Victorian railway tunnel reopens after £1.1m upgrade

Network Rail The entrance to the Eaves Tunnel, a Victorian railway tunnel in Buxton in Derbyshire.Network Rail
The 163-year-old Eaves Tunnel in Buxton was upgraded at the weekend

A 400 metre-long Victorian railway tunnel in Derbyshire has reopened after £1.1m of upgrade work.

The Eaves Tunnel, on the Buxton Line in the Peak District, was closed throughout the weekend, as well as the rest of the line between New Mills Newtown and Buxton.

Rail replacement buses were in operation while new railway foundation stone, known as ballast was laid and more than 1,200 metres of ageing track was replaced in the 163-year-old tunnel.

The tunnel and the Buxton Line reopened on Monday.

Andrew Mulholland, programme manager for Network Rail, said: "This upgrade will mean smoother, more reliable journeys for our passengers when they're travelling through this picturesque part of the Peak District."

Network Rail A freight maintenance train inside the Eaves Tunnel during upgrade worksNetwork Rail
A freight maintenance train inside the Eaves Tunnel during upgrade works
Network Rail A tamping train running through the Eaves Tunnel near BuxtonNetwork Rail
A tamping train - used to restore the line and level the track - running through the tunnel
Network Rail Mobile tunnel ventilators entering the Eaves Tunnel near BuxtonNetwork Rail
Mobile tunnel ventilators entering the tunnel during the planned work

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