The Victoria Bridge of the Severn Valley Railway is a heavy treasure!
At the time of its construction, the 200-foot railway bridge was the longest single span cast iron bridge in Britain!
The Victoria Bridge carries the Severn Valley Railway over the River Severn near Arley, Worcestershire. It is a cast-iron arch bridge with 4 arch ribs each of 9 parts bolted together to the design of John Fowler, the chief engineer of the Severn Valley Railway.
It was built in 1861!
The arch elements were cast by the legendary Coalbrookdale Company and the bridge was built by Thomas Brassey, Samuel Morton Peto and Edward Betts. Its design is almost identical to the Albert Edward Bridge which spans the Severn at Coalbrookdale in Shropshire, also designed by John Fowler.
The railway line was closed to traffic in 1963. The bridge survived the threat of demolition and was then used by the Severn Valley Railway.
An interesting fact is that a time capsule was placed under the foundation stone. The glass jar contained silver and copper coins and a signed paper with details of the occasion.
The Victoria Bridge of the Severn Valley Railway is a heavy treasure!
At the time of its construction, the 200-foot railway bridge was the longest single span cast iron bridge in Britain!
The Victoria Bridge carries the Severn Valley Railway over the River Severn near Arley, Worcestershire. It is a cast-iron arch bridge with 4 arch ribs each of 9 parts bolted together to the design of John Fowler, the chief engineer of the Severn Valley Railway.
It was built in 1861!
The arch elements were cast by the legendary Coalbrookdale Company and the bridge was built by Thomas Brassey, Samuel Morton Peto and Edward Betts. Its design is almost identical to the Albert Edward Bridge which spans the Severn at Coalbrookdale in Shropshire, also designed by John Fowler.
The railway line was closed to traffic in 1963. The bridge survived the threat of demolition and was then used by the Severn Valley Railway.
An interesting fact is that a time capsule was placed under the foundation stone. The glass jar contained silver and copper coins and a signed paper with details of the occasion.
