World Bridge Day

[crispy1978]

Today is apparently World Bridge Day.

So, which - in your opinion is the best railway bridge - UK or the world - by design or appearance or engineering, or simply your favourite?

 

[Cowley]

I love the Tamar Bridge built by Brunel and also Moorswater viaduct in Cornwall.
But I think my favourite bridge is the mighty Forth Bridge.

 

[Trainfan344]

I like Somerleyton Swing Bridge. Except when it's broken...

 

[SS4]

I like the Bridge Zone

More seriously I'd go with Ironbridge

 

[tsr]

I am quite a fan of Grosvenor Bridge over the Thames, mainly for the view and the history, rather than intentional design.

 

[najaB]

Another vote for the Forth Bridge. Tay Bridge in second. Tamar Bridge in third.

 

[pjm0512]

Probably the Stockport Viaduct for me (being a Mancunian 'n' all).

 

[Johnuk123]

Surely the question should be what comes second after the Forth Bridge.

 

[Harbornite]

Forth Bridge and Tay Bridge are both impressive, as are the Royal Albert and Royal Border bridges.

One of my favourites but obscure bridges is Park Hill Road bridge in Harborne.

I like the Bridge Zone

More seriously I'd go with Ironbridge

Ironbridge doesn't meet the criteria for favourite railway bridge, do you mean Victoria or Albert bridge ?

 

[AndrewE]

You mean Fifth, surely!? I agree the Forth comes first.

 

[Zamracene749]

Forth Bridge, High Level Bridge, Ribblehead, Royal Border Bridge, Tamar Bridge

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I've always had a soft spot for Longroyd Bridge viaduct (aka Paddock viaduct) at the Northern end of the Penistone line. Lockwood viaduct, the next one up the line, also deserves a mention.

 

[306024]

You mean Fifth, surely!? I agree the Forth comes first.

The second Forth road bridge should come fifth, but is disqualified through lack of trains.

Sydney harbour bridge is wonderfully proportioned, you just can't stop photographing it. Does it count as a railway bridge if it shares with road traffic?

The Forth Bridge is simply an incredible design though. Imagine trying to get that off the drawing board today.

More locally, Chappel viaduct on the Marks Tey - Sudbury line is an impressive structure, best seen from the road or walking underneath.

 

[ComUtoR]

Blackfriars Station

 

[SS4]

Forth Bridge and Tay Bridge are both impressive, as are the Royal Albert and Royal Border bridges.

One of my favourites but obscure bridges is Park Hill Road bridge in Harborne.




Ironbridge doesn't meet the criteria for favourite railway bridge, do you mean Victoria or Albert bridge ?

Huh, I must have skimmed over the OP. I'm sure it said any bridge.

I'm going to cliche and go with the Forth Bridge

 

[Harbornite]

Huh, I must have skimmed over the OP. I'm sure it said any bridge.

This was what crispy said...

Today is apparently World Bridge Day.

So, which - in your opinion is the best railway bridge - UK or the world - by design or appearance or engineering, or simply your favourite?

 

[crispy1978]

Forth Rail for me. Was impressed with Conwy Suspension when I saw it a couple of years back.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Beipanjiang Railway Bridge looks quite impressive - a decent arch on it!

Must admit, the Bernina Express was very impressive! Especially Landwasserviadukt and Viadotto elicoidale di Brusio.

 

[507021]

Ribblehead for me, the scenery is absolutely spectacular in my view.

 

[cjmillsnun]

Forth Railway Bridge for me.

Although agree with 306024 that Chappel Viaduct is impressive. I was a member of SVRPS for many years when I was a child and remember always being happy to see it.

My favourite road bridge is the Viaduc de Millau.

 

[sw1ller]

Chester Roodee viaduct. It runs along Chester race course and looks stunning in the summer. Its also an area for me to do a running brake test on the way out of Chester. As you go over it you can see the Grosvenor Bridge that my partners G.G.G granddad opened as the sheriff of Chester. But then you have Chirk viaduct over the Ceriog valley. In the winter its genuinely picturesque, like the front of a Christmas card. Its a toughie.

 

[DarloRich]

Anything built by the Cleveland Bridge and Engineering Company of Darlington

Honorable mentions for Dorman Long & Co and Sir William Arrol & Co

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Belah Viaduct. Long gone now but rather impressive to say the least!

 

[Harbornite]

Belah Viaduct. Long gone now but rather impressive to say the least!

That's a nice trestle bridge, reminds me of one closer to home: Dowery Dell viaduct on the Old Hill- Longbridge line.

Opened in 1883, closed in 1964 and sadly demolished.



http://www.photobydjnorton.com/HalesowenRailwayInColour.html

 

[DaveNewcastle]

My avatar speaks for itself.

Other favourites are the Tamar bridge, and for brick arch viaducts, I think my favourite has to be the Culloden Viaduct - its red brick and its curvature allow it's glow in the setting sun to be admired even as we are passing over it.

Also on the Highland mainline is the extraordinary Killiecrankie viaduct with its little castelated turrets. It is so close the hillside that the land just a few meters away on the east is actually higher that the track. But its in a beautiful little spot, where the River Garry opens out briefly beneath the line. There's even a little charcoal burner down there.

 

[HSTEd]

The viaduct on the Newquay station approach.
When viewed from below it is wonderfully set off by the terrain and flora around it.

 

[DarloRich]

Belah Viaduct. Long gone now but rather impressive to say the least!

Thomas Bouch designed if i recall

 

[AlterEgo]

I really like the Keddie Wye.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keddie_Wye

 

[Blamethrower]

me too, nothing can beat the old Forth bridge, yet I've never been over it

Notable exceptions: Blackfriars station, Barmouth Bridge, Oresund Bridge/tunnel - all of which I have been over.

 

[8A Rail]

Britannia Railway Bridge / Ethelfreda Bridge or more well known as the Runcorn Railway Bridge. Grade 2 listed also.

 

[Andyjs247]

The Forth Bridge wins it for me too.

Two others not been mentioned previously for me would be Glenfinnan Viaduct and also Harringworth Viaduct. The latter seems to go on for ever.

The setting of Glenfinnan is simply stunning. The early concrete construction on a curve would be notable on its own but I think it enhances the landscape. The view is somehow timeless.