Henry's Tunnel

The Ballahoo Tunnels, more commonly known as "Henry's Tunnel", are a two-bore tunnel situated to the east of Ballahoo, on the Main Line.

The Railway Series
The Sodor and Mainland Railway originally attempted to cut a tunnel through the Ballahoo Ridge. However, it collapsed during construction, resulting in the railway only running trains between Ballahoo and Kirk Ronan.

After its foundation in 1915, the North Western Railway constructed its own tunnel in order to reach Vicarstown. The NWR was built as a strategic railway in a time of emergency. Speed and cheapness of construction were paramount, so a single line bore only was cut, with the Up and Down lines being gauntletted. While work was in progress, a section in the centre collapsed, leaving two tunnels (the Western - 1 mile, and the Eastern, or Henry’s - 450 yards).

The tunnel gained its nickname in 1922 after Henry refused to come out, claiming that the rain would spoil his "lovely green paint with red stripes", and was subsequently bricked up after three failed attempts to get him out. A second bore was cut alongside to provide a double line and Henry was eventually let out sometime in 1923 to help with the express. In 2011, the tunnel collapsed but was repaired in time for the unveiling of the Thin Clergyman's bust at Tidmouth.

Thomas & Friends
In the first series of the television series, Henry stopped in the tunnel (like in the Railway Series). In the fourth series, the tunnel was blocked by an elephant and Henry had to take some workmen to clear it. In the thirteenth series, while painted pink, James hid in the tunnel. In the nineteenth series, Thomas hid in the tunnel from the Fat Controller after lying about an accident.

Appearances
Railway Series= {{Scroll box|

The Railway Series

 * The Three Railway Engines - The Sad Story of Henry and Edward, Gordon and Henry
 * Thomas the Tank Engine - Thomas and the Trucks
 * James the Red Engine - James and the Express
 * The Eight Famous Engines - Percy Takes the Plunge
 * Thomas and the Fat Controller's Engines - Birdstrike
 * Thomas and his Friends - Centenary

Companion Volumes
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 * 1984 - Henry the Green Engine Gets Out
 * -|Television Series=

Thomas & Friends

 * Series 1 - Thomas and Gordon, The Sad Story of Henry, Edward, Gordon and Henry, Thomas and the Trucks, James and the Coaches and James and the Express
 * Series 2 - Percy Takes the Plunge
 * Series 4 - Bowled Out and Henry and the Elephant
 * Series 7 - Emily's New Coaches, What's the Matter with Henry?, The Spotless Record, Peace and Quiet, Bulgy Rides Again, Best Dressed Engine and Gordon and Spencer
 * Jack and the Sodor Construction Company - Thomas and the Moles
 * Series 8 - Thomas to the Rescue, Edward the Great, Emily's Adventure, Halloween and Chickens to School
 * Series 12 - James Works it Out
 * Series 13 - Tickled Pink and Play Time
 * Series 14 - Charlie and Eddie
 * Series 17 - Calm Down Caitlin and Bill or Ben?
 * Series 19 - Who's Geoffrey? and Best Engine Ever
 * Series 21 - Confused Coaches
 * Series 22 - Hunt the Truck

Specials
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 * 2005 - Calling All Engines!
 * 2008 - The Great Discovery
 * 2011 - Day of the Diesels
 * 2012 - Blue Mountain Mystery
 * 2015 - The Adventure Begins
 * 2016 - The Great Race
 * -|Other Media=

Magazine Stories

 * 1987 - Thomas and the Trucks and The Sad Story of Henry
 * 1989 - Henry the Hero
 * 2003 - Happy and Sad
 * 2016 - Who's Geoffrey?

Books
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 * 1991 - Henry and the Tunnel
 * 1997 - Henry and the Tunnel
 * 2006 - Henry's Bad Day
 * 2017 - Thomas' New Friend

Trivia

 * In Wilbert Awdry's original drawing, the tunnel had one track instead of two.
 * Henry's Tunnel has had numerous modifications throughout the years:
 * Series 1:
 * One tunnel bore had two tracks and the other bore had one track.
 * Series 4:
 * The numerous switch tracks and the siding disappeared.
 * The tunnel entrance brickwork becomes a darker colour.
 * Series 7:
 * A signal box and water tower had appeared and disappeared at the portal.
 * Each bore had one track, like its Railway Series counterpart.
 * Series 8:
 * Both bores had two tracks.
 * Series 13:
 * The tunnel seemed to get shorter since its other end was visible.
 * Blue Mountain Mystery (only):
 * The tunnel was seen in a flashback and it had one track in each bore.
 * The Adventure Begins:
 * Two switch tracks were added in front of the signal box.
 * The tracks became slightly curved on the opposite of the tunnel.

Merchandise

 * Wooden Railway
 * Brio