Following on from my picture of the work now underway to refurbish the pedestrian railway bridge in Sydney Gardens, Varian Tye has kindly let me see that there is Network Rail action at last on the portal of the Box Tunnel.
He writes: “I thought your readers may be interested in the recent photos I have taken on the scaffolding job at Box Tunnel. Well done Network Rail contractors what a great job.
When looking at the front of the Tunnel the gap below the scaffold for trains also attracted my attention . The large entrance to the tunnel of course did not really have to be that big to accommodate the trains through it .
Brunel the showman,perhaps one of the greatest of all time, decided that this tunnel needed to be something special. Thank you Isambard.”
The scaffolding indicates that work to repair the stone facade is now finally underway.
He did need to allow for venting steam and smoke. Building the tunnel too tight risked the engine crew as was notable on the later Combe Down tunnel where they occasionally passed out.