Abandoned Tracks: The Helensburgh Tunnels 

Central and St James documentary: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-FEeiCTxh40c.html

I remember finding out about these tunnels and subsequently exploring them, around 30 years ago. Initially when I discovered these, #2 tunnel was still in use for mushroom farming, #3 tunnel had not long been abandoned for mushroom growing, #4 tunnel entrance at the northern end was still full of silt up to the tunnel mouth, and at this point in time I didn't know the old Helensburgh station was buried there. I didn't dare try and walk into this tunnel as it was too muddy and soft under foot. The other end - inside Metropolitan Colliery - was still closed off and water was visible leaking over the filled in tunnel mouth. Of further interest is that some of the brickwork from the original #1 tunnel can be seen in the opened out cutting just south of Waterfall. It initially took me some doing but I found tunnels 5 and 6 and had no issues walking through them, while Otford tunnel was still difficult to get to. I later walked in from the southern end but it was quite eerie, and I don't think I ever walked all the way. The only other tunnel I can recall walking into after the railway closed, was Glebe tunnel, in Sydney, before the tramline to Lilyfield was extended through it. I have walked trough the former "Southport Tunnel" on the former Queensland Railways South Coast line, last doing that around 2004, but even then that was nothing overly difficult or eerie in any way much.

My Cousin and I have been through all the tunnels on foot but the Lillyvale tunnels at the time. The most challenging part was finding and gaining access to the Cawley Tunnel Nth of the current Helensburgh tunnel. We had to climb down a 3m cliff face and found the ground at the entry was 3 feet of wet mud, but we had gum boots and short pant and was able to gain access. In the tunnel we found 3 1 foot holes filled with water with signs of life within the tunnel floor. I can comfirm at the time that the Metropolitan Tunnel next to the Helensburgh tunnel was flooded half way through and was very creepy, but not as creepy as the Otford Tunnel Sth of Otford. My Cousin went back 3 weeks later with a biking bubby and went through all of them from North to South (Cawley Tunnel to Otford Tunnel) on bikes.

Henry was in the tunnel. Trapped by the Fat Controller because he was scared of the rain.

We abseiled into the long one from the bushland and walked through to the mushroom farm to sum buildings with the scouts back in 84 was great

I would love to see these tunnels opened up for tourists.

Thank you very much for this very interesting and informative video presentation which is very much appreciated by the people. The research that you have done here is very important in keeping the history of this area alive.

I spend a Lot of time here! Hopefully I can in time meet my future misses here ! Good video thank you!!

A wonderful piece of history for all but especially for shire residents. Thank you for sharing this with us.

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="300">5:00</a> The tunnel would've been at the *southern* end of the original Helensburgh station platform as trains travelled *SOUTH* to Wollongong!

The tunnels could have art of trains and people who were involved with the railway for everyone to see

Most interesting, thanks for your work.

Very interesting, didn't even know they existed.

Helensburgh tunnel has been closed by Helensburgh council, you can even photograph or film it, it surrounded by fence and large signage

Ok film but there is a few details missing, the reason the tunnels had to be closed in the early 1900 was because the train crew were coming out unconscious due to the length and smoke, were the workers lived was the deviation village as my old family worked on the new lines and my aunt was the organist at the church which I still have the organ from the church also I gave Mr House a lot of the early photos of the work crews.

Did the government ever consider using it for light-rail trams ? After the government's reintroduction of light rail trams.

Love it mate

I wish they would remove the plug at the other end of the tunnel

So very interesting, thank you for making this video

great research. that partial zoom in effect used on the monochrome photos is horrible though

Bloody Cheek! Pinched the name of our town. The real Helensburgh (pronounced burra not burg) is on the Clyde estuary Scotland. Named in 1785 after Helen Colquhoun the wife of the towns founder.

Did shoot with Emily Doherty and the Thrill Seekers in the tunnel last weekend: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-kMKnk_dpxsQ.htmlm10s

very nice video

Can you get to the outside end of the blocked off Gloworm Tunnel ? I regularly ride my bike in both directions in the Otford to Stanwell Park tunnel. With a good light on bike of course. I reckon it would be ruined if it was pathed & had lighting put in there. It would lose all its character. Get rid of the Graffity vandalism would be a good start. Leave it as it is.

The music is ridiculous. Theres nothing creepy about these tunnels- i know, been there!

Disjointed, repetitive and really poorly edited.