Wichnor Viaduct

Wichnor Viaduct (formerly known as Croxall Viaduct) is a 1,310 feet (400 m) viaduct on the former Birmingham and Derby Junction Railway line near Wychnor, Staffordshire, England[1] now part of the Cross Country Route.

Wichnor Viaduct
A small section of the Wichnor Viaduct
Coordinates52°43′53.71″N 1°43′10.13″W
CarriesCross Country Route
CrossesRiver Tame
LocaleWychnor, Staffordshire
Official nameWichnor Viaduct
Other name(s)Croxall Viaduct
Maintained byNetwork Rail
Characteristics
Total length1,310 ft (400 m)
History
Opened1839
Location

Construction

It was built in timber by the Birmingham and Derby Junction Railway as Croxall Viaduct[2] to cross the River Trent and the River Tame at Wychnor, Staffordshire. There were 52 bays of 20 feet (6.1 m) span each. The contract was let in March 1838 and it was built in just over 1 year. Passenger services began on 12 August 1839.[3]

The wooden viaduct was rebuilt in wrought iron in 1879.

In the 1930s, this was replaced with a steel construction by E.H. Darby, the London, Midland and Scottish Railway divisional engineer from Derby using 1,335 long tons (1,495 short tons) of new steel, with over 300 long tons (340 short tons) of steel from existing girders being re-used. A concrete plant and depot was installed at one end of the viaduct with temporary track laid to carry the concrete to the working points. 1,700 cubic yards (1,300 m3) of concrete were laid for the floor, weighing approximately 2,900 long tons (3,200 short tons), and 4,000 cubic yards (3,100 m3) of asphalt. Some 1.5 miles (2,400 m) of handrail tubing was installed. Work was undertaken between August 1931[4] and August 1932, 3 spans at a time on Sundays only to minimise disruption to rail traffic.[5]

References
  1. Labrum, Edward A (1994). Civil Engineering Heritage. Eastern and Central England. Thomas Telford House, 1 Heron Quay, London E14 4JD: Thomas Telford Ltd (for the Institution of Civil Engineers). p. 240. ISBN 072771970X.CS1 maint: location (link)
  2. Mogg, Edward (1840). Mogg’s Handbook for Railway Travellers. Edward Mogg. p. 230.
  3. "The Birmingham and Derby junction railway". Worcester Journal. England. 15 August 1839. Retrieved 25 October 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. "Viaduct to be Rebuilt. Work to Proceed in Sections. Wichnor Scheme". Derby Daily Telegraph. England. 13 August 1931. Retrieved 30 October 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. "Wichnor Viaduct. Big LMS Task Completed". Tamworth Herald. England. 20 August 1932. Retrieved 30 October 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
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