Did we enjoy this? Well certainly we did! You certainly hit the paydirt with this one. Beautiful woods walk with buried treasure at the end. Most Enjoyable!

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

Hi Jim, glad you enjoyed it. Take care. Ron

A superb find, Ron! That tunnel definitely deserves to be preserved, and it's a crime if its just allowed to moulder away. I liked your idea of taking it home with you, but I doubt if your dear lady would have appreciated it.

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

Hi Jim, very little chance of sneaking that into the garden un-noticed. Keep flying. Ron

I was surprised the tunnel was open as they normally seal them up. But there is a door a little bit in I think. Now you need to find the other end to see what they did there 😉

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Paul, I'm on it. Ron

This was a super adventure Ron! I don't know the area around Drybrook at all - I see there is a monster number of former lines around Cinderford just below it. Fabulous tunnel - glad you found it. I see that the tramway usually opens once a year - Lea Bailey Tramway - it serves a still working mine. It last opened last September for an open day. They are hoping to expand it further. Great work here Ron. Take care, Paul.

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

Hi Paul, I'm having to do some storm dodging to get any filming done, is this weather ever going to settle down. With your work ethic you must find this very frustrating. As you say there are lots to see in the Dean and a nice place to be. Keep smiling. Ron

@westcountrywanderings

Жыл бұрын

@@ParkinsonsWalks Yes, it is! I have just filmed a couple of locations and I was hoping to get up to speed to get some 'in the bag' for the wintertime, but, no, it is going to be raining again! All good fun! Cheers Ron. Paul

That was an absolute magnificent adventure! Finding your target and after discovering the Lea Bailey Light Railway. Marvelous. I read a bit about them on their website. Last archive posted in Sept 2022 talking about being open to the public so that is fairly recent. Something about this particular trip really struck me. The great green forest and the deep cuttings. I want to thank you Ron for that particular little jaunt. That's why I enjoy your channel so much. Simply Beautiful.

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Charles, you are very kind. Ron

Hello Ron - greetings from Poland. What a brilliant adventure. Trekking through a beautiful forest, finding a private railway, tramways and old disused mainline. Culminating at the entrance to a most fascinating tunnel. Right in the middle of nowhere, The stonemasons art at its finest. Rest in peace Drybrook Tunnel. See you again very soon. Stay safe please

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

Hi Michael, hope you are both well, the finds God's were certainly smiling on that one. Take care. Ron

I lovely find, a lovely film. Plus the bonus tunnel of the tramway. What more could you ask for? A torch perhaps! 😂😂

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

You always make me smile Simon, thanks for that. I have now bought a torch. Keep smiling. Ron

There is a post apocalyptic feel about the remains of track and tunnel consumed by a forest....or perhaps the remnants of an ancient civilisation. .

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

You are right Christina, so atmospheric. Ron

Hi Ron. I thought I'd message you from an earlier post. Thank you so much for your thoughtful message. It's been a surreal few weeks with Sumac suddenly so sick. I take her to the vet daily for injections of mostly water that is meant to clear out toxins from her system. She was quite jaundiced last week (visible from inside ear flaps and whites of her eyes) but the vet is pleased that this has disappeared. She's on three antibiotics, appetite stimulators, anti-nauseants and pills derived from milk thistle to help her liver. She's starting to eat again, and as always, she 's ready to play ball in the garden. We're hopeful Ron, she must have had a nasty infection that caused all this. Anyway, steady as she goes and at least she's not losing weight, still has plenty of energy and surprisingly doesn't mind going to the vet for her daily routine. Her actual owner asked me years ago if she should get pet health insurance (surprisingly expensive) and I said no, I would be the insurance policy. Let's say I'm working for the vet right now, but I can't think of a better way to spend my money. I'll keep you and Pauline updated and thanks for your positive thoughts...they travel quite well across the Atlantic. Your friend, James

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

Hi James, I think that sounds positive, hope so anyway, the problem with pets is they can't tell you how they feel and that is a bit frightening, so you worry, we are all the same. If you have to go out on the streets busking to pay the bills, don't forget to take your camera. Look after yourself. Hang in there Sumac. Ron

Hats off to you Ron.. if you hadn't risked yourself injury going to find that lovely tunnel opening the world would still be wondering if.. But with your wonderful knowledge of our beautiful part of the world we can now love what you have found from times gone by.. Stay safe & keep up with the great work we all enjoy & love watching your video's.

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

Paul. you are very very kind. Thank you. Ron

Good morning Ron. That was more entertaining that anything on TV today. Those forest slopes look horrendous. Perhaps abseiling is the answer, though that might impinge on your excellent camerawork.

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

We fearless camera persons can cope Rodney, well in my dreams anyway. Take care. Ron

What a magical place 😊

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

It certainly had that feel about it Wendy. Ron

The intrepid explorer triumphs again. Well done Ron. Mike.

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

I'm not sure about the intrepid Mike. Keep smiling. Ron

Good morning Ron and thanks for a great video. Your tenacity has paid off and the reward was certainly worth it; the craftmanship of Hawthorns tunnel is staggering and a lasting tribute to the men who would have slaved away with basic tools and only candles for light during its constriction. I went into some detail about the tunnel and the line on which it is built in my last post, so can add little more this time. However, to recap on a couple of things. Someone else has already commented on the reason for the lack of soot on the roof of the tunnel but, just to clarify, no passenger service ever went through the tunnel from either direction. It was originally planned that trains from the south would go through, via the tunnel, to Mitcheldean Road, but this never happened as trains terminated at Drybrook. Rail traffic from the north was mineral traffic only and went through the tunnel to Drybrook Quarry just to the south of the tunnel. However, as part of the war effort, the rails were lifted in 1917 and not re-laid until 1928 so there was a gap of 11 years when no trains passed through the tunnel. After re-laying, traffic to Drybrook Quarry was restored but the line was still little used until final closure in 1953. Admiralty use of the tunnel for ammunition storage for several years from 1939 also meant that little traffic passed through. So there we have the reason for no soot on the roof! From my latest investigations the Lea Valley gold mine railway now looks to be defunct. As has already been mentioned, their website has not been updated for some time and their aspiration to reach Hawthorns (Euroclydon) tunnel are extremely unlikely to come to fruition. Concerning gradients; I can see why you were unsure as to whether you were on the trackbed or not due to the steepness of the terrain. Many lines in the Forest of Dean had severe gradients and this one was no exception. To recap from my last post, the line had a tough ruling gradient of 1 in 40 from Mitcheldean Road. After this, the line descended at 1 in 42 and then at 1 in 54 through the shorter Drybrook tunnel. The summit of the line was in Hawthorns tunnel. So well done for slogging up the hill!! Regarding the water course that you found at the tunnel portal, this is Bailey Brook and it does indeed pass under and roughly follows the line of the tunnel. It approaches from the north east and goes underground at the 200 Metre contour in Hom wood. It then passes obliquely beneath the tunnel to emerge at the other portal. As to whether the slender remains of the old building you discovered was a platelayers hut, I have no idea!! I’m pretty certain it is railway related and, out there in the middle of nowhere, a plate layers hut would be the best guess. Well that’s a little more detail on this line and Hawthorns tunnel to add to my last post. Thanks again for your “intrepidness” in bringing us the beautiful Hawthorns tunnel Ron and I look forward to your next adventure. Best wishes Trev.

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

Hi Trev, can you imagine working in those conditions, horrible. Good to see you solved the no soot mystery. Seems a lot of work and money for so little use. So, the Lea Valley, has no gold then. Damn! Back to relying on the lottery. Steep gradient, lots of leaves on the line - not good So the brook traverses the tunnel on a natural course and didn’t need to be piped, I bet the builders were glad about that. Brilliant research Trev, answers all my questions and more. Thanks again. Ron

@757trev

Жыл бұрын

@@ParkinsonsWalks Thanks Ron. As an aside, I went down to Coleford GWR Museum yesterday as I hadn't been for a long time. Pete, Dennis and Charles were there and remembered your visit well. As you know, the place is incredible, but could do with some TLC. However, with just the three of them involved it is a real challenge for them. I am thinking of offering to help them out a bit when I have a few spare moments, but would certainly encourage anyone who can get there, and hasn't been before, to go along and support them with a visit. There is so much to see and they talk you through everything. The tour of the signal box, with working block section instruments, is amazing as is the engine shed with a saddle tank engine where you can go onto the footplate and have everything explained to you. Its only £4 entry - an absolute bargain! Best wishes Trev.

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

Hi Trev, there is an issue on KZread at the moment which is preventing me from replying to your comment. I can see it but when I click on it it disappears. This has happened before and they usually get it sorted. I hope this gets through. Happy Coronation. Ron

Ron, between your wonderful photography and description of standing in front of the tunnel, Sumac and I felt that we were standing next to you, taking it all in. Of course OVM suggested that she might have been able to squish through the gap in the door. I'm not sure about that...although she has been keeping fit playing catch in the yard. Thanks for a very enjoyable walk Ron.

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

Hi James, I didn't try it but most tunnels have a good echo reverb in them. I wonder what Sumac would make of that. Great to hear from you, from you, from you. Ron

@jamesweekes6726

Жыл бұрын

@@ParkinsonsWalks Hah! OVM is still smiling at that one Ron!

A wonderful adventure, full of discoveries. The stonework on the bridge and the tunnel was wonderful and you captured the majesty, the sights and sounds of the forest, topping it all with the thrill of finding a mysterious railway which serves a gold mine. I can't match that but as an adventurous child I came across an abandoned narrow gauge line up in the Kent North Downs, only it was very far from abandoned as two large gentlemen loudly informed me. It was a very private plaything of a man who went on to become Governor of the Bank of England.

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

Wonderful memory Philip, I bet you vacated the area a bit quick, I know I would have done. Ron

Good morning Ron. Hope all is well. That was a great adventure and what a lovely place to go. Some of those trees were so high and straight. It always makes me think of the amount of effort that went in to driving those tracks through by hand. And what the countryside looked like, it must have been something to see. Take care Pete

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

Glad it wasn't me on the end of the pickaxe Pete. Ron

Well done on actually finding the tunnel, excellent stuff..! Its so sad to see these old tunnels in an abandoned state, but also magical too..! Most have been bricked-up, so its nice to see the tunnel from a different propestive. Well done to you again for making such an effort..!

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

My pleasure Maurice, thanks for watching. Ron

I live in Drybrook, I must show this to my mum!

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

I hope it brings back some lovely memories. Ron

Glad you found that one. It's a very peaceful spot. I've driven past this hundreds of times and never knew there was a tunnel there, until recently. Proof that history is all around us.

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

History certainly is all around in the Forest of Dean Kelvin. Ron

Hi Ron, playing catch up again - never seem to be able to keep up with these youTube videos. One step forward and three back at times it seems. This was really a fascinating video, especially with the culmination of your discovery of that tunnel. Your voice really reflected an admiration of the craftsmanship of that beautiful tunnel entrance - it was quite moving listening to you paying homage to those craftsmen. Will have to share this with my brother, who lives in the Forest, to see if he knows much about the history. Take care, Ian.

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

Hi Ian, good to hear from you, I know what you mean about trying to keep up on KZread. There was indeed something special about the feel in that area, happens now and again as I'm sure you know. Keep smiling. Ron

Thankyou for doing the video Ron..im glad you took my advice and follow my directions..looks so much different on camera and like you said its a beautiful place. .. ive walked through it many times as a kid and with my daughter's

@ParkinsonsWalks

4 ай бұрын

Thanks very much for the heads-up. The film was very well received. Ron

On the other side of the river in the industrial park is a ststion left as it closed and well preserved, plus a tunnel and a forgotten Royal Palace, and sights from the Harry Potter films.

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

Which industrial park Peter? Ron

Thank you - a great video. I especially enjoy your attention to detail.

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

That is very kind of you to say so. Ron

What a magical place,you found, Ron! And discovery of the elusive tunnel, and the miniature railway! Very interesting video, there!

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

It was a nice day to be out filming as well Michael, makes a change. Ron

This is wonderful, Ron. An epic trek through the forest, rewarded with a truly beautiful tunnel. Such skill and attention to detail, hidden from the public gaze, but now recorded for posterity in your lovely video. Well done. Stay safe. Ron

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Ron. I went filming yesterday on the only sunny day this week. For once the weather gods were smiling on me. Keep smiling. Ron

@abandonedrailwaya2470

Жыл бұрын

@@ParkinsonsWalks they got the forecast completely wrong for this week. It was supposed to be up to 20C by Wednesday. Now they’re saying a warm dry spell the week after next. Next week looking unsettled and and windy again. I did manage to visit Shipston Station site on Monday, so the filming is now completed. There will be three videos, total run time nearly 2 1/2 hours. I’d better get editing! Ron

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

@@abandonedrailwaya2470 Brilliant Ron, looking forward to it. Ron

There was the story that during WWII the army tried to send an ammunition train into Drybrook Tunnel for storage only to find the rails had been removed already.

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

Hi Julian, I thought that was Mosley Green tunnel, but you could be right. Talk about dad's army! Thanks for posting. Ron

Well Ron. That was some find. All your efforts finally paid off. And fancy finding that collection of tracks and associated wagons! Now you'll have to find out more of what's going on there. The tunnel is magnificent. Such detail in the stonework and almost as good as the day it was built. Presumably, there was some sort of locked door preventing any further access. A really magical place. They should put a preservation order on it. That's worthy of a grade one listed structure. Just out of interest, how long is that tunnel? We'll done. Super film.

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

Hi Both, I believe it is around 600 mtrs Lionel. Apparently the narrow gauge started life looking for gold!. Stand back, I'm first in the queue. Take care. Ron

I was saying ..keep going youre nearly there😂

@ParkinsonsWalks

4 ай бұрын

I could hear you, I wondered who it was!! Ron

Visited it today. Beautiful.

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Ron, I shared your emotions at finding the tunnel portal although, in fairness, you had done all the donkey work. Now I know what Stanley felt when he discovered Dr Livingstone. Is the other end of the tunnel a subject for future exploration? I hope so. Thank you so much for another gem. Peter

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

Hi Peter, hope you are well, I did think the portal was worth the effort, and an adequate reward. The other end of the tunnel, if I go I'll take a torch! Take care. Ron

Morinin’ Ron, magnificent, truly magnificent, perhaps one of your best explores filled with the uncertainty of what you might find, well done!! You did full justice to the grandeur of the scene, it must have been spectacular to have been there and felt the change of temperature, heard the sounds and breathed in the atmosphere and wondered about how all this came to pass. What an amazing find the Lea Bailey Light Railway was, right off the set of an Indiana Jones film. Wikipedia tells me that it was built to service the Bailey Level Gold Mine, so perhaps you’re going to set off a gold rush with the whole PW family turning up to pan, not for gold of course, but for photos. The tunnel itself was a great tribute to the craftsmanship of those times; just look how well it’s stood the test of time. I had a bit of a find this week, a steam engine. I had to cross town to drop my car off at a garage and decided to walk back to catch the metro to get home (not that the metro gets to the top of our hill mind) anyway the route took me to the RENFE workshops (RENFE is the Spanish equivalent of BR) and there tucked out of sight is a small 0-2-0 shunter built in Belgium for the railways down here. It’s on a plinth and looks structurally very sound but in great need of some care and attention. The local train association were trying to get it restored and moved to a more prominent position in the main train station but it doesn’t look like much has happened so far. Weather report is not good temperatures which were abnormally high these last few days are set to rise into the 30s, no rain yet and water restrictions have been imposed in some areas, not here so far. I’m really glad you went back and even more relieved that you didn’t try to go down those embankments last time. From below you can really appreciate the steepness and depth of the cutting. Great video really enjoyed this one, well done. Look forward to reading the PW comments on this one there are some good ones already. Have a great weekend and good luck from Spain!!

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

Hi David, always good to hear from you, glad you enjoyed the explore. As you say, a tribute to the men who built it. Bags me first in the gold rush queue. When you say the local train assosiation are hoping to restore the steam train, is that to display condition or running. Your weather isn’t sounding good. Stay safe. Ron

@davidberlanny3308

Жыл бұрын

@@ParkinsonsWalks Hi Ron, I think they were hoping that it would be cosmetically restored, probably by the RENFE workshops, and then moved, perhaps by rail, to the main station which is a couple of miles away and then placed on a plinth. As far as I know there is only one workshop authorised to overhaul steam engines and that is in Lleida in catalunya (bordering France on the mediterranean side) the ARMF workshops, thats a trip of about 800 Km (or a two week walk with a red flag in front of you!!). I cant see why it couldnt be simply painted by volunteers, its something I would like to find out about. That said its so dry here that the corrosion I could see may well be surface rust so its unlikely to deteriorate quickly. I knew of the existence of the engine but didnt think it would be accesible, well it isnt really. I I could just make out the dome and cab from the street, right by a gate, when I touched the gate, it opened so I just walked in took a couple of photos and walked out, there was no one there. It really made my day!! ......... I didnt note its number down in my book ..... shame on me 🤣🤣🤣

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

I love that feeling of reward when you can get a sneeky look at something, well done you. Ron

@davidberlanny3308

Жыл бұрын

@@ParkinsonsWalks Hi Ron, just finishing off my work for today before starting on my Job list, well Núrias job list and was listening to a livestream on KZread and a new subsciber message came up from you. Thank you!! I have got lots of film in the bag but it needs sorted editting and publishing, maybe a new channel name, not sure yet. Over the last few months I post a brief collection on insta you can use this on your computer, as well as your phone, its relatively simple to use, although my efforts are really simple affairs. Its a start anyway Have a great week Just came back for second helpings .... please sir can I have some more!!

Another very interesting route is the track bed from Caldicot to Crick

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Clive, I have made a note. Ron

@757trev

Жыл бұрын

Just down the road from me. Certainly an interesting route

I have walked through the tunnel to find that rails still exist from the time of WW2 when ammunition was stored there. I went in from the Drybrook end. OK it would probably not be possible to get their if you have the same walking ability as Ron, but if you are willing to overcome the over/undergrowth it is accessible.

@ParkinsonsWalks

11 ай бұрын

Hi John, since walking through Tidenham tunnel I like tunnels even more. Did you see any of the features mentioned in Trev's comment? Ron

@johntimbrell

11 ай бұрын

@@ParkinsonsWalks Guess what, Ron. I took the expert workmanship of the tunnel entrance as normal - which is not to say that I didn't appreciate it. It seems like anyone creating something in those past times just thought it normal to to make things pleasing to the eye. I am amazed how things like utiliarian cast iron bed frames and farm machinery made out of cast iron had 'unecessary' decoration on it which to my eye are works of art. I walked part of the Ross to Grange Court ex railway near to Mitcheldean Road ex Station. Walking towards the A40 to see a dramatic deep cutting which you might care to film. There are a lot of remaining bridges etc in the area.

@ParkinsonsWalks

11 ай бұрын

@@johntimbrell Thanks for the heads-up John. You are right the earlier builders had pride in their work and it shows. Take care. Ron

Thanks, I really enjoyed that, atmospheric.

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Phil, glad you enjoyed it. Ron

No soot as it never ever saw a train! Where you was is Hawthorns/Euroclydon Tunnel, a long tunnel, almost 600m, Drybrook Tunnel is the much shorter one further on, only about 60m. No trains got as far as this, it's only use was ammo storage in WW2.

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

Perhaps they used a steam engine to deliver the ammo, Keep the romance alive. Ron

@StavTech

Жыл бұрын

@@ParkinsonsWalks battery loco in the tunnel!

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

@@StavTech Brilliant info Stav, I guess with ammo stored there that was safest. Thanks Ron

You can sometimes walk through the tunnel; there are narrow-gauge tracks laid in part of the tunnel. Access is also possible from the the southern portal

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Clive, if you read Trev Joyes comments on this channel a few weeks ago, it s a very interesting tunnel. Thanks Ron

I'm going to find that next

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

Take care a little bit dodgy in places. Ron

@pioneertechnolgy

Жыл бұрын

@@ParkinsonsWalks Thanks ron

Due to recent "damage" it is now possible to enter the short tunnel at Tintern and the long tunnel at Redbrook

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

I don't know if the 'Wire works' bridge is open yet. Ron

@clivemowforth8668

Жыл бұрын

@@ParkinsonsWalks Due to open early May

@757trev

Жыл бұрын

@@clivemowforth8668 They are just finishing the decking. Should have been opened this month (Easter).

@757trev

Жыл бұрын

Do you know if the tunnel at Newland on the Coleford branch is accessible?

@clivemowforth8668

Жыл бұрын

@@757trev No, unless you can get permission from the owner who lives by the portal at the Newland end

I have been there 2016

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

Nice place to visit. Ron

A group of volunteers started doing work a few years ago ...nothings been done for a while .. that mine is actually an old gold mine apparently

@ParkinsonsWalks

4 ай бұрын

Gold mine! Interesting. Ron

@pidster767

4 ай бұрын

@@ParkinsonsWalks 1906 there are a couple of vids I actually watched after yours ... Quite interesting..had lots of investors but didn't produce anything profitable

there must be another tunnel in drybrook as i lived in a bungalow which was built above a disused tunnel in drybrook...

@ParkinsonsWalks

10 ай бұрын

Yes there are two, one short one long. Ron

Come look around the Cotswolds

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

I do and have done quite frequently. Problem is my Parkinson's is restricting my mileage these days. P.W.

I’ve always known of this but not it’s where abouts and yet this line dispite being fully built never saw a train it never opened the rails were laid in the late 1880s and pulled in 1917

@ParkinsonsWalks

18 күн бұрын

All that work and skill for naught. Thanks for your comment. Ron

Interesting video but I was hoping to get some information about the tunnel. For instance, its location, length, date it was built, whether it is fully accessible, when it was closed etc etc. Guess I will head over to Wikipedia !

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

If you scroll down the comments to Trev Joyes comments he answers all your queries. Ron

You're so right, what a waste. So you can't walk through to the other side? That's a shame, can you get to the other portal? Did you work in tv before?

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

Hi Simon, I have watched a lot of tv, but never worked in it. With a good torch you could attempt the walk, and if you read Trev Joyes comments from the last film, it would be interesting, but always dangerous. Ron

I hate that they don't even use them enymore ...

@ParkinsonsWalks

Жыл бұрын

All down to money Jenson. Ron