Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
The last cast iron bridge on a major British Rail high speed route.
Built to carry the Great Northern Railway, the viaduct was designed by engineers William Cubitt and Joseph Cubitt, with construction finishing in 1850 as one of the last parts of the track between London and Werrington to be laid.
The next viaduct south on this line was made by Andrew Handyside of Derby, the original viaduct made in 1850 had to be replaced and Handyside took on this task in 1895
The viaduct was strengthened in 1910 and 1914 and blue engineering brick has been added to some parts since the viaduct was built. When the line was quadrupled in 1924, a second bridge was constructed which is attached to the abutments of the first. However, this is not considered to be part of the structure.
The viaduct comprises three arches, which are each formed from six curved girders. These are supported by two sets of twelve cast iron columns, which are fluted in the Doric style, but lack bases. The columns stand on two cast iron caissons sunk into the riverbed, and an ornate iron balustrade tops the bridge. This stands out clearly in contrast to the second bridge, which is not considered part of the viaduct.
This bridge is ECM1/184UD River Nene (Up Side Span)
The last cast iron bridge on a major British Rail high speed route.
Built to carry the Great Northern Railway, the viaduct was designed by engineers William Cubitt and Joseph Cubitt, with construction finishing in 1850 as one of the last parts of the track between London and Werrington to be laid.
The next viaduct south on this line was made by Andrew Handyside of Derby, the original viaduct made in 1850 had to be replaced and Handyside took on this task in 1895
The viaduct was strengthened in 1910 and 1914 and blue engineering brick has been added to some parts since the viaduct was built. When the line was quadrupled in 1924, a second bridge was constructed which is attached to the abutments of the first. However, this is not considered to be part of the structure.
The viaduct comprises three arches, which are each formed from six curved girders. These are supported by two sets of twelve cast iron columns, which are fluted in the Doric style, but lack bases. The columns stand on two cast iron caissons sunk into the riverbed, and an ornate iron balustrade tops the bridge. This stands out clearly in contrast to the second bridge, which is not considered part of the viaduct.
This bridge is ECM1/184UD River Nene (Up Side Span)
