Summit Tunnel Reopened in 1985
SUMMIT TUNNEL REOPENING IN 1985
On the 19th of August 1985, Some nine months after a fire closed the tunnel, it reopened.
Petrol and oil tank trains resumed running through from 6am. The photo shows a class 56 on one of these trains later in the morning, heading westbound through the Smithy Bridge level crossing.
The event was celebrated in a fairly low key by West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority coming along with one of their class 141 railbuses and Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority with their first new ‘Pacer’ class 142, number 142 001, in their orange livery. The two trains are seen in the photo standing a few feet apart both in the westbound platform at Todmorden.