Explored with Morse, Gone, Fishbrain, Tweek, NickUK and Sho

Many rumours and statements can be found floating about the internet regarding the Totley Tunnel Cavern. Some say it is just a small space, accessed through a small slit in the tunnel wall. Some state it is a large complex cavern which was used to store important documents during World War Two. Well we wanted to discover the truth and clear up the rumours. The idea of heading into the live train tunnel came about around a year ago, when Gone and Morse came across the rumours. Plans got delayed, but recently we decided to plan something and get down there.


After a bit of research we made our first attempt at walking the tunnel. We arrived after the last commuter trains had travelled, and decided to sit for an hour near the Eastern portal to try to gauge traffic. We realised the heavy freight trains were coming at completely random intervals and speeds so we just had to chance it, and remain vigilant. We came up with a system for walking - in small groups separated by 22 yards, the distance between alcoves, and calling out when each group reached an alcove. On a couple of occasions a train would come through the tunnel in the distance. “TRAAAAIN!” We had to run for the nearest alcove, twice we were lucky enough to be near a small room. The trains would fly past less than a metre away, leaving behind a cloud of dirty brake dust and fumes. The first time it happened I bolted down the track, and looked over my shoulder to see a white light hurtling down the track towards me. I obviously bricked it, but upon getting into cover realised it was Morse with his torches hahaha.

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History:

Totley Tunnel is a 3.5 mile long train tunnel that runs underneath the moors between the outskirts of Sheffield and Grindleford. Construction started in 1888 and was completed in 1893, and the tunnel still holds the title of the longest non-electrified tunnel in England. Vertical shafts were built down to the level of the rails, which were dug through layers of ganister, coal and rock. Construction was greatly hindered by flooding due to the moors holding vast amounts of water - flow into the workings peaked at 2,250,000 gallons per day (7,100 L/min). Rafts had to be used to inspect the workings, and due to the damp conditions, coupled with the 24 hour shifts, there were outbreaks of typhoid, diphtheria, smallpox and scarlet fever.

Due to the water problem a drain was installed beneath the tracks, running the length of the tunnel. For ventilation four vertical shafts were initially built, with a fifth being built later with the discovery of a natural cavern.

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The railway line, with Totley Tunnel on the left

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Cross section of tunnel, showing the drain beneath

Thanks to Morse for sourcing the illustrations.

Our first attempt did not bring complete success. We hadn’t managed to find the cavern despite walking over a mile into the tunnel. At least we’d developed a system of walking, and familiarized ourselves with the place a little. We headed home wanting the goal even more, and after some more research we realised we had been co close to the cavern - about half a mile away. A return was promptly organised, and we were soon walking the tracks once again. We walked deeper into the system until myself and Fishbrain (walking at the front) suddenly came across the cavern.

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For scale - note the people stood in the background, and the train tunnel
portal in the wall on the right behind them

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If you stand under a vent which resembles a waterfall,
you're going to get wet duds.

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This feels like a really rewarding explore, to photograph and finally reveal the Totley Tunnel Cavern. Awesome.