Template:Moelwyn Tunnels Old & New

From Festipedia, hosted by the FR Heritage Group

Tunnels and Loading Gauge, etc.[edit]

Comparison of Tunnels, etc.

N Year Link Gradient Length Curvature Tracks Ventilation Width
$
Height
$
Sides Roof Lining Engineer Remarks Notes
101
1842*
1863+
Old Moelwyn Tunnel
* Horse Power
+ Steam power
1 in 80? x 730yd Straight 1 3 8' 0" 9' 6" Straight roughly Semi-circle Stone portals; unlined within J. Spooner Replaced 1836 inclines
* No Problems
+ Nasty, confined, wet
106 1977 New Moelwyn Tunnel 1 in 80? x 275yd Straight 1 None 11'
(+/- 3")
12'
(+/- 6")
Straight Low arc Shot Concrete
(Shotcrete)
M.A. Schumann;
the Three Miners
Deviation avoids flooding Comfortable
201 1851 Garnedd Tunnel 1 in 80; dips under portals 60yd Slightly curved 1 No 8' 0" ca.10' roughly straight Semi-circle, stone portals Mostly unlined; brick piers in places J. Spooner Deviation of 1836 route
701 1836 FR Structure gauge 8' 0" various cuttings, now less; was ca.7' at Cemetery 1963 8' 6" (to 1956) but 9' 8"(since 1963) Rhiw Plas Smallest bridge or tunnel GS
705 1836 FR Loading gauge 6' 2" plus in-swing at carriage centres 9ft +/- 3ins Largest rolling stock GL
  • Notes: N/A = Not Available.
  • x Notes: Ruling Grade about 1 in 80.
  • + Notes: At ruling gradient.
  • $ Notes: Structure gauge and loading gauge are not simple rectangles.

Gallery[edit]

Rathole[edit]

A rathole tunnel is so-called when a combination of factors make it difficult, unpleasant, and even dangerous to operate, including

  • gradient too close to the ruling gradient.
  • length longer than the "momentum distance".
  • wet rails from steam and/or water seepage.
  • unhelpful wind direction.
  • train load too close to full load.
  • loading gauge too close to the structure gauge.
  • awkward stop at bottom of tunnel.
  • insufficient time between trains for smoke to clear.
  • single line rather than double line.
  • lack of escape route for crew in case of stall.
  • even great engineers made mistakes and rathole tunnels.

There is a standing instruction to enginemen on the FR that in the event of the engine coming to a stand in a tunnel, the train must run back by gravity outside the tunnel before any effort is made to blow up steam.