Return to Kettleness Railway Tunnel

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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.

Kettleness Tunnel Kettleness Tunnel

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.

Kettleness Tunnel Escape Tunnel Kettleness Tunnel Escape Tunnel Kettleness Tunnel Escape Tunnel

Theres an interesting variety of coloured minerals leaching through the brickwork in places.

Kettleness Tunnel mineral formations

 

Rosedale East Mines, Low Baring, Old Kilns

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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.
Old Kilns Rosedale Ironstone Mines
Old Kilns Rosedale Ironstone Mines
Old Kilns Rosedale Ironstone Mines
Old Kilns Rosedale Ironstone Mines
The upper parts of the kilns have gradually collapsed and are spilling out through the arches.
Old Kilns Rosedale Ironstone Mines
Old Kilns Rosedale Ironstone Mines
Old Kilns Rosedale Ironstone Mines
Old Kilns Rosedale Ironstone Mines

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.

Ventilation Chimney Rosedale Ironstone Mine

Rosedale East Mines, High Baring, New Kilns

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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.

New Kilns Rosedale Ironstone Mines
New Kilns Rosedale Ironstone Mines
New Kilns Rosedale Ironstone Mines
New Kilns Rosedale Ironstone Mines

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.

New Kilns Rosedale Ironstone Mines
New Kilns Rosedale Ironstone Mines
New Kilns Rosedale Ironstone Mines
New Kilns Rosedale Ironstone Mines

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.

New Kilns Rosedale Ironstone Mines
New Kilns Rosedale Ironstone Mines

There are four small tunnels / flues entering the faces of the bay at the base.
New Kilns Rosedale Ironstone Mines
New Kilns Rosedale Ironstone Mines

Rosedale East Mines, High Barring Cottages

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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.

Black Houses Rosedale Ironstone Mines
Black Houses Rosedale Ironstone Mines
Black Houses Rosedale Ironstone Mines

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.

Black Houses Rosedale Ironstone Mines

Sparrow Lane Bridge, Guisborough

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Sparrow Lane followed the line of what is now Pytchley Road, with the bridge passing under the dismanted Guisborough and Brotton railway line.
Buiried Sparrow Lane Bridge, Guisborough
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.
Buiried Sparrow Lane Bridge, Guisborough
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.
Buiried Sparrow Lane Bridge, Guisborough
I would guess the bridge was filled-in when estate to the south was built.

Sandsend Tunnel

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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.
Sandsend Tunnel Portal
Sandsend Tunnel Portal Reinforcement

Inside the tunnel appeared more stable, although we only ventured a little way due to time constraints.
Sandsend Tunnel

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