Standedge Tunnel

The Standedge Tunnel visitor centre ,canal railway line and a bridge for the river to flow over both . the things we used to build amazing ! Of the 3 railway tunnels built , only the tunnel built in 1894 is currently used for rail traffic. Closed in 1943, the canal tunnel was re-opened in May 2001. The Standedge Tunnel Visitor Centre, at the Marsden end of the tunnel, serves as a base for boat trips into the canal tunnel and hosts an exhibition which depicts the various crossings. Tunnel was eventually opened in 1811 and the canal became a through route 17 years after work began. Using the tunnel wasn't an easy option for the boatmen, however. To keep costs down, the canal was built without a towpath. While the horses were led over the hill, the boatmen had to "leg" the boat through the tunnel, by lying on boards across the front of the boat and walking along the walls or roof of the tunnel, which took up to four hours.