Kelmarsh Tunnel is a disused railway tunnel in Northamptonshire. The line between Northampton and Market Harborough opened in 1859 and had two tunnels, Kelmarsh and nearby Oxendon Tunnel.
The tunnel was originally built for single track, and when the line was doubled, a second single-track tunnel was built. Both Tunnels are 322 yards long, and due to the small bore, were known as "the rat-holes" by train drivers.
The former "up" line tunnel at Kelmarsh is open as part of the Brampton Valley Way, a linear park which runs from Boughton level crossing on the outskirts of Northampton to Little Bowden near Market Harborough, on the former railway trackbed.
A species of moth Triphosa dubitata has been observed to overwinter inside Kelmarsh Tunnel.
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Last updated: 08-23-2005 07:43:25
