Elsbridge Viaduct (RWS)

History[]

From 1910 to 1925 Elsbridge was the terminus of the branch line. The North Western Railway held powers to extend, but money was in short supply, and the necessary bridge and tunnel were likely to prove expensive, so nothing was done. In 1924 however, Jabez Croarie began quarrying at Ffarquhar. He needed two things - a railway for transport, and an attractive structure to show potential customers the quality of his stone. Hard bargaining followed with Sir Topham Hatt.

In the end, the NWR agreed to extend their line on condition that the Quarry Company not only provided stone for the bridge free of charge, but also undertook to bear half the cost of the tunnel at Hackenbeck. The bridge was designed by Mr. Michael Kirk A.R.I.B.A. of Cathedral Chambers, Suddery who, on Sir Topham Hatt's suggestion, based his design on that of I. K. Brunel for the GWR at Maidenhead. It was completed in 1925, and has since needed only minimal maintenance, thus giving excellent testimony to the qualities of Ffarquhar stone.

Appearances[]

Trivia[]

• It is based on the Maidenhead Railway Bridge, also known as the Maidenhead Viaduct or The Sounding Arch, which was built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and carries the Great Western Main Line over the River Thames at Maidenhead.
• The Rev. W. Awdry originally planned to feature the viaduct on his Ffarquhar Branch Mk2 layout - as part of a scenic section to Elsbridge - but this plan was dropped in favour of a much simpler corner piece depicting the Hackenbeck river and tunnel.

Gallery[]

The Railway Series[]

Main Series[]

The viaduct as illustrated by C. Reginald Dalby

Thomas' driver collecting water from the river

The viaduct as illustrated by Gunvor and Peter Edwards

Toby on the viaduct as illustrated by Clive Spong

Thomas' crew catching a swan on the viaduct

Companion Volumes[]

Miscellaneous[]

The viaduct as it appears in 1979 annual

Behind the Scenes[]

Proposed trackplan for Ffarquhar Branch Mk2 featuring Elsbridge Viaduct

Elsbridge Viaduct's basis, the Maidenhead Railway Bridge

Others[]

The viaduct as illustrated by Tony Wells