Rowthorn Tunnel


Rowthorn Tunnel is a former railway tunnel between and stations southeast of Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England. Some sources refer to the tunnel as "Rowthorne".

Context

The tunnel was built by the Midland Railway on the circuitous Barrow Hill to Pleasley West line known as "The Doe Lea Branch", because it ran for much of its length along the valley of the River Doe Lea.

Structure

The tunnel was single track and long. The line from the north approached on a gradient of 1 in 50 which continued through the tunnel, making it very difficult to work coal trains southwards.

History

The line was opened without ceremony on 1 September 1890. It initially provided a service of three trains each way between and, taking about an hour from end to end.sfn|Hurst|1987|p=76sfn|Hurst|1987|p=77rws|Pleasley West