The Anonymous Widower

Before Crossrail – The Wharncliffe Viaduct

Crossrail is a new railway from Reading in the West to Shenfield in the East.

But not everything is going to be brand new!

For example, the Grade 1 listed, Wharncliffe Viaduct, will be used to take the line over the River Brent, just as it has taken the Great Western Main Line since 1837.

Modifications are probably quite small as the current four lines are already electrified. Two of these will be used by Crossrail.

The viaduct ticks all the boxes on everybody’s lists.

• It was designed by IK Brunel
• It is Grade 1 Listed and is part of the submission to get the Great Western Railway declared a World Heritage Site.
• Pevsner said “Few viaducts have such architectural panache” about this viaduct.
• It is inhabited by a colony of bats.
• The electrification of the bridge was carried out in a sympathetic manner.

But above all, it would appear it is up to the job for which it is to be used.

You have to admit, that the Victorians knew how to build with brick!

October 20, 2014 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Before Crossrail, Bridges, Brunel, Crossrail