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Williamson's Tunnels @fowt.bsky.social · 8d

Ghosts and Ghoulies have moved into Paddington, it's looking quite spooky. Would you like to bring your children for a special Halloween visit of Paddington?

We currently have vacancies for 29/10/2025

williamsontunnels.com/visit-the-tu...

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Subterrenea Britannica @subbrit.bsky.social · 17d

With much sadness, we announce the death of Martin Dixon on 15/10/2025, having had cancer for over 5 years. He was a long-time member, former chairman.
He & Linda enjoyed many happy times together, including organising numerous Sub Brit trips.
We'd love to hear your anecdotes & memories of Martin.

Bearded Martin, wearing a red helmet, smiling as he pokes his head up through a opening in an overgrown man made hole in the ground.

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Williamson's Tunnels @fowt.bsky.social · 16d

Sad to hear news of the passing of Martin Dixon. The volunteers & Committee of the Friends of Williamson's Tunnels, send their thoughts & condolences to Linda, Martin's Wife, his family & friends, and to Martin's fellow SubBrit members, who will also be feeling the loss of a good friend

RIP Martin

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Williamson's Tunnels @fowt.bsky.social · 19d

Our next FoWT monthly meeting will take place on Monday 3rd November 2025 – 7.00 pm (19.00 hrs)

"James Cropper and Liverpool's unheralded contribution to the Abolition of Slavery" by John Lamb.

williamsontunnels.com/2025/10/14/n...

Next FoWT monthly meeting: A talk by John Lamb, “James Cropper and Liverpool’s unheralded contribution to the Abolition of Slavery”

Our next FoWT monthly meeting will take place on Monday 3rd November 2025 – 7.00 pm (19.00 hrs) via Zoom. “James Cropper and Liverpool’s unheralded contribution to the Abolition of Slav…

williamsontunnels.com

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Williamson's Tunnels @fowt.bsky.social · Sep 15

FoWT - Annual General Meeting 2025

The 29th AGM of FoWT, 29th September 2025 at 7pm

With guest speaker, Paul O'Donnell of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway Trust, on the 'Opening day of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway’

@lmrailway.bsky.social

williamsontunnels.com/2025/08/25/f...

FoWT – Annual General Meeting 2025

All members are invited to attend the 29th Annual General Meeting of the Friends of Williamson’s Tunnels, 29th September 2025 at 7pm (19.00hrs). The AGM will be held in the Derby Room, Adelph…

williamsontunnels.com

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Williamson's Tunnels @fowt.bsky.social · Sep 15

Our next FoWT monthly meeting will take place on Monday 6th October 2025 – 7.00 pm (19.00 hrs)

"The Lancashire Witches" by Tina Naples.

The story of Lancashire's Witches...

williamsontunnels.com/2025/09/14/n...

Next FoWT monthly meeting: A talk by Tina Naples, “The Lancashire Witches”

Our next FoWT monthly meeting will take place on Monday 6th October 2025 – 7.00 pm (19.00 hrs) via Zoom. “The Lancashire Witches” by Tina Naples. Our guest speaker on the night will be …

williamsontunnels.com

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Liverpool and Manchester Railway Trust @lmrailway.bsky.social · Sep 14

Today is the 195th anniversary of modern railways. The first inter-city railway opened on this day when eight trains left Crown Street in Liverpool for Liverpool Road in Manchester.

It didn't do a lot of "firsts", it just got the combination right becoming the template for everything that followed.

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Liverpool and Manchester Railway Trust @lmrailway.bsky.social · Sep 13

Currently researching the guests present on opening day of the L&MR in 1830. One of the hard ones to find information on is Count Potocki the Russian Ambassador. The problem is there are several simultaneous Counts and most contemporary press reports don't distinguish which is which...

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Williamson's Tunnels @fowt.bsky.social · Aug 25

FoWT - Annual General Meeting 2025

The 29th AGM of FoWT, 29th September 2025 at 7pm

With guest speaker, Paul O'Donnell of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway Trust, on the 'Opening day of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway’

@lmrailway.bsky.social

williamsontunnels.com/2025/08/25/f...

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Liverpool and Manchester Railway Trust @lmrailway.bsky.social · Aug 18

Not saying crime was rife in Liverpool in 1978, but apparently, even if it was bolted down, it was not safe. Page 15 of the Liverpool Echo for the 9th June 1978 has two separate railway thefts relating to the Liverpool & Manchester Railway.

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David Hearn @daveyph.bsky.social · Aug 15

Today marks the 189th anniversary of the opening of Liverpool Lime St station - the oldest grand terminus station in the world still in use. Here is a photo of the station in 1890.

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Brian Groom @groomb.bsky.social · Aug 12

George Stephenson (1781-1848), seen as the father of the railways, died #OTD 1848. He and his son Robert built the first steam passenger railway, the Stockton and Darlington, and built the first public inter-city railway, the Liverpool and Manchester.

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Williamson's Tunnels @fowt.bsky.social · Jul 31

Thank you 😀

Williamson's Tunnels @fowt.bsky.social · Jul 31

FoWT, No. 4 on #LiverpoolWorld

19 must-visit Liverpool attractions with coveted Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards

www.liverpoolworld.uk/news/liverpo...

19 must-visit Liverpool attractions with coveted Travellers' Choice Awards

Discover 19 of the top Liverpool attractions that have been recognised among the best 'Things to Do’ in the 2025 Travellers' Choice Awards.

www.liverpoolworld.uk

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Williamson's Tunnels @fowt.bsky.social · Jul 31

FoWT win TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice award 2025, for 8th consecutive year

FoWT were delighted to have won, TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice award 2025, Placing tunnels tours with the Friends of Williamson’s Tunnels in the Top 10% of Attractions worldwide.

williamsontunnels.com/2025/07/27/f...

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Liverpool and Manchester Railway Trust @lmrailway.bsky.social · Jul 16

Network Rail has uncovered the original 1849 rope winding vault for the Victoria Tunnel at Edge Hill. As with the Wapping and Lime Street tunnels, the Victoria used a steam-powered rope haulage system to pull rolling stock up from the North docks.

The side tunnel off of the winding vault which would have carried the drive shaft back to the steam engines which would have been under Platform 1

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Liverpool and Manchester Railway Trust @lmrailway.bsky.social · Jul 16

Continuing on about our visit into the 1829 Passenger Tunnel. The Crown Street portal has two distinct cut-outs to allow the coal wagons to make a sharp turn without clipping the portal stonework. So when we visited, the portal and the two cut-outs are visible from the inside.

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Liverpool and Manchester Railway Trust @lmrailway.bsky.social · Jul 15

While the stalactites in the 1829 passenger tunnel are quite impressive, if a bit delicate and crumbly, the stalagmites are not at all impressive, this four inch example was the biggest one we found.

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Liverpool and Manchester Railway Trust @lmrailway.bsky.social · Jul 15

On Monday, we guided a charity visit into the Edge Hill Cutting. Organised by Network Rail for the Branch Line Society, raising funds for the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre. We explored and explained the operation of the Engine Station and investigated the 1829 passenger tunnel that ran to Crown Street

30 yards inside the 1829 passenger tunnel is an accidental opening through to the Wapping tunnel

160 yards inside the 1829 passenger tunnel is a formation of stalactites

The group posing in front of the stalactites

100 yards inside the 1829 passenger tunnel is a natural spring trough for the horses used to pull coaches up the tunnel to Crown Street Station.

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Williamson's Tunnels @fowt.bsky.social · Jul 15

Our next FoWT monthly meeting will take place on Monday 4th August 2025 – 7.00 pm (19.00 hrs)

"Saving Chapman - The Last Hilbre Island Lifeboat" by John Parr.

The story of Lifeboats from the 1700s, through to opening a lifeboat station on Hilbre Island...

williamsontunnels.com/2025/07/15/n...

Next FoWT monthly meeting: A talk by John Parr, “Saving Chapman – The Last Hilbre Island Lifeboat”

Our next FoWT monthly meeting will take place on Monday 4th August 2025 – 7.00 pm (19.00 hrs) via Zoom. “Saving Chapman – The Last Hilbre Island Lifeboat” by John Parr. Our guest …

williamsontunnels.com

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Liverpool and Manchester Railway Trust @lmrailway.bsky.social · Jul 3

Yes, a little "Jinty" That ended its working life at Edge Hill before going to Barry for scrap. Saved and restored and now at the GCR, but minus the unofficial painted signs on either side. www.gcrailway.co.uk/the-railway/...

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Liverpool and Manchester Railway Trust @lmrailway.bsky.social · Jul 3

A bit of then and now for the front of Lime Street Station. Not sure of the date of "then", but I am guessing at a hundred year interval between shots.

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Liverpool and Manchester Railway Trust @lmrailway.bsky.social · Jul 3

This is carved into the south wall of the Olive Mount Cutting in Liverpool. It shows how much further it is to go to Manchester. Not sure if the markings are every quarter mile. That would need a visit to try to find another one.

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Williamson's Tunnels @fowt.bsky.social · Jul 3

The other King of Edge Hill…

Joseph Williamson was affectionately known by many as the “King of Edge Hill”, due to his keeping so many people in employment...

...with Locomotive No. 47406, the “King of Edge Hill”

williamsontunnels.com/2025/07/02/t...

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Williamson's Tunnels @fowt.bsky.social · Jul 3

The final 2 designs

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