Monument record 6297/1/3 - Kilsby Tunnel

A railway tunnel built in 1838 on the London and Birmingham Main Line by Robert Stephenson. The North and south portal tunnel entrances are limestone ashlar. Parabolic arch with moulded stone surround and machiolated cornice. Walls extending back on either side framing tunnel entrance, brick with stone coping. There is also a ventilation shaft of random blue and red brick with stone dressings. Circular with square recesses around the base, machicolated stone frieze and castellated parapet

{1} Length of tunnel constructed in 1838 as part of London - Birmingham Railway, still in use. Tunnel 1 mile and 682 yards long, 28 feet high and 25 feet wide. The tunnel is of national importance. Monumental stone entrances at either end of tunnel; two large ventilation shafts (60 foot diameter) of brick with crenellated tops. Pump engine house for construction of tunnel not located.

{5} As work started it was an amazing sight, 1,250 men, 200 horses and 13 steam engines first sank 18 working shafts. At 160 ft deep thay then started to dig horizontally the mile and three quarter long tunnel.

{6} Railway tunnel, 2400 yards long, by Robert Stephenson. Part of the work of the London-Birmingham Railway, opened in 1838.

<1> STARMER G., 1995, IRIS REPORT FORM, (checked) (Notes). SNN51706.

<2> LELEUX R, 1976, A REGIONAL HISTORY OF THE RAILWAYS OF GREAT BRITAIN, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN56644.

<3> BIDDLE G; NOCK O.S., 1983, THE RAILWAY HERITAGE OF BRITAIN, 69 (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN56645.

<4> Starmer G.H., 1996, Some Transport Features Between Weedon and Junction 18 On The M1, (unchecked) (Report). SNN3582.

<5> Burman, A., 2003, The Wild West Town Of Kilsby, (checked) (Article). SNN103927.

<6> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p. 276 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<7> Historic England, Kilsby Tunnel, BF017282 (Archive). SNN115363.

<8> Historic England, Undated, England's Landscapes, BF110930 (Archive). SNN114508.

Record last edited

Aug 8 2023 4:11PM