There’s something about magnificent railway bridges that we just can’t resist. It’s hard to beat the experience of traveling over deep valleys and rivers while taking in the breathtaking scenery beneath us.
And they’re not just engineering accomplishments anymore; they’ve become landmarks that highlight destinations and serve as visual testimonials to the progression of civil engineering.
This year, which stands out significantly in European history, marks 10 years since Scotland’s iconic Forth Bridge earned UNESCO World Heritage status — a rare honor for a railway bridge. Additionally, this month the bridge is celebrating its 135th anniversary.
This famous cantilever railway bridge spanning the Firth of Forth has become an integral part of Scotland’s pride and cultural legacy, so much so that it is featured on certain editions of Scottish banknotes.
What modifications have occurred in railway bridge design throughout history?
Similar to railways, bridges have also changed significantly from their appearance a hundred years ago.
“Over the last century, railway bridges have undergone considerable development,” explains Professor Luke Prendergast, who specializes in civil engineering with a focus on bridges at the University of Nottingham. “Previously, stone-arch type bridges were widespread,” he notes.
These massive stone constructions were aesthetically pleasing, yet they ultimately made room for steel bridges featuring truss systems.
However, avoid the error of thinking that metal bridges cannot also be artistic masterpieces.
“Steel enabled the creation of longer spans,” notes Professor Prendergast.
The most recent bridges are typically constructed using reinforced concrete and various composite materials, yet each of these designs can still be quite visually appealing. It ultimately boils down to individual preference when it comes to determining which looks better: the traditional stonework or the modern approach!
Avoid looking down: Where are the planet’s tallest railway bridges located?
Although the latest skyscrapers tend to be the tallest, this rule does not hold true for railway bridges.
Montenegro’s
The Mala Rijeka Viaduct was crowned as the globe’s tallest railway bridge upon its inauguration in 1973.
The title has since been claimed by a more recent bridge in Guizhou.
China
.
However, the statistics of the Mala Rijeka Viaduct remain remarkable — at its tallest point, the 499-meter-long bridge soars 200 meters above the river beneath it. As expected for such an enormous construction, substantial reinforcement is necessary; thus, the biggest pier stands upon a foundation as large as a tennis court.
Southern France’s
The Viaur Viaduct may not match the height of the Mala Rijeka Viaduct, yet it remains equally remarkable. This elegant steel construction dates back to 1902.
Renowned for its stylish design and majestic arches, this structure boasts a maximum span of 220 meters. Architect Paul Bodin crafted its refined appearance using an innovative method called balanced arches, reducing the amount of metal needed and relying instead on a counterweight system to ensure stability without additional material.
At its tallest point, towering 116 meters over the Viaur River Valley, this bridge stands as a testament to dedication, constructed from an impressive 3,800 tons of metal and secured with 160 tons of steel rivets, each needing manual tightening.
Wonders of stonework in France and England
No bridges can surpass the beauty of the Chamborigaud Viaduct—a stunning structure consisting of 29 arches spanning 384 meters, constructed in the late 1800s by architect Charles Dombre for the Paris-Lyon-Mediterranean Railway Company.
A brick bridge that was constructed
Cévennes region
— featuring its deep valleys and towering hills — making it far more accessible, the viaduct was designated a historic monument by the French government in 1984.
Another impressive structure from the realm of masonry is the Whalley Viaduct located in northern England, constructed to support the railway.
Blackburn
The railway line to Clitheroe crossing the River Calder Valley. Opened in 1850, it was constructed using six million bricks and features 48 arches.
This impressive edifice has frequently been likened to a cathedral or monastery, suggesting that such an association may have been deliberate. Located near Whalley Abbey—a site established in the 13th century—the viaduct reflects inspiration from the architectural style of the nearby abbey. Its designer, Terence Woulfe Flanagan, drew upon elements reminiscent of ecclesiastical structures for his creation.
Another impressive example of stonework is the Ouse Valley Viaduct.
Sussex
In England, when this structure was built during the 1840s, it stood out for being quite advanced for its era. This particular railroad viaduct, which spans with 37 arches, utilizes what are called jack arches in architecture to minimize the use of brick material.
The slender design of this bridge is regarded as one of England’s most graceful railway structures and is renowned for its changing colors, thanks to its rust-red bricks (exactly 11 million) and cream-colored limestone, which were locally sourced.
Normandy
.
Construct it and visitors will flock: Renowned spans transform into travel destinations
Several of Europe’s most stunning bridges have become attractions in their own regard. A prime example is one such bridge.
Scotland’s
The Glenfinnan Viaduct, which played a prominent part in the
Harry Potter movies
.
Professor Vasilis Sarhosis, who specializes in masonry bridges within the civil engineering department at the University of Leeds, greatly admires this structure and emphasizes that its appeal extends beyond its graceful design.
“
Glenfinnan Viaduct
“The bridge was built over a century ago and remains one of the biggest in Scotland,” explains Professor Sarhosis.
It was built with mass concrete — this indicates that it contains no steel reinforcement, contrasting with many contemporary railway bridges.
The Victoria era boasted many impressive engineering accomplishments, among them this remarkable 21-arch viaduct featured on some Scottish currency notes. Stretching an impressive 380 meters long, the finest vistas can be enjoyed at the Glenfinnan Visitor Centre. This location serves as the beginning of several walking trails adorned with viewing stations designed for visitors eager to appreciate this extraordinary feat of architecture.
Scotland’s aforementioned UNESCO-listed
Forth Rail Bridge
Another remarkable site, situated on the periphery of Edinburgh, has made appearances in classic British films like “The 39 Steps” and “Carry On Regardless,” as well as in a recent episode of “The Simpson”s.
Introduced in 1890, this cantilever-truss bridge was constructed using 54,000 tons of steel and is renowned for its distinctive rust-red color. Currently, its shade is due to a specially formulated red paint designed to mimic the initial reddish-brown patina of the bridge upon its inauguration.
Another attraction for railway bridge enthusiasts is Switzerland’s Landwasser Viaduct, a prominent feature along the UNESCO-listed Albula Mountain Railway. Built in the early 1900s, this iconic structure was constructed without scaffolding. The engineers appreciated the straightforward material handling since the viaduct was made using limestone quarried directly from the mountain.
Dolomite Mountains
through which the
railway
passes.
Compared to the other railway bridges featured here, this one is quite compact—it has six arches and spans only 142 meters. What sets it apart is its sharp curvature and how one end seemingly vanishes into a mountainside, making it particularly challenging to traverse before the bridge was built.
Similarly impressive is the Sittertal Valley’s Sitter Viaduct, constructed in 1910 and standing as the tallest standard-gauge bridge.
railway bridge
In Switzerland, this structure gained recognition for its distinctive fish-belly central truss design—an un-supported midsection supported solely by curved girders underneath. This groundbreaking approach showcased novel building methods and earned global acclaim as a remarkable feat of engineering.
Further proof that
bridges can be attractions
on its own merits stands the Luís I Bridge in
Porto
, Portugal. This is one of the world’s most intricately decorated railway bridges, featuring stone carvings embellished with Portugal’s coat of arms. After dark, lights on the upper level cast a warm golden glow over the structure.
The mastermind behind the iconic Eiffel Tower, Gustave Eiffel, nearly took on the role of designing it himself. However, his proposals were ultimately turned down, and the task was handed over to German engineer Théophile Seyrig instead.
A groundbreaking link to a pedestrian-only skiing destination
Finally, a look ahead, more specifically, at one of the world’s most innovative railway bridges.
You’ll find the
Swiss Alps’
The Stoos funicular railway bridge links Schwyz to the car-free ski destination of Stoos. This transportation system holds the title for being the steepest funicular globally.
Riders aboard this mountain train—where the carriages look like elegant glass spheres—are transported through three tunnels and over two bridges. Among these, the standout structure is the one arching across the Muota River. Although it might not appeal to those who prefer classic designs, it remains an essential part of our celebration of the planet’s most stunning railway bridges.
