Tay Rail Bridge

The Tay Rail Bridge is a railway bridge between Dundee and Fife in Scotland, stretching 3264 meters and built from steel and puddled iron. The construction shows truss sections and carries two tracks over the Firth of Tay.

The original crossing collapsed in 1879 during a storm and claimed many lives, causing national shock. The present structure was completed in 1887 and shows improved construction methods learned from the earlier disaster.

The name recalls the wide estuary of the Tay, which flows here between both shores with regular tides and shifting winds. Commuters and travelers cross daily, linking the cities while the river water moves beneath them toward the North Sea.

Trains run regularly between both shores and connect the region with the Scottish rail network. Visitors can experience the crossing only from inside moving trains, as there is no footpath or cycle route.

The piers of the second structure stand beside the remains of the first, which stayed partly in the water after the collapse. These visible ruins recall the earlier tragedy and lie parallel to today's route.

Location: Fife

Location: Dundee City

Location: Dundee

Location: Forgan

Inception: 1878

Official opening: June 1, 1878

Length: 3,264 m

Made from material: steel, puddled iron

GPS coordinates: 56.43889,-2.98858

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:28