Trivia: the most famous viaduct in Britain

[Iskra]

Surely a poll is needed?

I would have thought Ribblehead may be more famous under its actual name, whereas more people may know the ‘Harry Potter viaduct,’ but be unable to name it correctly.

I am possibly biased as a Yorkshireman who thinks concrete is a cop-out, however.

 

[AlastairFraser]

Ken has already mentioned the interlocking viaducts west of Deansgate in Manchester, so I'll nominate Ashton-upon-Ribble viaduct, which is quite a riveting ride on a train and the viaduct from Bootle into Liverpool through Sandhills on Merseyrail is very impressive on landscape grounds.

 

[DelW]

How sad that none of Brunel's wooden viaducts in Cornwall remain to be marvelled at.

I'm not sure that those who would have had to maintain them would agree!

Thinking of timber viaducts (and their maintenance), there's been no mention yet of Barmouth, which must have featured in many people's holiday memories in the days before cheap flights. Is that the only timber viaduct left on NR? I can't think of another just now.

 

[D6130]

Is that the only timber viaduct left on NR? I can't think of another just now.

Are there not still one or two much smaller ones on the Cambrian Coast, including one near Dovey Junction. The timber bridge/viaduct over the Loughor estuary between Gowerton and Llanelli was replaced a few years ago.

 

[DelW]

Are there not still one or two much smaller ones on the Cambrian Coast, including one near Dovey Junction. The timber bridge/viaduct over the Loughor estuary between Gowerton and Llanelli was replaced a few years ago.

You're right about the one near Dovey Junction:

English – Coflein

coflein.gov.uk

Dovey Junction Viaduct is a wooden pile structure similar to Barmouth Bridge (nprn 34918) and carries the Cambrian Coast Line (nprn 418018) over the River Dovey or Afon Dyfi. The viaduct is about 360 feet long and has eleven pairs of wooden piles on the north side and four on the south. The main section has four composite steel spans and girders. There is a bridgekeeper's house (nprn 420362) at the western end.
Source: Association for Industrial Archaeology: A Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of Mid-Wales, 1984.
Claire Parry, RCAHMW, 15 June 2011; B.A.Malaws, RCAHMW, 02 September 2016.

 

[snowball]

Another wooden viaduct on the Cambrian that was also replaced a few years ago was the road and rail Pont Briwet at Penrhyndeudraeth.

 

[weepingwillowb]

Is Arnside Viaduct the only viaduct that used to have locals walking across every Christmas Day and New Year's Day, until it was stopped by the police around 15 years ago? It was quite famous for those illegal walks.

 

[Essan]

As the train approaches/leaves Glenfinnan, the announcement on the train is that "we are about to cross the world famous Glenfinnan viaduct" and I am quite sure that, thanks to one scene in a Harry Potter film, that it is indeed now globally the most famous viaduct in Britain. Even though many Britons themselves might know Ribbleshead better.

A lot of the the visitors to Glenfinnan are foreigners (on the journey up there from Glasgow last Wednesday there were 3 French girls out on a day trip, just to see/cross the viaduct - most disappointed on discovering due to delays the train would go no further than the Fort - and some Asians whom I think were doing likewise, but no Britons heading for Glenfinnan).

 

[matchmaker]

The bridges over the Forth at Stirling are, I believe, officially known as "The Forth Viaducts".

Aultnaslanach Viaduct near Moy on the Highland Main Line is wooden.

 

[D6130]

The bridges over the Forth at Stirling are, I believe, officially known as "The Forth Viaducts".

Whereas, the now-dismantled bridge over the Forth between Alloa and Throsk was colloquially known as 'The other Forth Bridge'!

 

[InOban]

The bridges over the Forth at Stirling are, I believe, officially known as "The Forth Viaducts".

Aultnaslanach Viaduct near Moy on the Highland Main Line is wooden.

View attachment 112912

It looks to me that there's a new concrete bridge supported by concrete pillars, with the listed wooden structure there for show and playing no part .

 

[matchmaker]

It looks to me that there's a new concrete bridge supported by concrete pillars, with the listed wooden structure there for show and playing no part .

Definately wooden. Canmore

 

[Dave S 56F]

Crigglestone and Middlestown viaduct near Wakefield on on the old Thornhill Midland Line that never made it to Bradford.

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Both DD and Lockwood are very impressive... as is Penistone with its curve. I already mentioned Paddock so this often-forgotten route does quite well for nice viaducts!

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Missed this post, apologies!

A few years ago I saw a YouTube video of someone throwing a cricket ball over Lockwood viaduct... can't seem to find it now though.

Missed 1 Denby Dale viaduct on the same line is quite impressively lofty and long.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Surely a poll is needed?

Be a rather lengthy poll, at this rate!

 

[InOban]

Definately wooden. Canmore

The pictures in Canmore were clearly taken some time ago since they don't show the concrete pillars which must be recent.

 

[Dave S 56F]

Pickle bridge viaduct originally 22 arches at Wyke near Bradford on a old Lancashire & Yorkshire line to Brighouse half of it was demolished cos Bradford metropolitan council and Calderdale Council boundary line was where it crossed the A58 road so Bradford Council demolished the half on their side cos of the structure been unsafe and falling brickwork from it which is why the line over it closed, And Calderdale Council preserved the half on their side, thus leaving a truncated viaduct leading to nowhere.

 

[snowball]

Definately wooden. Canmore

The pictures in Canmore were clearly taken some time ago since they don't show the concrete pillars which must be recent.

Various websites say it was reinforced. Some give the date of this as either 2001-2 or 2003. For example

Aultnaslanach Viaduct - RAILSCOT

RailScot, a history of Railways with an emphasis on Scottish Railways. Photographs, maps, news, queries and more.

www.railscot.co.uk

The page won't let me copy and paste from the text.

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Automerged post:

The May Modern Railways has nice pictures of Knucklas, St Germans and Horden, all mentioned already in this thread.