It was cut through the hill immediately to the east of Usk Station.
Usk Tunnel is 234 m long.
Precious little remains of the Coleford Monmouth Usk and Pontypool railway, but at Usk you can see some of the remains in the form of the tunnel, Usk Station, a bridge over the river Usk and a bridge over the road.
The railway was built in 1856 to carry iron ore from the Forest of Dean to furnaces near Nantyglo, but closed in 1955 without developing a successful passenger service.
The tunnel was carved through sandstone and several impressive fossils were found during the tunnel excavation. They now live in the National Museum of Wales at Cardiff.
Both portals are constructed in masonry. While the roof is bricked-lined, the walls and occasional refuges are a mixture of brick and stone. The internal profile of the tunnel varies, notably in the centre marked by a pair of strengthening rings.
It is said that King Edward VIII slept overnight in the tunnel aboard the Royal Train!
The tunnel is now officially part of a delightful footpath – The Old Railway Line. It’s an ideal adventure hike for the young, so go and discover the eerie railway remains!
Usk, Monmouthshire, UK
It was cut through the hill immediately to the east of Usk Station.
Usk Tunnel is 234 m long.
Precious little remains of the Coleford Monmouth Usk and Pontypool railway, but at Usk you can see some of the remains in the form of the tunnel, Usk Station, a bridge over the river Usk and a bridge over the road.
The railway was built in 1856 to carry iron ore from the Forest of Dean to furnaces near Nantyglo, but closed in 1955 without developing a successful passenger service.
The tunnel was carved through sandstone and several impressive fossils were found during the tunnel excavation. They now live in the National Museum of Wales at Cardiff.
Both portals are constructed in masonry. While the roof is bricked-lined, the walls and occasional refuges are a mixture of brick and stone. The internal profile of the tunnel varies, notably in the centre marked by a pair of strengthening rings.
It is said that King Edward VIII slept overnight in the tunnel aboard the Royal Train!
The tunnel is now officially part of a delightful footpath – The Old Railway Line. It’s an ideal adventure hike for the young, so go and discover the eerie railway remains!
Usk, Monmouthshire, UK
