The Tunnel

The Tunnel

The tunnel was under the railway lines at a point where there were two junctions.

One for the branch off to Braford, the other line heading for Leeds

There was also a branch off, into the marshalling yard, where goods trains were made up

Trucks were being moved around all day by a shunting engine

Chuff chuff - clank clank shuffling the trucks

 

The tunnel went underneath taking a footpath, from the commercial side of town to a residential area, it was lit by three dim gas lights' just a pool of light close to the lamp, in between was darkness, you walked from one pool of light to the next

When the war was declared the tunnel was partially blocked, with two walls each end, each wall was half way across the space for only one person to pass through.

This was intended that none of the dim light would escape to show enemy aircraft there was anything there

 

It was eerie passing from daylight through the wall into this dimly lit archway some 50 yards or more long with no light to show where it ended

 

You carefully made your way along the arched passage from light to light

 

When you reach the end you pass through the light block, to again be dazzled by the brightness of the day

 

Wild Rose

Aug 2020

Reviews

[barleygirl]

This is an excellent example of focusing your message to a singular idea/place/feeling. At the beginning, I could hardly fathom writing a story about a tunnel, but at the end, I was amazed at how you made us feel the history of what this tunnels brings to mind for you (& obviously others). At the very beginning, it might be nice to include some way of showing the country or continent becuz Braford & Leeds are not widely recognizable locations for some readers. Also, you have a habit of referring to "the war" (the one you remember) as the only war there ever was & it could be helpful to put in some details to make sure the reader understands which war you mean. (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Wild Rose]

Thank you Margie > Actually as I was writing this I had the image of walking up to it on the riverside > The smelly polluted stream - the bank of earth & rubble built to support the railway marshaling yard; coverd with Rosebay willow earth
That it was a right of way from Howley Hall (Now derelict). The railway builders paid to cross the land by giving the land owners (The owners of the said Howley hall) shares instead of cash

[barleygirl]

You have shared a bunch more excellent details with me, both in your private message & in this reply . . . I hope you can incorporate some of this good material into this story! (((HUGS)))

[Wild Rose]

One of my characters is going to come home with a 'Walking Machine' - early 'Hobby Horse'
read moreOne of my characters is going to come home with a 'Walking Machine' - early 'Hobby Horse'

Surprising what you find when researching what had been invented/discovered at certain times

[Wild Rose]

Oh yes I will have to build a railway > Well two in fact - possibly three > there was one at a place called Northallerton about 40 miles by road and 2 or 3 stage coaches > Bit like the American ' West' - no Red Indians - but some from India - if not there will be in time

[Robert Trakofler]

I love tunnels:) pittsburgh is known as the city of bridges but we almost have as many tunnels; rail tunnels subway tunnels (one that goes under the river:/) mine tunnels are everywhere and we have steam tunnels that heat many of the buildings downtown:) they are creepy and yours is even more creepy than normal...nice job the one you depict in this reminds me of an old railway tunnel we have here that was converted to a bike/walking trail that runs all the way to Washington DC when you enter it you cant see the light on the other side for a while and it feels so ominous