Thousands seize unique opportunity to walk across iconic Devon viaduct
Standing at 70ft tall and 400ft long, this impressive structure in Devon is the largest narrow-gauge viaduct in the country.
It is maintained by National Highways’ Historical Railways Estate which invited people to enjoy the spectacular views from the bridge deck and enjoy a walk along the track bed of the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway as part of the Railway 200 celebrations.
This is a year-long campaign to celebrate 200 years of the modern railway and inspire a new generation to choose a career in rail. The HRE team were joined by the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway, and the Chelfham Valley Heritage Hub (at The Growforward Wellbeing Project) to host two days of events to mark Railway 200.
Helene Rossiter, Head of HRE, said, “We’re delighted the public opening has been such a great success and so many people walked across the viaduct over the weekend.
“This was a unique opportunity for the local community and rail enthusiasts to enjoy spectacular views from an iconic piece of North Devon history and share their own stories about the railway.
“We have a large stake in the railways’ history, maintaining over 3,100 former railway structures including bridges, tunnels, and viaducts across the country. Chelfham, like all our structures, is inspected regularly and in recent years we carried out brickwork repairs and vegetation clearance to ensure it stays in good condition and can be enjoyed for many generations to come.”
Lynton and Barnstaple Railway has a long-term goal of restoring the railway and supported the event with educational talks about the history of the railway line.
The Lynton-Barnstaple Railway line ran across the top of the viaduct from 1896 until it closed in 1935. It was designed by Engineer F.W. Chanter and comprises of yellow brick with rock-faced plinths to the piers. More than a quarter of a million bricks were used in its construction, with a cost of around £6,500.
Close to the structure is the former station, which consists of a waiting room and booking hall that has been restored to its former glory of the 1920s. This structure is owned by the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Community Interest Company and was available for visitors to experience.
What a fantastic initiative! Giving people the chance to walk across such an iconic viaduct is a memorable way to connect communities with major infrastructure projects. It's inspiring to see engineering achievements celebrated in such an engaging way. By the way, students looking for academic guidance often ask, How to write a effective marketing assignment? Learning from well-planned real-world campaigns and public engagement events like this can provide valuable marketing insights. Great post!
유익한 정보가 잘 정리되어 있어 필요한 내용을 빠르게 확인할 문화상품권 수 있었습니다. 할인 서비스를 이용하면서 경제적인 장점과 편리함을 동시에 경험할 수 있었습니다.
Exploring online construction management courses provides an opportunity to understand how these responsibilities contribute to successful project outcomes. The College of Contract Management offers programmes that cover key topics including project control, contracts, and leadership within construction environments. Building knowledge in these areas helps learners develop a broader perspective on industry practices. Managing construction projects successfully requires attention to planning, communication, and resource allocation.
Great article explaining why regular Gutter Cleaning should never be overlooked. Preventing clogs and water damage can save homeowners from expensive repairs in the future.
This article offers useful information for anyone wanting better financial organization. The explanation connected with Personal Finance In El Paso, TX makes the topic approachable for readers of all experience levels.