Most impressive disused structure

[MidnightFlyer]

A recent post by Nick W in the ongoing Preston bus station thread included a photo of the rather spectacular Bennerley Viaduct near Ilkeston (note: that's not the same photo used in the other thread), and it got me thinking about what is the most impressive structure that remains intact (to any great degree) but is long disused for any railway purpose left in Britain?

Another fine example (and my favourite) would probably have to be Meldon Viaduct, near Okehampton, which now is used as a cycleway.

Anyone else?

 

[Ivo]

I don't know about impressive structurally, but how about Wickham Bishops for something that makes one wonder how it ever carried a train?

 

[Lad Brookes]

I've always been a fan of Big Water of Fleet Viaduct.

Nearly missed my ferry in November when I diverted for another look at it on the way to Cairnryan!

 

[cdonnigan]

I would have to say from my local area got to be the Victoria Viaduct Crossing the river wear on the mothballed Leamside Line.

 

[SprinterMan]

Lowgill Viaduct in the Lake District gets my vote:

Also, does Waterloo International count as an impressive disused railway structure :P

Adam

 

[61653 HTAFC]

The disused Midland(?) line between Dewsbury and Crigglestone was always something of a white elephant, but does have two rather impressive brick viaducts at Horbury Bridge and Calder Grove/Crigglestone.

Edit: Also like to mention Wolverhampton Low Level.

 

[MK Tom]

Manchester Central is essentially disused as far as railways are concerned. That's pretty epic.

 

[jopsuk]

The viaducts at Cullen, by the sea, with the main road weaving through them. A sense of grandeur and drama. The smaller of the pair frames the view of the bay as you descend the high street. Stunning.

 

[sprinterguy]

Some of my favourites that I would like to volunteer would be:

The Glen Ogle viaduct on the old Callander & Oban route between Callander and Chrianlarich.
Lambley Viaduct about half way down the length of the Alston branch from Haltwhistle.
The viaduct (I don't know it's name) that crosses Thornley Wood near Rowlands Gill.
And, as has been suggested above, The Victoria Bridge across the River Wear on the Leamside Line between Washington and Penshaw.

 

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

The viaducts at Cullen, by the sea, with the main road weaving through them. A sense of grandeur and drama. The smaller of the pair frames the view of the bay as you descend the high street. Stunning

Agreed. I always liked the bridge over the Spey half way between Elgin and Cullen, with the added bonus that one can walk or cycle across it.

 

[Cherry_Picker]

Curzon Street station, Birmingham.

HS2 means it might not be disused for much long though.

 

[snowball]

One that always intrigues me is Hownsgill Viaduct. If you're driving south on the A68 you see it from a distance. It's down in the valley ahead of you and you think you'll pass close to it and get a good view, but then as you get further down it disappears from view and you think "where have they hidden it?".

I only identified it by studying maps after I'd seen it in this way two or three times.

 

[Liam]

Lower Largo:

http://goo.gl/maps/zEcqz

 

[Spaceflower]

Larpool viaduct, Whitby is pretty impressive. There's also Hownsgill and Belmont viaducts in the north east. I've not seen Hownsgill myself but Belmont viaduct north of Durham is particularly impressive owing to its dramatic location across the Wear gorge. Unfortunately its only accessible by a rather rough and muddy riverside path and is quite a lengthy walk from safe and secure parking. In addition its also a dangerous structure so no views. Having said that, I'm sure I've got some old pictures somewhere I'll dig out.
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Not the best photo's of Belmont viaduct you'll see but taken on a mobile some years ago.

 

[RichmondCommu]

My vote goes to Monsal Head viaduct.

 

[David Barrett]

Dearne Valley Viaduct, Conisbrough, ex L&Y.

 

[David Barrett]

Lowgill Viaduct in the Lake District gets my vote:

Also, does Waterloo International count as an impressive disused railway structure :P

Adam

Or Firbank on the same line between Lowgill and Tebay..

 

[Spaceflower]

Another impressive single span bridge, again in Durham and has the title of the World's oldest...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Causey_Arch

 

[mr_jrt]

Slight tangent - the Brackley viaduct always seemed nice from photos. Does anyone know what the "problems" were that led to BR demolishing it whilst some of these (beautiful) others survived? I suspect it was something to do with the problem that claimed the southern arch during construction, but it'd be nice to have confirmation for my trivia bank

 

[Cab2Cab]

The double Millersdale viaduct, nr Buxton on the monsal trail.

 

[bishdunster]

Brackley viaduct was indeed a magnificent structure, i used to play there as a kid ( after closure i may add !), there were minor structural problems,not connected with the original ones, just the odd bit of loose masonary etc, but the major factor was that the proposed new Brackley by-pass (now long opened) was to pass the site of the viaduct on the diagonal to the structure.

 

[Philip Elliott]

Fledborough Viaduct is definitely the longest disused viaduct:

 

[A0]

Brackley viaduct was indeed a magnificent structure, i used to play there as a kid ( after closure i may add !), there were minor structural problems,not connected with the original ones, just the odd bit of loose masonary etc, but the major factor was that the proposed new Brackley by-pass (now long opened) was to pass the site of the viaduct on the diagonal to the structure.

Are you sure about the by-pass being the reason?

The A43 didn't bypass Brackley until the late 1980s, yet the viaduct was demolished in 1978.

I'm sure I read it was a BR initiative - probably under "guidance" from the Ministry of Transport - that to save cost any infrastructure which might result in future maintenance bills should be removed.

It was fairly soundly engineered by all counts, since the explosives didn't topple it - I believe the pillars were all solid ! - so it had to be demolished 'by hand'.

 

[railjock]

NewBattle Viaduct on the Waverley line is very impressive. Only currently disused though...

 

[billio]

The Red Bank viaduct running out of Manchester Victoria. Not as picturesque as the viaducts in open countryside but a massive disused 4 track structure.

 

[Cab2Cab]

Another one, The cotgrave colliery branch viaduct just off rectory junction on the Nottingham-Grantham line, east of colwick.

Cotgrave colliery closed 1992

Built in 1964, Modern viaduct on a severe bend.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Does the DfT's brain cell count?

 

[gimmea50anyday]

Or Firbank on the same line between Lowgill and Tebay..

I've done a bungee jump off that bridge!!!

 

[34D]

As a Leeds resident, I'd have to put forward both of our disused city centre routes:

-the approaches to Leeds Central, with a nice bridge remaining (north of the current Leeds City-Harrogate route) and the 'viaduct line' with its brick arches that go atop the Castleford-Leeds city line. Will try to add some pic links later.

 

[furryfeet]

NewBattle Viaduct on the Waverley line is very impressive. Only currently disused though...

Not for Long !

Shankend is even more impressive. Maybe one day, hopefully whilst I am still here, that structure will be brought back into use. One can but dream .....