Scotswood Railway Bridge

The Scotswood Railway Bridge spans 212.6 meters across the River Tyne with six distinct sections supported by five cast iron cylindrical piers.

Completed in 1871, this bridge replaced three previous structures, including an original wooden bridge from 1839 that burned down due to hot ash.

The bridge represents the engineering methods of Victorian railway construction, featuring a combination of wrought iron and cast iron materials.

The structure measures 7.7 meters in width and contains its longest span at 37.9 meters, now carrying water and gas utilities across the river.

The bridge deck follows a calculated angle across the river, eliminating sharp curves that would have required trains to reduce their speed.

Location: Tyne and Wear

Official opening: 1871

Length: 212.6 m

Longest Span: 37.9 m

Width: 7.7 m

Made from material: wrought iron, cast iron

GPS coordinates: 54.96800,-1.69400

Latest update: March 7, 2025 15:44