The Crumlin Viaduct was a railway viaduct located above the village of Crumlin in South Wales, originally built to carry the Taff Vale Extension of the Newport, Abergavenny and Hereford Railway (NA&HR) across the Ebbw River.
Hailed as “one of the most significant examples of technological achievement during the Industrial Revolution,” in its 107 years of service until being dismantled in 1965, it remained: the least expensive bridge for its size ever constructed; the tallest railway viaduct in the United Kingdom; the third tallest viaduct in the world, after the aqueduct at Spoleto, Italy, and the timber viaduct in Portage, New York state.
The viaduct was designed by Scottish civil engineer Thomas W. Kennard. The railway’s chief engineer, Charles Liddell, also provided valuable input. The design utilized a “Warren truss” system, with ten iron trusses supported by tall stone piers.
At the time of its completion, it was the tallest railway viaduct in the United Kingdom, standing 200 feet high and spanning 1,650 feet. It was also noted for being one of the least expensive bridges for its size ever constructed. The viaduct was made of a combination of wrought and cast iron, with the ironwork produced at Kennard’s family ironworks in Falkirk and Blaenavon.
Construction began in 1853 and was completed in 1857. Despite the dangers of the project, there was only one fatality during the entire construction process. The viaduct was officially opened on Whit Monday, June 1, 1857.
The viaduct was a vital artery for the region’s coal industry and helped to transform the small village of Crumlin into a bustling town. Throughout its life, the viaduct required consistent maintenance, including regular repairs and repainting due to the high winds and other environmental factors in the valley.
By the mid-20th century, the railway system in Britain was undergoing significant changes. The Beeching Report of 1963 recommended sweeping closures of unprofitable lines. The railway line that the Crumlin Viaduct serviced was one of those recommended for closure.
The last scheduled passenger train crossed the viaduct in June 1964. Although it was scheduled as a monument of architectural and historical interest in 1962, British Railways argued that it was in a state of disrepair and too expensive to maintain.
Demolition work began in 1965 and was carried out by Birds of Swansea. The dismantling took approximately nine months. The iron components were sold for scrap. During its demolition, the viaduct gained a final moment of fame when it was used as a filming location for the 1966 Hollywood spy thriller, Arabesque, starring Gregory Peck and Sophia Loren. The film’s climactic chase scene takes place on the viaduct.
Today, all that remains of the Crumlin Viaduct are its stone abutments on either side of the valley, serving as a reminder of a remarkable structure and a bygone era of industrial innovation.
0 comments:
Post a Comment