms for the return journey back to Littleborough.

The Summit Inn in Littleborough also played a big part in the building of the tunnel. All meetings between directors, engineer,s etc. took place at the Inn.

There will also be an exhibition and celebration at the Jubilee Refreshment Room at Sowerby Bridge Station all day.