Penmanshiel Tunnel 1979
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Early on the morning of the 20th of March 1979, Penmanshiel tunnel (between Dunbar and Grantshouse on the East Coast Mainline) collapsed whilst the tunnel floor was being excavated. Two railway workers were killed.
It was not considered feasible to excavate the 244 metre long tunnel and the line between Edinburgh and Berwick was closed for some months while a new route was constructed around the filled in structure. The bodies of those who died were never recovered and the site is now a grave, with a memorial cairn situated on top of the hill.
The official accident report can be found here.
It was not considered feasible to excavate the 244 metre long tunnel and the line between Edinburgh and Berwick was closed for some months while a new route was constructed around the filled in structure. The bodies of those who died were never recovered and the site is now a grave, with a memorial cairn situated on top of the hill.
The official accident report can be found here.