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Coordinates: 51°29′12.5″N 0°37′04.5″W / 51.486806°N 0.617917°W / 51.486806; -0.617917
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|bridge_name= Windsor Railway Bridge
|bridge_name= Windsor Railway Bridge
|image= Brunelwindsorbridge.jpg
|image= Brunelwindsorbridge.jpg
|caption= The wrought iron railway bridge.<BR>''(Picture shows downstream side, looking towards Windsor.)''
|caption= Windsor Railway Bridge, downstream side, looking towards Windsor
|official_name=
|official_name=
|carries= [[Slough to Windsor & Eton Line]]
|carries= [[Slough to Windsor & Eton Line]]
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|mainspan=
|mainspan=
|length=
|length=
|width= {{convert|202|ft|m}}<ref name=IoE>{{NHLE |num=1319297 |accessdate=16 September 2008}}</ref>
|width= {{convert|202|ft|m}}<ref name=IoE>{{NHLE |num=1319297 |access-date=16 September 2008}}</ref>
|height= {{convert|17|ft|9|in|m}}<ref>River Thames Alliance. [https://web.archive.org/web/20080124114502/http://www.visitthames.co.uk/text.asp?PageId=320 Bridge heights on the River Thames.]</ref>
|height= {{convert|17|ft|9|in|m}}<ref>River Thames Alliance. [https://web.archive.org/web/20080124114502/http://www.visitthames.co.uk/text.asp?PageId=320 Bridge heights on the River Thames.]</ref>
|clearance=
|clearance=
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|long=
|long=
}}
}}
[[File:GWR-eton.jpg|thumb|255px|The brick viaduct carrying the GWR line into Windsor ''(looking east towards Eton College).'']]
[[File:GWR-eton.jpg|thumb|The brick viaduct carrying the GWR line into Windsor, looking east towards Eton College]]
'''Windsor Railway Bridge''' is a wrought iron '[[Tied arch bridge|bow and string]]' bridge in [[Windsor, Berkshire]], crossing the [[River Thames]] on the reach between [[Romney Lock]] and [[Boveney Lock]]. It carries the [[Slough to Windsor & Eton Line|branch line]] between [[Slough railway station|Slough]] and Windsor.
'''Windsor Railway Bridge''' is a wrought iron '[[Tied arch bridge|bow and string]]' bridge in [[Windsor, Berkshire]], crossing the [[River Thames]] on the reach between [[Romney Lock]] and [[Boveney Lock]]. It carries the [[Slough to Windsor & Eton Line|branch line]] between [[Slough railway station|Slough]] and Windsor.


The Windsor Railway Bridge was designed by the famed British [[civil engineer]] [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]], and is considered to be a forerunner to his last major work, the [[Royal Albert Bridge]]. It was built during the 1840s to carry the [[Slough to Windsor & Eton Line]] of the [[Great Western Railway]] (GWR). Having been delayed due to concerns raised by the [[Provost of Eton|Provost]] of [[Eton College]], construction was subsequently authorised, and the line and bridge alike were first opened to traffic in 1849. During the early 1860s, the original wooden approach viaduct was replaced by a brick counterpart. Having been built as a twin-track bridge, only one line has crossed the bridge since the line was singled as a rationalisation measure during the 1960s. In 1975, the bridge became a [[listed building|Grade II* listed structure]].
The Windsor Railway Bridge was designed by the famed British [[civil engineer]] [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]], and is considered to be a forerunner to his last major work, the [[Royal Albert Bridge]]. It was built during the 1840s to carry the [[Slough to Windsor & Eton Line]] of the [[Great Western Railway]] (GWR). On account of concerns raised by the [[Provost of Eton|Provost]] of [[Eton College]], the bridge had to cross the river while keeping it unobstructed in its entirety. Construction of the railway was subsequently authorised during 1848 and proceeded at a rapid pace, the line and bridge alike being first opened to traffic on 8 October 1849.

During the early 1860s, the original wooden approach viaducts were replaced by arched brick counterparts. During 1908, the bridge's [[cast iron]] piles were replaced by brick abutments, somewhat shortening its span to 184&nbsp;ft 6in, as well as the replacement of both cross girders and rail bearers with [[steel]] equivalents.<ref name = "eng time"/> While the Windsor Railway Bridge was originally built to carry a twin-track arrangement, only a single line has crossed the bridge since the railway was singled as a rationalisation measure during the 1960s. In 1975, the bridge became a [[listed building|Grade II* listed structure]].


==History==
==History==
The construction of what would become [[Slough to Windsor & Eton Line]] was an early ambition of the [[Great Western Railway]] (GWR), but had been delayed and thus unable to be included in the original [[Parliamentary Act]] obtained by the company on account of objections raised by the [[Provost of Eton|Provost]] of the nearby [[Eton College]].<ref name = "eng time">{{cite web |url = http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=166 |title = River Thames Bridge, GNR Windsor Branch |publisher = engineering-timelines.com |accessdate = 31 July 2021}}</ref> Parliamentary approval for the line was finally issued in 1848, but was accompanied by a provision for the protection of amenities pertaining to the college, which included the requirement that the [[River Thames]] be kept clear where the railway crossed it. This requirement naturally posed considerable restrictions upon the engineering of the crossing.<ref name = "eng time"/>
The construction of what would become [[Slough to Windsor & Eton Line]] was an early ambition of the [[Great Western Railway]] (GWR), but had been delayed and thus unable to be included in the original [[act of Parliament (UK)|act of Parliament]] obtained by the company on account of objections raised by the [[Provost of Eton|Provost]] of the nearby [[Eton College]].<ref name = "eng time">{{cite web |url = http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=166 |title = River Thames Bridge, GNR Windsor Branch |publisher = engineering-timelines.com |access-date = 31 July 2021}}</ref> Parliamentary approval for the line was finally issued in 1848, but was accompanied by a provision for the protection of amenities pertaining to the college, which included the requirement that the [[River Thames]] be kept clear where the railway crossed it, thus necessitating advanced design and materials.<ref name = "eng time"/>


Irrespective, construction of the line and bridge alike commenced almost immediately.<ref name = "eng time"/> The [[contractor]] appointed to build the bridge was a Mr George Hannet. During 8 October 1849, the completed route was opened to traffic.<ref name = "eng time"/>
Irrespective of this complication, construction of the line and bridge alike commenced almost immediately.<ref name = "eng time"/> The [[General contractor|contractor]] appointed to build the bridge was a Mr George Hannet. On 8 October 1849, the completed route was opened to traffic.<ref name = "eng time"/>


Between 1861 and 1865, the original wooden [[trestle]] [[viaduct]]s forming the approaches to the Windsor Railway Bridge were replaced by arched brick equivalents.<ref name = "eng time"/> During 2019, the viaduct was visually restored, removing [[graffiti]].<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.windsorexpress.co.uk/gallery/windsor/149393/helch-graffiti-tag-appears-on-railway-viaduct-overlooking-windsor-castle.html |title = 'HELCH' graffiti tag appears on railway viaduct overlooking Windsor Castle |publisher = windsorexpress.co.uk |first = Amy |last = Horsfield |date = 29 August 2019}}</ref>
Since its completion, numerous refurbishments and alternations to the original structure have been performed. Between 1861 and 1865, the original wooden [[Trestle bridge|trestle]] [[viaduct]]s forming the approaches to the Windsor Railway Bridge were replaced by arched brick equivalents.<ref name = "eng time"/> During 2019, the viaduct was visually restored, removing [[graffiti]].<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.windsorexpress.co.uk/gallery/windsor/149393/helch-graffiti-tag-appears-on-railway-viaduct-overlooking-windsor-castle.html |title = 'HELCH' graffiti tag appears on railway viaduct overlooking Windsor Castle |publisher = windsorexpress.co.uk |first = Amy |last = Horsfield |date = 29 August 2019}}</ref>


==Design==
==Design==
The Windsor Railway Bridge is a single-span structure, comprising three bowstring [[truss]]es which formed two bays, each carrying one of the original pair of tracks traversing the bridge.<ref>Humber, William (1870). [https://books.google.com/books?id=1SJRAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=A+Complete+Treatise+on+Cast+and+Wrought+Iron+Bridge+Construction&hl=en&sa=X&ei=z5zxT-qtN4bAtAaM3tmODw&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false ''A Complete Treatise on Cast and Wrought Iron Bridge Construction'']; Description of ''Windsor Bridge'' (1849), pp. 245-246. Lockwood & Co., London. Retrieved 3 July 2012.</ref> It is believed to be the world's oldest [[wrought iron]] railway bridge that remains in regular service.<ref>[http://www.mybrunel.co.uk/bridges/windsor.php Isambard Kingdom Brunel]</ref> Designed by [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]], the bridge has been considered to be a forerunner of Brunel's final masterpiece, the [[Royal Albert Bridge]] at [[Saltash]].<ref name=IoE/><ref name = "eng time"/> Due to its historical and engineering significance, the Windsor Railway Bridge became a [[listed building|Grade II* listed structure]] in 1975.<ref name=IoE>
The Windsor Railway Bridge is a single-span structure, comprising three bowstring [[truss]]es which formed two bays, each carrying one of the original pair of tracks traversing the bridge.<ref>Humber, William (1870). [https://books.google.com/books?id=1SJRAAAAYAAJ&q=A+Complete+Treatise+on+Cast+and+Wrought+Iron+Bridge+Construction ''A Complete Treatise on Cast and Wrought Iron Bridge Construction'']; Description of ''Windsor Bridge'' (1849), pp. 245-246. Lockwood & Co., London. Retrieved 3 July 2012.</ref> It is believed to be the world's oldest [[wrought iron]] railway bridge that remains in regular service.<ref>[http://www.mybrunel.co.uk/bridges/windsor.php Isambard Kingdom Brunel]</ref> Designed by [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]], the bridge has been considered to be a forerunner of Brunel's final masterpiece, the [[Royal Albert Bridge]] at [[Saltash]].<ref name=IoE/><ref name = "eng time"/> Due to its historical and engineering significance, the Windsor Railway Bridge became a [[listed building|Grade II* listed structure]] in 1975.<ref name=IoE/>


As originally built, the bridge had a skewed span of 202ft, which were carried on six ft diameter [[cast iron]] piles filled with [[concrete]].<ref name = "eng time"/> However, during 1908, these piles were replaced by several brick abutments; this alteration also had the effect of reducing the bridge's span to 184 ft 6in. In conjunction with this work, other refurbishments of the bridge were carried out, such as the replacement of both cross girders and rail bearers with [[steel]] counterparts.<ref name = "eng time"/>
As originally built, the bridge had a skewed span of 202&nbsp;ft, which were carried on six ft diameter [[cast iron]] piles filled with [[concrete]].<ref name = "eng time"/> However, during 1908, these piles were replaced by several brick abutments; this alteration also had the effect of reducing the bridge's span to 184&nbsp;ft 6in. In conjunction with this work, other refurbishments of the bridge were carried out, such as the replacement of both cross girders and rail bearers with [[steel]] counterparts.<ref name = "eng time"/>


Although the Windsor Railway Bridge had been originally designed to carry two tracks, and originally featured such a configuration across it, the track on the upstream side was permanently removed as a rationalisation measure of the wider line undertaken during the 1960s.<ref name = "eng time"/> The vacant space formerly occupied by the lift tracked has since been reused to carry utilities, including sewage lines and a water main.{{CN}}
Although the bridge bore two tracks, that on the upstream (west) side was removed as one of the rationalisations of the 1960s.<ref name = "eng time"/> The resulting space has since been reused for a sewer and a water main.<ref name = "eng time"/>

The accessing southern viaduct is {{convert|2000|ft}} to [[Windsor and Eton Central]], which is at street level as to its castle end where the land is at similar height; the northern is {{convert|3240|ft}}, thus a single plain-spanning bridge-viaduct measures more than {{convert|1|mi}}.


== See also ==
== See also ==
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[[Category:Tied arch bridges in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Tied arch bridges in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:1849 establishments in England]]
[[Category:1849 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed bridges]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed railway bridges and viaducts]]


{{England-rail-transport-stub}}
{{Berkshire-geo-stub}}
{{UK-bridge-struct-stub}}

Latest revision as of 16:28, 15 December 2023

Windsor Railway Bridge
Windsor Railway Bridge, downstream side, looking towards Windsor
Coordinates51°29′12.5″N 0°37′04.5″W / 51.486806°N 0.617917°W / 51.486806; -0.617917
CarriesSlough to Windsor & Eton Line
CrossesRiver Thames
LocaleWindsor
Maintained byNetwork Rail
Characteristics
DesignBowstring
MaterialWrought Iron
Width202 feet (62 m)[1]
Height17 feet 9 inches (5.41 m)[2]
No. of spans1
History
DesignerBrunel
Opened1849[1]
Location
Map
The brick viaduct carrying the GWR line into Windsor, looking east towards Eton College

Windsor Railway Bridge is a wrought iron 'bow and string' bridge in Windsor, Berkshire, crossing the River Thames on the reach between Romney Lock and Boveney Lock. It carries the branch line between Slough and Windsor.

The Windsor Railway Bridge was designed by the famed British civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and is considered to be a forerunner to his last major work, the Royal Albert Bridge. It was built during the 1840s to carry the Slough to Windsor & Eton Line of the Great Western Railway (GWR). On account of concerns raised by the Provost of Eton College, the bridge had to cross the river while keeping it unobstructed in its entirety. Construction of the railway was subsequently authorised during 1848 and proceeded at a rapid pace, the line and bridge alike being first opened to traffic on 8 October 1849.

During the early 1860s, the original wooden approach viaducts were replaced by arched brick counterparts. During 1908, the bridge's cast iron piles were replaced by brick abutments, somewhat shortening its span to 184 ft 6in, as well as the replacement of both cross girders and rail bearers with steel equivalents.[3] While the Windsor Railway Bridge was originally built to carry a twin-track arrangement, only a single line has crossed the bridge since the railway was singled as a rationalisation measure during the 1960s. In 1975, the bridge became a Grade II* listed structure.

History

[edit]

The construction of what would become Slough to Windsor & Eton Line was an early ambition of the Great Western Railway (GWR), but had been delayed and thus unable to be included in the original act of Parliament obtained by the company on account of objections raised by the Provost of the nearby Eton College.[3] Parliamentary approval for the line was finally issued in 1848, but was accompanied by a provision for the protection of amenities pertaining to the college, which included the requirement that the River Thames be kept clear where the railway crossed it, thus necessitating advanced design and materials.[3]

Irrespective of this complication, construction of the line and bridge alike commenced almost immediately.[3] The contractor appointed to build the bridge was a Mr George Hannet. On 8 October 1849, the completed route was opened to traffic.[3]

Since its completion, numerous refurbishments and alternations to the original structure have been performed. Between 1861 and 1865, the original wooden trestle viaducts forming the approaches to the Windsor Railway Bridge were replaced by arched brick equivalents.[3] During 2019, the viaduct was visually restored, removing graffiti.[4]

Design

[edit]

The Windsor Railway Bridge is a single-span structure, comprising three bowstring trusses which formed two bays, each carrying one of the original pair of tracks traversing the bridge.[5] It is believed to be the world's oldest wrought iron railway bridge that remains in regular service.[6] Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the bridge has been considered to be a forerunner of Brunel's final masterpiece, the Royal Albert Bridge at Saltash.[1][3] Due to its historical and engineering significance, the Windsor Railway Bridge became a Grade II* listed structure in 1975.[1]

As originally built, the bridge had a skewed span of 202 ft, which were carried on six ft diameter cast iron piles filled with concrete.[3] However, during 1908, these piles were replaced by several brick abutments; this alteration also had the effect of reducing the bridge's span to 184 ft 6in. In conjunction with this work, other refurbishments of the bridge were carried out, such as the replacement of both cross girders and rail bearers with steel counterparts.[3]

Although the bridge bore two tracks, that on the upstream (west) side was removed as one of the rationalisations of the 1960s.[3] The resulting space has since been reused for a sewer and a water main.[3]

The accessing southern viaduct is 2,000 feet (610 m) to Windsor and Eton Central, which is at street level as to its castle end where the land is at similar height; the northern is 3,240 feet (990 m), thus a single plain-spanning bridge-viaduct measures more than 1 mile (1.6 km).

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Windsor Railway Bridge.
  1. ^ a b c d Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1319297)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 16 September 2008.
  2. ^ River Thames Alliance. Bridge heights on the River Thames.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "River Thames Bridge, GNR Windsor Branch". engineering-timelines.com. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  4. ^ Horsfield, Amy (29 August 2019). "'HELCH' graffiti tag appears on railway viaduct overlooking Windsor Castle". windsorexpress.co.uk.
  5. ^ Humber, William (1870). A Complete Treatise on Cast and Wrought Iron Bridge Construction; Description of Windsor Bridge (1849), pp. 245-246. Lockwood & Co., London. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  6. ^ Isambard Kingdom Brunel
[edit]
Next crossing upstream River Thames Next crossing downstream
Queen Elizabeth Bridge (road) Windsor Railway Bridge Windsor Bridge
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