Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 11

Thread: The S.S.R. - UK

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    220
    Thanks
    201
    Thanked 82 Times in 57 Posts

    Default The S.S.R. - UK

    The Strategic Steam Reserve is a rumour, and possible myth. The UK's steam engine reserve during the Cold War.

    The place they 'chose' to have it was apparently Tunnel Quarry in Wiltshire, this was used during WWII as a massive ammunition dump. A train would enter through one entrance and a dummy or empty train would leave through the other end, this would fool any German spotter planes above.

    Unknown to the enemy, there is a 2 track platform that runs for 200 meters inside the tunnel, this is where they would unload bombs etc onto long conveyor belts that would transport the ordnance to the required area.

    Here is a video of how they built the bunker that backs onto the platforms...

    (there is a 30 second ad at the start)

    http://www.britishpathe.com/video/underground-factories

    And in this video (at 2min 13sec) it shows the trains and bomb unloading in use in the tunnel...

    http://www.britishpathe.com/video/su...for-our-armies


    Back in 2010 explorer's Shadow, Oxygen Thief and Raptor Jesus apparently discovered the SSR with trains fully operational, but that was a hoax.

    The platforms are there, but no steam trains to be seen...

    Visited with permission of the Ministry of Defence.


    1. The walk down to the platform from the main bunker


    2. An old mining Loco with mining trucks


    3. One of many Conveyor belts that run off the tunnels to storage areas


    4. The main walkway tunnel complete with conveyor belt (with belt!)


    5.


    6.


    7. A lift and steps up to the surface


    8. Looking up one of the main platforms


    9. 100 meters up (half way) PIR sensors trigger emergency lighting, you can see into another section of the tunnel


    10. Looking back down the platform, tracks can clearly be seen on the floor


    11. A WWII office pokes out of the wall above the conveyor belt


    12. Looking back up the platform, you can see the pipes that used to feed the fire hose on the top right of the wall


    13. The end of the track.


    I have mocked up what it might have looked like during the Cold War...



    UE Photos & Videos from 2002 to the present day: www.photoaddiction.co.uk

  2. The Following User Says Thank You to Derelict-UK For This Useful Post:

    Tankman (10-04-2013)

  3. #2
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    castleford west yorks
    Posts
    377
    Thanks
    128
    Thanked 95 Times in 86 Posts

    Default Re: The S.S.R. - UK

    nice report everything still looks in good condition too.

    Cheers Myke

  4. The Following User Says Thank You to myke For This Useful Post:

    Derelict-UK (10-04-2013)

  5. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    West Yorkshire
    Posts
    1,264
    Thanks
    5
    Thanked 316 Times in 194 Posts

    Default Re: The S.S.R. - UK

    Very good, looks ace mate.

  6. The Following User Says Thank You to Rebel For This Useful Post:

    Derelict-UK (10-04-2013)

  7. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Posts
    531
    Thanks
    155
    Thanked 112 Times in 76 Posts

    Default Re: The S.S.R. - UK

    That looks interesting, did you get any further in?
    Nuclear Bunker & Fallout Shelter Cleaning Specialist. One Mushroom Cloud will keep your bunker, radiant and shiney for years! Ring us now for specialist advice

  8. The Following User Says Thank You to Tankman For This Useful Post:

    Derelict-UK (10-04-2013)

  9. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    220
    Thanks
    201
    Thanked 82 Times in 57 Posts

    Default Re: The S.S.R. - UK

    Unfortunately not. We were there for other reasons and he took us to the platforms just to show us round. He told me that the tracks continue round the corner for another couple of hundred meters before reaching the outside (sealed) gate.
    UE Photos & Videos from 2002 to the present day: www.photoaddiction.co.uk

  10. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Yorkshire! Salt of the earth!
    Posts
    1,905
    Thanks
    176
    Thanked 577 Times in 468 Posts

    Default Re: The S.S.R. - UK

    How did you get permission for this site off the MOD?

    Looks cool also!


    "How come the compression is so bad on all those shots man? It looks like they've been edited with a Commodore 64." JST

  11. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    220
    Thanks
    201
    Thanked 82 Times in 57 Posts

    Default Re: The S.S.R. - UK

    Quote Originally Posted by Clough View Post
    How did you get permission for this site off the MOD?
    It was to acquire items that Burly has spare for use in Drakelow. It took over a year of too and from emails and phone calls. Eventually English Heritage, or someone higher up in the MOD said in the final hour that we weren't allowed the items. A real shame as we were days away from going down with a truck and loading up. It would have made a world of difference to Drakelow (the same equipment were used in both bunkers during the Cold War) and would have brought the renovation forward a few years in one day! Not only that, Drakelow is currently in a better atmosphere state than a LOT of Burly as they have the aircon switched off, everything is going downhill fast.

    When we were down there everyone was so positive and forthcoming.

    BTW, it's still very much owned by the MOD and is not for sale.
    Last edited by Derelict-UK; 11-04-2013 at 05:44 PM.
    UE Photos & Videos from 2002 to the present day: www.photoaddiction.co.uk

  12. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    West Yorkshire
    Posts
    922
    Thanks
    383
    Thanked 396 Times in 314 Posts

    Default Re: The S.S.R. - UK

    Nice one. So is this the real S.S.R?
    ________________

    A picture is not a picture without no depth of feeling....

  13. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    220
    Thanks
    201
    Thanked 82 Times in 57 Posts

    Default Re: The S.S.R. - UK

    But then it could still all be bollocks lol, anyway, I don't think many people have been in Tunnel Quarry so SSR or not, it's still cool
    UE Photos & Videos from 2002 to the present day: www.photoaddiction.co.uk

  14. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Derelict-UK For This Useful Post:

    GeoVDUB (13-04-2013), Tankman (13-04-2013)

  15. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    220
    Thanks
    201
    Thanked 82 Times in 57 Posts

    Default Re: The S.S.R. - UK

    It is the most likely location to one, however there is only one badly photoshopped picture (not mine) that shows a steam train coming out of the entrance. No actual photos of anything ever being stored there, but then the Cold War wasn't much of a British Pathe cinema war and most things were kept as secret as possible back then, not to mention Burly was still uber-secret in those times.

    Here is the website, if you actually read it, it has some interesting accounts, not sure if you would really go to the extent to lie about it all...
    http://www.willys-mb.co.uk/strategic-reserve.htm
    Last edited by Derelict-UK; 11-04-2013 at 08:32 PM.
    UE Photos & Videos from 2002 to the present day: www.photoaddiction.co.uk

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •