History

The Victoria Viaduct has stood proud over the River Wear since 1838. Even in today's modern world it is an impressive and imposing structure standing 130 feet above the river, 811 feet long and 23 feet wide. Its foundations are 40 feet deep.

An iron bridge was first propsed by Mr John Green but his design was rejected in favour of the masonry structure designed by Mr James Walker.

Its construction was by John Gibb and Son of Aberdeen and began in 1836 under the supervision of railway engineer Mr Thomas Elliot Harrison. The final stone was laid on 28th June 1838 which was Queen Victoria's Coronation Day. However, its construction was anything but straightforward. There were multiple accidents and deaths amongst the construction workers, who toiled in difficult conditions, including bad weather, severe winters, damp springs and the whole area was frequently shrouded in mist from the river during the Spring and Autumns. The bridge was finally completed and subsequently named the Victoria Viaduct in honour of Queen Victoria. The viaduct opened to rail traffic on 24th August, 1838.

The bridge was constructed mainly of local sandstone from Penshaw Quarry, which was owned by the Marquis of Londonderry, though Aberdeen granite was also incorporated to strengthen the structure. Total construction costs amounted to £40,338.10d. It was modelled on Alcántara Bridge across the River Tajo, in Cáceres Province, Extremadura, Spain. This is a Roman stone arch bridge built between 104 and 106AD by order of the Roman Emperor Trajan. It bears the inscription Pontem perpetui mansurum in saecula ("I have built a bridge which will last forever") on the archway over the central pier.

Above: the Roman-built Alcántara Bridge, Spain

Above: the original plans for the Victoria Viaduct

The Victoria Viaduct originally carried the Durham Junction Railway, the main line railway from London to Newcastle from its opening in 1838 until 1872 when the line was re-routed to the current route to the west of Durham. After this time, it was frequently used as a diversionary route whenever maintenance was being carried out on the main line. It finally closed to rail traffic permanently in 1991 after 138 years of service.

Durham County Advertiser, 01 June 1849:

Morning Post, 17 November 1860:

Yorkshire Gazette, 27 December 1862:

Kentish Chronicle, 26 September 1863:

Hereford Times 23 July 1864:

Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail 12 May 1898:

The Scotsman, 04 January 1916:

Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette, 23 August 1939: