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@dashcamexplorationuk1692

2 жыл бұрын

I love your content I'm Subscribing

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

@@dashcamexplorationuk1692 Thank you!!

@dashcamexplorationuk1692

2 жыл бұрын

@@pwhitewick your welcome

Born in Strood. Medway Towns resident all my life. 57 years. Thank you for visiting our area and making a really interesting video

Charles Dickens used the Signalman and box at Higham in one of his Ghost stories, his home was not very far from the station. It is documented that before the SER took over the original company used locos to tow barges through. Also these were not narrow boats either. They were Thames Barges with the masts struck (lowered) for the passage. The middle hole was enlarged by the SER to provide filling for the water channel under the ballast. The basin at Strood was partially filled in and became a goods yard (alas now completely gone as is what was left of the basin/dock), one set of lock gates still are in place (or were until very recently). Great job as ever Guys, thanks for another wonderful video.

@slymandrake

2 жыл бұрын

Oops, just checked my old photos. It was 2010!

Cracking video, Team Whitewick! Loved this one, great little story, well presented. Been through that tunnel many times and never knew any of this. Also Rebecca's facial expressions from the 5 minute mark are particularly entertaining

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Haha. Thanks Tim. It's a little pleasure of mine not noticing until I start to edit!!

@philvanderlaan5942

2 жыл бұрын

Tim you are supposed to say something along the lines of ‘ but we’re not here to see/talk about that ‘ It is a good video.

I worked on the railways and once walked through the tunnels. This was after they had been repaired and shotcreted. They are very large in diameter and very straight. The gap between the two tunnels is a welcome relief. When I walked through, we were pushing a brand new rail mounted on many, wheeled rail horses. It was hard work.

The tunnels were lined a few years ago as chalk falls were causing considerable disruption and the trains restricted to 30 mph in order to prevent serious accidents. When the work was completed,the trains were able to pass through at 70 mph thus making the journey quickly and in complete safety without fear of any obstruction.

You've got to love those bonkers Victorians just as you've got to love these videos of Paul and Rebecca!

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Bonkers indeed

@scootergrant8683

2 жыл бұрын

I know. Testing a tunnel's strength with a mortar. Today you'd be lucky too get a geotechnical engineer to come out within the week with a full team for a day's worth of sophisticated ground tests. What an era.

Canals and Railways living together in a Tunnel, that is bizarre and wasn't expecting that, great video Paul and Rebecca.

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Haha... we weren't too when we started looking into this

Great video P&R. I used to use these tunnels every day and was aware of their unusual history. It’s worth noting that there have been some further developments to bring the story up to date. Nowadays the tunnels are no longer bare chalk but have been coated with shotcrete (sprayed concrete) to line and stabilise them. The lack of a lining, no doubt exacerbated by the stopping of the drainage at the Strood end that Davedave refers to below causing increase of the water table in the chalk, plus the building of a road bypass over the top leading to extra vibration from traffic (the tunnels are not very deep), eventually caught up with the structure so that by the 1990s and early 2000s, chalk falls were a very regular occurrence, and a serious derailment had occurred, so it was becoming a real danger to trains and passengers. Trains were limited to 20 mph. With the speed restrictions, the increasingly frequent closures due to chalk falls, and the anticipated arrival of high speed trains that are heavier and would travel faster due to not stopping at Higham, the inevitable decision was eventually taken to line the tunnels to put a stop to the problems once and for all. So in January 2004 the tunnels were closed for a whole year, during which we had to use the bus. This was a massive project costing £35M to install shotcrete lining throughout the whole length of both tunnels. The result was very beneficial so that now trains can pass at 70 mph without being in danger, and the tunnels are conserved for the use of future generations. There's a very good article on Kentrail.org.uk for further reading.

@danielsmith4627

Жыл бұрын

Prior to the relining of the tunnel I worked in a track maintenance gang. I was part of the "Chalk watch". We would close the line, enter the tunnel and place ourselves in a cave dug out of the chalk about halfway in the strood tunnel and then re open the line to traffic. We were on 12 hour shifts inside the tunnel waiting for trains to pass, close the line and go check for chalk falls. If it was clear we would go back to our cave and reopen the line. Spent close to a year inside there.

@mikebradley4096

Жыл бұрын

@@danielsmith4627 What an unusual job! One to tell the grandkids about. Thanks for being there to keep us safe! Hope the chalk in your little cave never fell on your heads! Mike

I have walked these tunnels several times when I was on BR Permanent Way. Prone to flooding. I remember there used to be Tunnel Patrolmen who’s sole job was to walk the tunnels constantly to check for and remove any chalk that had fallen. Only the outer ends were brick lined, there was just bare chalk inside. Several parts were quite cavernous in the Stroud Tunnel. There was staff access in the lay-by from the fields above, best avoided in wintery and wet weather as it was rather steep, I think there are a purpose bit staircase now. The tunnel was wide enough for track staff to just stand clear when trains passed by.

Funny I rode passed the station today and looked over the road bridge side to look along at the tunnel . Good video.

I lived in Gillingham for over 20 years and never knew that Higham tunnel was also a canal. I've learned something new today. Thanks guys 👍❤️

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

A pleasure Paul

I used to travel this rail route frequently and I am SO pleased to see this fascinating history covered by your good selves. I will add (if I may?) that when I lived aboard a narrowboat moored at Yalding upon the Medway I did wish that the tunnel and the canal were still open to navigation!

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

I can imagine. A very useful little link

@PANTECHNICONRecordings

2 жыл бұрын

I also have traveled through this tunnel hundreds of times, but had not got my head around how the railway/canal combination worked until now!

Wow,P&R,thanks for this one. My company had a depot in that area, near the Thames Estuary.I loved the wild remoteness of the area and when I visited I would slip off and explore the tunnel plus bits of the disused canal.A reminder of happy days.

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Tim. Yes when we filmed the canal section it was all very desolate.

This story is quite an intriguing one, can you imagine travelling on a railway through a tunnel that's got a canal inside it too?

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Completely mad

One of my favourite videos you've done, it was very interesting!

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Happy to hear that!

Walked through and inspected these tunnels many times.

this caught me by surprise, i’ve heard about canal companies building railroads/railways and being used to bring supplies along the very route of the canals but never a track built directly on top of a canal…

Another interesting video guys! Growing up/living in North Kent, I have used this line/these tunnels hundreds of times. Great to see it from the air! I remember when I used it daily while working at Waterloo Station in the 80s the tunnels flooded once. I remember a lovely diesel EMU running from Strood through the tunnels (probably to Gravesend). Keep up the great work guys. Your videos are ALWAYS packed with info and very interesting! 👍

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Brian, very kind.

Higham and Strood tunnels both have suffered Partial Collapse in the Mid 2000s they've since been sprayed with Concrete to prevent another collapse! Also both tunnels were prone to flooding and in the 80s British Rail had to resort to an Emergency Timetable and a Shuttle Service from Rochester - Gravesend they used a Western Region DMU, a Thumper Unit and a Class 33/1 & 4 TC Unit! They're both interesting to me I've travelled through them many times sometimes in the Rear Cab of an EPB with my Father who was a Guard at the Time! An excellent video

Very interesting, I live in Higham and love hearing all the history from the village.

@jennyrickards6047

Жыл бұрын

My maiden name was Higham and I live in Queensland Australia.

fantastically fascinating stuff as always Paul and Rebecca....I live in strood and have heard that in the Higham section of the tunnel there are sealed up horse stable areas from the canal days.dont know how true that is cos I've never seen them but just thought you might like the info. great people.great videos.

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Oh interesting. Could be that it was close to the middle!?

Stumbled across this video and so glad I did. Ironically I live very close to the Strood end of this tunnel and never knew this amazing History so thank you both. Truly amazed.

WOW! That took me back! I lived in Strood for the best part of 20 years and one of my favourite things to do was to cycle along the remaining towpath to Gravesend for some shopping and some 'lunch'...... (hic!) Excellent video as usual. Thank you.

That is a wild history! Great job, keep up the good work!

I visited Higham some years ago - and, of course, I just HAD to get a train to Strood and go through the tunnels! Thanks for a great and interesting video. I love the way that a tunnel mouth has been obviously added at the Strood end.

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Yup, I think there is quite a difference from what it is today to what it looked like many moons ago

Another fascinating video! I know of these tunnels but had no idea they were originally canal tunnels!

Excellent stuff, well done both.

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Peter

I used to live in Higham and remembered the last steam engines running that line. Also the famous pram race that ran right through the village and was more of a pub crawl my dad raced in it, great times, mum worked at Dickens house at the top of the village, it was a girls school at the time.

What an interesting story - Always wondered why the two tunnels was so close together and not one single one

Every episode I am amazed at what you uncover and how much work you put into the research and discovery. Thank You!

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Paul, very kind.

Great video! 👏 The story of the Thames & Medway Canal is a fascinating one, especially the tunnel section. 👍🙂

Another good vid, keep em coming!

Fascinating . Your vlog was packed with really interesting info. Enjoyed that . Thank you.

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you

Fantastic video as always 🥳 Always interested and cannot wait for the next adventure 🛤🚢

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ducky

Really interesting and great video thank you! Can you imagine being on a barge in there when a steam train charged through!

Even tho I’ve lived in Higham my whole life I didn’t know the full story of the tunnel so it’s fun to know more about that! Great video!

That was a great video guys 👍 looking forward to the next one.

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Matt

Thanks for the video. Having spent my childhood in a house directly over the tunnel (at the Strood end) I was particularly interested in the history which I hadn't known about until recently. I read somewhere that the canal was intended to take horse dung generated from the large number of horses in London through to Kent so that it could be used to fertilise the orchards.

What a *fascinating* story! I am amazed that it hasn't made it into a TV documentary ... (that I know about). In any event, thank you for drawing this extraordinary piece of history to our attention.

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, always a pleasure.

A very interesting video Paul and Rebecca. I didn't know about the Railway and Canal sharing a tunnel. A former workmate asked me if canals were built on disused rail lines! I had to explain that canals came before railways!

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Ahhh oops

My ears pricked up when you referred to Tesco’s game curries in the commercial section. Tasty, I thought.

Unusually, I knew all about this tunnel and it’s very unusual history, but it was still great to see some good video of it. I know of no other tunnel that once shared boats and trains at the same time, and I’m not even sure if there is another railway tunnel in this country that was repurposed from a canal tunnel. Talking of lack of lining, there was a serious collapse inside, not that many years ago; it closed the railway for some time.

Excellent video. In the old canal basin at Gravesend was a disarmed motor torpedo boat many years ago. According to my late father it was retained by a paint company for paint teating purposes.

@stevenashby8268

2 жыл бұрын

You are right, my father had his boat moored at the Basin and worked on the MTB, I remember when they got it running, the noise 2 Merlin engines sounded great.

How interesting. I love the little section of the “non-tunnel”. Great idea. Thanks again. Incidentally, I have been talking to an Alan Sartain last Saturday! Small world.

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Haha... Love Alan. Saw him for our School reunion a few years back.

Excellent one 👌

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers Manmeet

Strood resident here! The tunnels have been closed several times since the 60s because of chalk falls. The last occasion was for an entire year in 2004 for major repairs.

Fascinating stuff, and the "doobry-doos" are back, yeah!

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Always!!

Really fascinating, I had wondered why there was the small open section in the middle. I guess I assumed it was an artefact of how it was built, or something.

well done guys loving your newer vids i thinks you've cracked the code now really watchable

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Woosh. Means a lot.

@Alan_Watkin

2 жыл бұрын

@@pwhitewick hi guys i you on your Whitewick's Historical Landscapes facebook page, mite be use,,, maybe lol

Another great and interesting video yet again! There was quite a few mad/unusual engineering ideas during Victorian times...🤔🙂👍

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Yup... also more to follow this coming Sunday!

Excellent stuff - I can’t imagine what the conditions must have been like there for those on the boats whilst a steam train went through the tunnels!

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Yup, thats something I didn't consider! Not best happy i am guessing.

Top Info Guys !!

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers Rex

It makes for a nice cycle ride alongside the canal between higham and Gravesend. I have photos I took about 1980 of the still surviving lock gates at strood

A very intresting story

A great story. I have somewhere a photo of a steam train chugging through a canal . I THINK it was possibly an April Fools joke back in the 90s or even 80s in the Waterways World. I have searched for it online but never saw it again. Something in the back of my mind has suggested it had a caption about the Glastonbury canal....

Very fun tale!

It's just a tunnel. Wait what?! It's not? Please tell me more. It was another great vlog and it does show it was not just a tunnel, but with a lot of history.

Hey getting interesting tunes on your vids

Wow, that has to be the most fascinating tunnel ever :)

Well, I aren't never heard that story of the shared tunnels before, and I have read a lot of books.

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Me too!!

Oh yes...! In the 90's, I was on a telecoms job there. We used to call the gap between the tunnels The Layby. In the winter, you could have a real gale coming through there. We used to see rabbits, pheasants, adders, all sorts of birds, depending on the time of year...

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Love that John!

Wow would have loved to see the rail and canal together. Terrible idea. Really enjoyed that thanks. Please stay safe and take care

hi paul and rebecca , yet another interesting video , and yes paul its bucket lmao , well done again and thank you guys :)

Interesting!

Enjoyed the film

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Bumble

Interesting how minds think of "solutions" throughout time with what they have at that time!

Never heard of Train & Canal sharing the same Tunnel b4!!! 🤔🚂🚂🚂

The thick jumpers are out - it's autumn!

Added pouch! Every little helps!

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Most certainly does...

It's definitely bucket!

@ANTONYTHEDRAWINGMAN

2 жыл бұрын

dear Liza,dear Liza!!!!

Loving your hair Rebecca🤗

A most curious arrangement. So, with the trains on the towpath and the tunnel 20 feet high, how were the canal barges propelled through the tunnel? Were they all steam powered by that time?

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

I think they must have poled?

Like your new hairstyle

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks.... oh... you mean Rebecca?

@rzholland

2 жыл бұрын

@@pwhitewick Yes her hair is nice also......

How can you have Black Friday without Thanksgiving? :D

Interesting presentation, thanks. But I "disliked" it. Why? Adverts..... :-(

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Apologies for attempting to reclaim back a small proportion of the costs in making videos!

The boats using the tunnel-were they barges or narrowboats?

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Barges. Well Thames Barges with sails

As suggested in EDS20

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks David!!

The tunnel was closed for repairs between 2004 and 2005.

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Thats quite some time!

If only the truth could be told about that tunnel, my mate Peter Scott had the the chalk fall in on his train.

Well l never interesting cheers for posting👍👍

Banana time in the bushes 🙂

Bag? I am wondering if Mrs Whitewick been drinking her new hair colour, or simply mixed it up a bit too strong. :-) Instead of the dodgy track on stilts, perhaps it would have been more fun if the railway company could have put their trains on barges, or had carriages that floated like boats.

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Now that would have been interesting!

Must be the oldest tunnel still in use by the railways, any other contenders?

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Almost certainly yes. Very good point. Built 1824 so unless there are some old tramway tunnels still in use that would make sense.

Maybe I missed it but what are the poppies for?

@Matt-pt3vq

2 жыл бұрын

Remembrance Poppy en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance_poppy

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Matt

3 Seconds ago? I must be dreaming.

@sevensprings460

2 жыл бұрын

No, it is real.

A railway on stilts? In a canal tunnel? Shame that didn't survive into the era of railway photography

Sorry, I went away to install pouch, I'm back now!

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

YEEEEES Andy

… so did it get lined eventually?

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Ah yes... pretty surenthe railway lined it when SER took over

Great Video. Thank you! Rebecca looks even better with her new hair. She looks EVEN YOUNGER which makes Paul seem like a dirty old man. No, just joking. Love your channel and I think both of you are great .

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Harsh Paul... fair, but harsh

Interesting content, well presented, but why does Paul do all of the talking? Rebecca only comes in for the adverts.

I'm not a fan of adverts. If you must have one, place it at the end so on subsequent viewings it doesn't get in the way of the content. If you want some ideas watch a Jay Foreman video

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

We have 1 x 90 second advert per month. So that's around 40 mins minimum content with 1.5 min advert. I'm not sure many outlets could claim the same. Insert timings completely depends on the stipulation of the advertiser I'm afraid.

@x91w

2 жыл бұрын

@@pwhitewick If I watch this in 5 years time will the advert still be present?

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

@@x91w indeed it will, but you will be in the significant minority as 99.8% of views will be in the first week

@x91w

2 жыл бұрын

​@@pwhitewick I regularly dip into your videos. I have everyone one so far on my phone so that on my travels I can "Go and see the missing water tower" so to speak.

Not even 7 minutes! This isn't helping my Whitewick addiction!

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

We can only apologise Robin... next Sunday... 12 mins

A good video ruined by propaganda carp in the middle.

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

A good comment ruined by a big fish in the middle

@Matt-pt3vq

2 жыл бұрын

You don’t need to be so sPIKEy about it Alan

@666JPF

2 жыл бұрын

Propaganda?

@alanhunter2051

2 жыл бұрын

@@Matt-pt3vq I wasn't rude or derogatory.

@alanhunter2051

2 жыл бұрын

@@666JPF I'm dyslexic and it doesn't always write what I say.

Most of that video was taken up advertising load of crap unsubbed

@pwhitewick

2 жыл бұрын

Most.... or 90 seconds? 90 seconds from the last 6 weeks of videos which contain no adds. So that's approx 1 hour and 10 mins of videos. I'd love to know other platforms you use that offer the same ratio.

@666JPF

2 жыл бұрын

Ste…. This isn’t an airport… you don’t need to announce your departure.