The concrete precast segments were cast in the quary at Pantymawn.The company I worked for was overseeing the concret quality control.We had 2 members of staff at the quarry,1 of which,John Macready,had a very nasty accident when he fell through a board placed over a man hole, badly damaging his back. The segments were transported to Nutall-Atkinson's compound,on the site of the old swings.They were lowered to the portal area and transported to the liner erecting machine behind the "Mole" by single cab Foden dump tricks.These either drove in and reversed out,or vice versa.The tunnel invert was not the safest place to be I can assure you!
I did look at that link, but the connection seems to be a bit iffy ATM. From the name it looks as if the same firm, or at least one of the partners, was involved in the Queensway tunnel too; Sir Basil Mott was chief consulting engineer. Also, from the same source (the Queensway tunnel book) is an advert for the Gresford Sand and Gravel Co., probably the quarry in the pic. you posted.
Thanks, petethebike, for some hard information about the segments.
From Zipper's link, which is now working, this bit intrigued me: "In the 1960s we developed the flexible concrete linings for London Underground’s Victoria Line" What's flexible concrete?
From Zipper's link, which is now working, this bit intrigued me: "In the 1960s we developed the flexible concrete linings for London Underground’s Victoria Line" What's flexible concrete?
3 parts sand. 2 parts aggregate. 1 part cement. 6 parts old bed springs!
I used to go past the Pantymawn Quarry and knew it was not in use but when I Googled it all I got was bad news about it, being fined etc.. So, nice one Pete, Cheers.
I went to the quarry several times during the construction period of the tunnel.Only the first bore,when I worked there.1967-1969 if anyone's interested.The concrete test cubes cast at Pantymwyn were taken to our laboratory in Gorsey Lane,Wallasey for testing. We also did the materials testing for the Liverpool side,the Wallasey approach roads,through the old railway cuttings,and the Bidston Moss Interchange.Bloody deep piles there,way over 200 of your old "imperial" feet,if I recall correctly. Hope these old memories help. PS.It was Mott,Hay and Anderson who were the Consultant engineers for the project.
Pete... I went down the pilot heading (Seacombe Shaft to mid-river) a few times on visits. Do you remember Bob Baird? He was in charge of the land drive. Tragically killed whilst swimming by some idiot in a speedboat at Porthmadog. Being lowered down the shaft on Seacombe Prom. in a kibble with nowt to prevent you tipping out was er... exciting! H&S spoilt all that !!
Didnt one one the big cranes get sucked into the bog at Bidston and had to be rescued?. Omg, talk about health and safety, I used to walk on the tracks of the big cranes and talk to the driver as we went along.
I admit the name is ringing bells,it will be a 3am,that's it moment! I seem to get far too many of them theses days.You went down the vent shaft.Far deeper than just going in through the portal.I walked all the way through myself.Not a good idea if you suffer from clostrophobia,didn't like water dripping down your neck,or had watched too many episodes of Callan.It was the swinging,solitary light bulb that did it for me!!! I must admit,I did meet some incredibly interesting people. They ranged from men from Sligo,miners from Wales,engineers from South Africa,one of whom I met years later at Heysham Stage 2 power station.Small world init?
