出典:Wikipedia
出典:『Wikipedia』 (2010/03/03 05:32 UTC 版)
The original tunnel through the North Downs was constructed under the supervision of the engineer John Urpeth Rastrick for the London and Brighton Railway (L&BR) between 1839 and its opening on 12 July 1841. It was cut through chalk, using twelve vertical shafts, up which the spoil was raised to the surface in skiffs by means of two-horse gins The tunnel was originally intended to be 2013 yards (1841 metres) in length, but during the course of construction it was realigned and became 1830 yards (1674 metres). The new tunnel was finished with brick portals, whitewashed and lit by gas lamps supplied from a small gas works south of Merstham station.