Marl at Middlehill John Froud January 2020
The eastern portal of Middlehill Tunnel (courtesy Carol Payne)
John Froud, the distinguished historian of the Box Railway Station, wrote to us about the item on Box Station Commemorated in the last issue.[1] He mentioned that the article featured one of Sean Bolan’s superb paintings and that we had used an extract from JC Bourne on the History and Description of the Great Western Railway. He was able to explain the meaning of the word Marl in Bourne’s description of Middlehill Tunnel:
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At Middle-Hill is a short tunnel through which the railway passes just before reaching the Box Station, only 210 yards long, and entirely in the Marle. The two faces of this tunnel are alike; their general character is Roman; the arch is plain, with raised quoins and a scroll key stone. It is flanked by projecting piers, panelled
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John wrote: I hope the following clarifies. Marle in modern terminology is Marl or marlstone - a calcium carbonate or lime-rich mud or mudstone which contains variable amounts of clays and silt. Bourne is actually referring to the construction of and geology through which Middle Hill tunnel was built. The reference to Box Station in the full quote (given below) is slightly confusing - better read as: At Middle Hill is a short tunnel …. only 210 yards long, and entirely in the Marle.
This is a good example of how in Bourne’s book he took the trouble to describe not only the railway, but also the geology etc.
The preface explains:
This is a good example of how in Bourne’s book he took the trouble to describe not only the railway, but also the geology etc.
The preface explains:
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The History and Description of the Great Western Railway; including its Geology and the Antiquities of the District through which it passes, accompanied by a Plan and Section of the Railway, a Geological Map, and by numerous Views of its principal Viaducts, Tunnels, Stations, and of the Scenery and Antiquities in its Vicinity, from Drawings taken expressly for this work, and executed in lithography by John C. Bourne. Folio, pp. 76, 34 plates
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Reference
[1] John Froud, Box Station, Special GWR Edition No 2, 1986, p.131-149
[1] John Froud, Box Station, Special GWR Edition No 2, 1986, p.131-149