Whitrope Tunnel, Railway tunnel in Scottish Borders, United Kingdom
Whitrope Tunnel is a railway passage through Scottish Borders that cuts through red sandstone and limestone rock on an S-shaped course. Both entrances remain sealed today due to structural damage from roof collapses that made the tunnel unsafe.
Construction began in 1859 for the North British Railway, with over 600 workers laboring underground until completion in 1862. The project faced serious obstacles from constant water flooding that required continuous pumping during excavation.
The tunnel stands as a testament to Victorian railway engineering, receiving Category B listed building status for its architectural and historical value.
The tunnel is closed to visitors, with both entrances sealed and the railway line no longer operational. The structure can be viewed from nearby paths, though access to the site itself is restricted due to ongoing safety concerns.
During construction, workers encountered an extraordinary flow of 400 gallons per minute of water seeping through one shaft, forcing them to build complex drainage systems. This challenge became one of the tunnel's defining engineering moments.
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