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Birky Bank, nr Grantshouse, Berwickshire.
| NGR: | NT 79640 67220 |
| WGS84: | 55.89767, -2.32716 |
| Length: | 244 m |
| Vert. Range: | Not recorded |
| Altitude: | Not recorded |
| Geology: | Not recorded |
| Tags: | Tunnel, ManMade, Lost |
| Registry: | second |
Railway tunnel (19th Century), sealed.
Built 1845-46, sealed 1979. This tunnel is situated a short distance N of the highest point of the Edinburgh-Newcastle main line of the former North British Rly. It suffered a major roof collapse (with loss of life) during pre-electrification reflooring works in Spring 1979, being subsequently sealed and replaced by a (ECML) diversion around the hillside to the W. [Canmore]
NT 7964 6722 (N entrance) to NT 7957 6702 (S entrance)
Alternative Names: Cockburnspath Railway Tunnel, Birky Bank Tunnel
Notes: Closure of the tunnel required a new East Coast Main Line cutting immediately to the west, which in turn required realignment of the A1 road.
The two workers who died were entombed in the tunnel collapse, with recovery being deemed too dangerous. There is a memorial to them near to the site.
Links and Resources:
This entry was last updated: 2024-10-13 23:14:52
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