Trivia: the most famous viaduct in Britain

[D6130]

Yarm viaduct - crossing the Tees and the town centre on the Northallerton-Eaglescliffe line - is pretty impressive but, perhaps, not so well-known outside of the area.

Smardale viaduct - the tallest on the Settle-Carlisle - and its near neighbour, Smardalegill, on the closed Tebay-Kirkby Stephen Line (now a footpath) make an interesting juxtaposition.

The '99 arches' just South of Wakefield Westgate are a prominent feature of the local cityscape.

Harthope viaduct, on the WCML between Beattock and Beattock Summit, was well-known to users of the A74/M74....but its modern replacement is much less impressive.

The 36 arch Almond Valley viaduct on the Edinburgh-Glasgow line between Newbridge Junction and Winchburgh Junction is rather more impressive and will be familiar to regular users of the M8.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I rather like the definition someone made, further above, that viaducts are predominately over land. Hence the Tay Bridge rather than the Tay Viaduct. Though there was the Solway Viaduct, rather than the Solway Bridge; such is the nature of threads like this.

Depends which definition you use though. This "predominantly over land" factor seems somewhat nebulous given that most valleys are carved by rivers, so although only one or two spans may be over water, the water is responsible for the viaduct being needed in the first place.

 

[D6130]

An old railwayman told me many, many years ago that if a bridge had more than three arches or spans, then it was considered to be a viaduct.

 

[Ken H]

Yes this is a railway thread but most have heard of the Tinsley viaduct on the M1. Its an impressive bit of kit being double decked. Sorry if off topic.

 

[EllieAquitrain]

Is the bridge on the Monsal Trail a viaduct?

 

[snowball]

Lots of bridges don't cross any noticeable water at all.

 

[Western Sunset]

Lots of bridges don't cross any noticeable water at all.

Like roads and railways...

 

[D6130]

Is the bridge on the Monsal Trail a viaduct?

Yes....it was designated as such when in railway use.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Sadly, Crumlin Viaduct isn't there any more, as it was demolished in 1967, although some of the abutments on both sides are still visible.

But there's still the Hengoed Viaduct (masonry) on the same line further west, now part of a cycle route.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Is the bridge on the Monsal Trail a viaduct?

Which one, there's a few?

Presume you mean the iconic five arch 300 foot long Headstone Viaduct across the River Wye built in 1863, which most certainly a viaduct.

 

[4COR]

An old railwayman told me many, many years ago that if a bridge had more than three arches or spans, then it was considered to be a viaduct.

Hornby got it wrong again?

(Image description : R180 - Hornby Viaduct - 3 arches!)

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I think we can conclude that there isn't actually a definition of "viaduct" that everyone can agree on.

Back to the original topic of the most well-known viaduct, Glenfinnan is probably known by many as "the Harry Potter bridge" rather than by its real name. The Forth Bridge (whether we class it as a viaduct or not) is probably more likely to be identified correctly by your average man on the Clapham omnibus (or perhaps spuriously as the "Forth Rail Bridge").

 

[bnc2018]

I reckon Chalfont viaduct (the Give Peas a Chance viaduct) over the M25 between junctions 16 and 17 is seen by more people on a daily basis than any other viaduct. I had a look and that section of the M25 is busier than the M60 underneath Stockport viaduct.

 

[DelW]

Belah viaduct with cast iron columns. Now long gone, but I did travel across it as a young lad before it’s demise.

Sadly, Crumlin Viaduct isn't there any more, as it was demolished in 1967, although some of the abutments on both sides are still visible.

For enthusiasts of iron and steel viaducts, I'm surprised that I haven't seen a mention of Bennerley Viaduct yet ....

Bennerley Viaduct – Discover Bennerley Viaduct, the 'Iron Giant'

www.bennerleyviaduct.org.uk

The Friends of Bennerley Viaduct (The FoBV) are dedicated to restoring, conserving and celebrating Bennerley Viaduct. We have achieved Our Project goal of reopening Bennerley Viaduct to the public after 54 years of closure. Please support us by becoming a Friend of Bennerley Viaduct or by donating to Our Project. Subscribe to our email bulletin to be kept up to date with our latest news.

Bennerley Viaduct is a grade 2* listed railway viaduct built in 1877 by the Great Northern Railway Company. At over quarter of a mile long, it is the longest wrought iron viaduct in the country. It straddles the River Erewash connecting Ilkeston in Derbyshire with Awsworth in Nottinghamshire. The “Iron Giant” has been described by the World Monuments Fund as being an “extraordinary monument” meriting inclusion in the 2020 World Monuments Watch, one of only 25 sites chosen globally. Historic England consider the viaduct is a “stunning example of the genius of British Engineering”

The Friends of Bennerley Viaduct are dedicated to give our “Iron Giant” a new lease of life. Working in partnership with the owners, Railway Paths Limited, an inspiring community driven project has brought the iconic structure back to life. Bennerley Viaduct has now re-opened to the public following fifty years of closure and a £1.4 million investment.[\quote]

 

[Western Sunset]

Just to be topical, I bet you the £280M I might've allegedly saved on my tax bill, that nobody has ever, ever, ever, called The Forth Bridge, The Forth Viaduct.

PS Mention was made of Bennerley in post #10.

 

[DelW]

Just to be topical, I bet you the £280M I might've allegedly saved on my tax bill, that nobody has ever, ever, ever, called The Forth Bridge, The Forth Viaduct.

PS Mention was made of Bennerley in post #10.

Oops, so it was, I missed it in that list . I think it warranted a bigger mention though!

 

[weepingwillowb]

A couple I don't think have been mentioned yet, both on the Ingleton line - Waterside and Lowgill viaducts.

As regards Crimple viaduct, I once walked along the outside edge of it in my teens, one winter evening under moonlight. Not something I'd dare to do now.

 

[Western Sunset]

No bother. One I actually went over when I was a nipper, on the way to our hols in Skeggy...

PS What about Holborn Viaduct - any other station with "viaduct" in its name?

 

[Ken H]

A couple I don't think have been mentioned yet, both on the Ingleton line - Waterside and Lowgill viaducts.

As regards Crimple viaduct, I once walked along the outside edge of it in my teens, one winter evening under moonlight. Not something I'd dare to do now.

Waterside is a corker. Good mention there.

 

[Cheshire Scot]

Based on your definition above, though, it's interesting that the Viaduct crossed both the River Ebbw and the village of Crumlin .. maybe the word "mainly" comes into operation here, as the land area is much bigger than the water area?

That brings the viaduct in Ingleton to mind, crossing a very (very) small part of the village, a small river, a road, and now, in the big space on the middle, also a caravan park.

EDIT - The mention of the Ingleton line in post 77 came in whilst I was typing.

 

[D6130]

Yarm viaduct - crossing the Tees and the town centre on the Northallerton-Eaglescliffe line - is pretty impressive but, perhaps, not so well-known outside of the area.

Smardale viaduct - the tallest on the Settle-Carlisle - and its near neighbour, Smardalegill, on the closed Tebay-Kirkby Stephen Line (now a footpath) make an interesting juxtaposition.

The '99 arches' just South of Wakefield Westgate are a prominent feature of the local cityscape.

Harthope viaduct, on the WCML between Beattock and Beattock Summit, was well-known to users of the A74/M74....but its modern replacement is much less impressive.

The 36 arch Almond Valley viaduct on the Edinburgh-Glasgow line - between Newbridge Junction and Winchburgh Junction - will be well-known to regular users of the M8.

 

[Kingston Dan]

A bridge mainly crosses water, a viaduct mainly crosses land. The Forth Bridge and the Royal Border Bridge are bridges, not viaducts, because they mainly cross water.

My top ten viaducts, in alpha order so I don't have to choose:

Balcombe (Sussex Ouse)
Belah
Bennerley (Erewash)
Chappel (Colne)
Culloden
Digswell (Mimram)
Glenfinnan
Greenwich
Harringworth (Welland)
Ribblehead

I haven't included anything in Wales. I might change my mind if I ever went to Crumlin.

Doesn't the Forth Bridge or should I say 'The Bridge' have approach viaducts at both ends?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Just to be topical, I bet you the £280M I might've allegedly saved on my tax bill, that nobody has ever, ever, ever, called The Forth Bridge, The Forth Viaduct.

PS Mention was made of Bennerley in post #10.

I may start calling it the Forth Viaduct, sounds quite lucrative...

My point really was that none of the distinctions given in discussion seem to have all that much supporting them other than common usage and personal preference. It does appear that what we call viaducts tend to be inland, whereas a crossing of an estuary or bay will usually not be called a viaduct. In terms of "most famous" rail bridges (of any type) the Forth crossing will probably be more well-known than Glenfinnan or Ribblehead. To your average person in the street (as opposed to rail or engineering nerds) a "but that's not a viaduct" response seems a bit pedantic.

Then again I've heard people say "that's not a viaduct" about Paddock- simply because not all the spans are stone arches... so I probably shouldn't grumble about pedantry. After all, this website thrives on it!

 

[43301]

A couple I don't think have been mentioned yet, both on the Ingleton line - Waterside and Lowgill viaducts.

As regards Crimple viaduct, I once walked along the outside edge of it in my teens, one winter evening under moonlight. Not something I'd dare to do now.

Crimple viaduct, despite its size, is actually quite inconspicuous due to its position, and if difficult to photograph. The best-known viaduct on that line is at Knaresborough - the focal point of most photos of the Nidd gorge through the town. There's also a substantial viaduct further towards Leeds, over the lower end of Wharfedale (Arthington Viaduct).

Crimple Viaduct has a near neighbour, Crimple Low Viaduct, which sits beside th showground and was on the closed line which bypassed Harrogate town centre and went to Starbeck.

 

[Ken H]

Isnt the railway between east of Manchester Piccadilly and Deansgate mostly viaduct. People probably cant name it (I cant) but know its there!

 

[Rescars]

Western Sunset's suggestion about Holborn Viaduct is an ingenious answer, seeing that the station is named after the road viaduct which crosses the now invisible Fleet River.

 

[snowball]

Harthope viaduct, on the WCML between Beattock and Beattock Summit, was well-known to users of the A74/M74....but its modern replacement is much less impressive.

Some irrelevant remarks:

The original viaduct had six spans. Its replacement has two longer spans. The piers and abutments of the replacement were built under the spans of the original. As 6 is widely rumoured to be an even number, the two spans of the replacement are of unequal length.

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[LNW-GW Joint]

Isnt the railway between east of Manchester Piccadilly and Deansgate mostly viaduct. People probably cant name it (I cant) but know its there!

The MSJ&A viaduct (Piccadilly to Ordsall Lane) has 224 arches, plus several iron bridges, and also extends from Castlefield Jn to Cornbrook in the Altrincham/Liverpool direction.
The later and higher CLC viaducts from Cornbrook into Manchester Central station (one of them now hosting Metrolink) go overhead.
The Ordsall Curve now also diverges eastwards over the River Irwell towards the Chat Moss route into Victoria.
The original Liverpool & Manchester Railway viaduct into Liverpool Road station (1830) was also a linked feature before the Ordsall Curve cut across the route.

 

[Dr Hoo]

Western Sunset's suggestion about Holborn Viaduct is an ingenious answer, seeing that the station is named after the road viaduct which crosses the now invisible Fleet River.

Surely Holborn Viaduct fails the 'more than three spans' test. In fact it is really one large road arch with a couple of small side arches for the pavements. Definitely a 'bridge' to me.

 

[Western Sunset]

Going back to the question posed by the OP. If fame is synonymous with best known/most recognisable, then it has to be the Harry Potter Bridge, AKA Glenfinnan Viaduct.

It wouldn't be my choice; I think a lot of other viaducts have a far better claim to fame, recognition and appreciation, but from the general public viewpoint, it has to be Glenfinnan.