When the 3.54 mile Totley Tunnel was being built for the Midland Railway between 1888 and 1893 the Duke of Rutland refused permission for more than one excavation and ventilation shaft to be dug on his land.

Four shafts were initially sunk, all fairly close together at the Totley end, but after the line opened a fifth ventilation shaft was deemed necessary. Despite the Duke's previous objections this shaft was sunk from the Totley moors at a surface height of around 1250 feet. This shaft had to be sunk to the side of the existing tunnel and then connected to it at the side. The mounds of spoil associated with the sinking along with the circular engineering brick wall around the top can be seen from quite a distance away across the moors.

Considerable quantities of water enter the shaft and when a train approaches the cross tunnel the air pressure is enough to force some water back up and out of the top, showering the area around with man-made rain.