The Pont y Cafnau Iron Bridge is probably the world’s oldest surviving iron railway bridge.
It is actually an iron railway bridge and aqueduct!
The Pont y Cafnau Iron Bridge is a unique cast-iron bridge, built in 1793. It has two decks; one for the aqueduct and the other for the tramroad. Watkin George, the chief engineer of the nearby Cyfarthfa ironworks, is credited with its construction to carry the tram line from the nearby limestone quarries at Gurnos and its water supply over the river.
The A-frame design was totally innovative.
The Pont y Cafnau Iron Bridge was an important early prototype for iron bridge construction that influenced Thomas Telford’s monumental Pontcysyllte and Chirk Aqueducts.
The Pont y Cafnau Iron Bridge – which translates as the bridge of troughs – is quite rightly a scheduled ancient monument and Grade II* listed, which should afford it some protection!
The bridge is located just below the confluence of the Afon Taf Fawr and the Afon Taf Fechan rivers; it is used as a public footpath and may be used to cross the river and connect the Taff Trail with the nearby Cyfarthfa Castle.
Check out the brilliant walk, as featured on the BBC – HERE!
Cyfarthfa, Merthyr Tydfil, UK
The Pont y Cafnau Iron Bridge is probably the world’s oldest surviving iron railway bridge.
It is actually an iron railway bridge and aqueduct!
The Pont y Cafnau Iron Bridge is a unique cast-iron bridge, built in 1793. It has two decks; one for the aqueduct and the other for the tramroad. Watkin George, the chief engineer of the nearby Cyfarthfa ironworks, is credited with its construction to carry the tram line from the nearby limestone quarries at Gurnos and its water supply over the river.
The A-frame design was totally innovative.
The Pont y Cafnau Iron Bridge was an important early prototype for iron bridge construction that influenced Thomas Telford’s monumental Pontcysyllte and Chirk Aqueducts.
The Pont y Cafnau Iron Bridge – which translates as the bridge of troughs – is quite rightly a scheduled ancient monument and Grade II* listed, which should afford it some protection!
The bridge is located just below the confluence of the Afon Taf Fawr and the Afon Taf Fechan rivers; it is used as a public footpath and may be used to cross the river and connect the Taff Trail with the nearby Cyfarthfa Castle.
Check out the brilliant walk, as featured on the BBC – HERE!
Cyfarthfa, Merthyr Tydfil, UK
