Whitehaven Tunnel
| Whitehaven Tunnel | |
|---|---|
Southern portal of the tunnel | |
Interactive map of Whitehaven Tunnel | |
| Overview | |
| Other name | Bransty Tunnel |
| Line | Cumbrian Coast Line |
| Location | Whitehaven, Cumbria, England |
| Coordinates | 54°32′49″N 3°34′55″W / 54.547°N 3.582°W |
| OS grid reference | NX977179 |
| Status | Closed (temporarily) |
| Operation | |
| Work begun | 1850 |
| Opened | 30 September 1952 |
| Rebuilt | 1932–1958 (see text) |
| Owner | Network Rail |
| Technical | |
| Length | 1,283 yards (1,173 m) |
| No. of tracks | 1 |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Operating speed | 40 miles per hour (64 km/h) (normal) 20 miles per hour (32 km/h) 2022-2025 |
The Whitehaven Tunnel (also known as Bransty Tunnel), is a railway tunnel on the Cumbrian Coast Line linking Whitehaven with Corkickle in Cumbria, England. Work on the tunnel started in 1850, with it opening in September 1852, and between 1932 and 1958, it was shortened at the southern end after re-lining works. The tunnel was closed temporarily in 2025 due to water from defunct mines leaking into the tunnel and then draining away into the harbour at Whitehaven. It is expected to re-open in 2026.