Show on map After a years break I made a return to the Kettleness Tunnel to get a few more photos, the condition of the tunnel hasnt changed noticeably.
 
We ventured into the small side tunnel used in construction about halfway along for the first time, after a short distance daylight becomes visible at the end.
 
Theres an interesting variety of coloured minerals leaching through the brickwork in places.
Show on map The 16 arches of the old kilns are as prominent in the valley as the new kilns also being around 90m long.
There are 4 kilns with 4 arches each, the arches are about 4-5m wide.
The upper parts of the kilns have gradually collapsed and are spilling out through the arches.
Above the arches is a ventilation chimney associated with the mine, which stands 7.5m high with a small door at the base allowing a view inside.
Show on map The three large bays of the calcining kilns are about 90m long and can be easily seen from all around the valley.
The iron ore mined here was carbonated which required calcining before smelting.
In one of the bays the retaining wall which looks to have been anchored with large wires has collapsed, the faces of wall were once lined with wrought iron which was removed when the mine was abandoned.
Ironstone and coal would loaded into the top and calcined ore drawn out from the bottom, It has been estimated that each kiln could produce around 2000 tons of calcined ore a week using about 80 tons of coal. In a more complete bay the top courses of fire bricks are balancing precariously on small pins.
There are four small tunnels / flues entering the faces of the bay at the base.
Show on map The remains of a house complete with chimney and fireplace still stands by the track before New Kilns.
Show on map There are substantial remains of a row of cottages above the New Kilns, known by some as Black Houses although I think that might just relate to buildings closer to the main track.
The mines and railway closed between 1926 and 1929, so presumably the cottages were abandoned at the same time.
Directly adjacent to the cottages are a block of workshops.
Show on map A single wall remains by the side of the track, the stucture once held a water tank for trains on the Rosedale Railway
It can be easily located walking down from the Lion Inn
Show on map The culvert tunnels through a sizeable embankment at the head of the valley, and carries the River Seven under the railway.
The tunnel must have been built some time before 1865 when the line opened, but is still in very good condition
Show on map Sparrow Lane followed the line of what is now Pytchley Road, with the bridge passing under the dismanted Guisborough and Brotton railway line.
The North-West edge of the bridge appears to be present in the undergrowth, with an arch visible just under ground, the top row of stone poke out just below the level of the adjacent path.
More stonework is visible at the top of steps on the south side, although the main area on the south is currently inaccessible due to thick undergrowth.
I would guess the bridge was filled-in when estate to the south was built.
Show on map Part of the Middlesbrough & Guisborough Railway the station was closed in 1964 when line closed, the station building is now a private house with the line running into the garden after this platform.
Show on map When I last visited the Sandsend end was locked, but the Kettleness end was open (although requiring a journey through the shorter Kettleness tunnel to reach it)
The track between the two is very overgrown and the tunnel portal in poor condition, the seaward side is angled and looks like it may collapse within a few years.
A sizable heap of mud has washed through the roof which is held up by a metal arch, although its hard to tell how long that has been in place.
Inside the tunnel appeared more stable, although we only ventured a little way due to time constraints.
I need to return and take more photos as this visit predated me having a DSLR.
Rikj has some amazing shots of the rest of the tunnel on Flickr