Stephenson's Viaduct
Stephenson's massive viaduct carried the Liverpool - Manchester Railway
across the Sankey Valley - thus creating an historic crossing- place in
England's transport history: The first English Canal of the Industrial
Revolution being crossed by the first Scheduled Passenger Railway.
The scene featured in many publications, and in overseas guides to
England.
Scans of prints not featured here would be most appreciated.
Send details of images you would be able to scan to:
david@scars.org.uk
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The line of George Stephenson's Liverpool to Manchester Railway
crossed the Sankey Valley near Newton-le-Willows. The Viaduct he
constructed there was the first major structure of the Railway Era, and
created an historical transport crossing-place - the first true
passenger railway over the first canal of the Industrial Revolution.
To satisfy opposition from the Sankey Brook Navigation Company, the
arches were built high enough to allow full-masted flats to pass
beneath. The Viaduct cost £45,200 to construct, and is set on some 200
piles 20 - 30 feet deep.
They are all drawn from the North, looking South, and date from the
1830's - apart from the first, which was published in about 1855.
There were a number of other prints published of this famous scene, and
we would be interested in hearing from anyone who discovers one we do
not already have in our Gallery.
Click an image to see it larger
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