Bolehall Viaduct

Bolehall Viaduct (formerly the Anker Viaduct), known locally as The 19 Arches is a 807 feet (246 m) viaduct on the former Birmingham and Derby Junction Railway line near Tamworth, Staffordshire, England now part of the Cross Country Route.

Bolehall Viaduct
Anker Viaduct from the Midland Counties' Railway Companion of 1840
Coordinates	52°37′50.8″N 1°41′10.5″W
Carries	Cross Country Route
Crosses	River Anker
Locale	Tamworth, Staffordshire
Official name	Bolehall Viaduct
Other name(s)	Anker Viaduct
Maintained by	Network Rail
Heritage status	Grade II listed [1]
Characteristics
Total length	807 ft (246 m)
History
Opened	1839
Location

Construction

It was designed by Robert Stephenson and G. Bidder. The Birmingham and Derby Junction Railway issued tenders for the contract in May 1837[2] and the contracts were let in August 1837.[3] It was built in rusticated ashlar stone with 19 arches to bridge the River Anker and was originally known as the Anker Viaduct. By February 1839 the construction was completed and the ballasting was being prepared for the permanent way. [4] The first engine traversed the viaduct on 1 July 1839 and the first train on 6 July. Passenger services began on 12 August 1839.[5]

See also

• Listed buildings in Tamworth, Staffordshire

References

1. Historic England, "Bolehall Viaduct (1293304)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 30 October 2017
2. "Birmingham and Derby Junction Railway. Contract for Works". Birmingham Journal. England. 20 May 1837. Retrieved 29 October 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
3. "Birmingham and Derby Junction Railway". Globe. England. 8 September 1837. Retrieved 29 October 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
4. "Birmingham and Derby Junction Railway". Sheffield Iris. England. 19 February 1839. Retrieved 29 October 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
5. "The Birmingham and Derby junction railway". Worcester Journal. England. 15 August 1839. Retrieved 25 October 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.