Sheffield Machester Railway

[neddy]

Feb 8, 1845

Sheffield and Manchester Railway.- On Thursday week, the Directors of this undertaking, after leaving a Board Meeting at Glossop, on the day previous, proceeded to inspect the various works in progress along the line, beginning with the Wood-head tunnel, and after ascending and descending several of the shafts, expressed themselves perfectly satisfied that nothing was wanting to expedite and ensure the completion of this stupendous cavern by an early period of the summer of this year.

There remain only forty-five yards of driftway, or a weeks work, to be executed, before the mountain will be entirely cut through; and but 1,316 yards of enlargement or widening out, which at the rate of 100 yards per week, a quantity quite possible to perform, will be executed in three months, so that by the 1st of May the excavation and lining will be finished; and another month, at furthest, will admit the passage of an engine and train.

At the Eastern face there is about 750 yards complete; and it would amply repay the curious to visit this spot for the purpose of exploring its subterranean wonders.

About a quarter of a mile from the tunnel mouth will be the Dunford Bridge Station, where there is already a spacious inn, and good accomodation for travellers; this is followed by the Carlcoate contract, ending near Thurlstone, on which the permanent way is nearly all laid.

The Penistone contract is also very forward, and swarms with labourers to Outhwaite, where the Hartley contract begins, with a magnificent stone bridge or viaduct of five arches of forty feet span, and a height of 70 feet from the ground to the centre of the crown.

On viewing this beautiful piece of masonry which has been executed by Messrs. Crowshaw, one is struck with the tapering and apparent slender form of the piers intended to recieve over them such MASSIVE weights, but which, no doubt, have been so nicely calculated by the engineer, as to insure their safety consistent with the elegance of the structure..

In the third pier from the western end, is the identical stone which killed Mr. William Crawshaw, and which his fellow workmen, out of respect to his memory, have lettered with a suitable inscription, bearing the date of the accident.

Beneath the collossal pile, the river Don, at this season but an insignificant stream, runs meandering through; and the strong retaining walls which enclose it will form a security against the impetuosity of its torrent, when heightened by the rain and floods in the depth of winter.

Passing over this bridge, there is another tunnel of 300 yards, of exellent workmanship, also by Messrs. Crawshaw, and some immense cuttings and embankments through Wortley parish to the Wharncliffe contract.

The road through the wood here seems to devide it in two, and the scenery in the distance is delightful.

This, together with the Oughtibridge, Old Park Wood, and Sheffield contracts, are all quite as forward as could be expected, and seemed to leave no doubt on the minds of the Directors, that the whole line may be opened at the same time as the tunnel.

The Sheffield station is let to Mr. Walker, of Manchester; the approaches are made, and every thing denotes a speedy consummation of the Directors cares and anxieties, which have been of no ordinary character.