Tees railway viaduct

The Tees railway viaduct was a steel and stone structure that spanned across the River Tees, connecting South Durham with the Lancashire Union Railway. The construction measured about 220 meters in length and rose approximately 40 meters above the river below.

Engineer Thomas Bouch, who later designed the Tay Bridge, built this railway link across the River Tees in 1860 to serve the growing regional rail network. The structure remained in use until 1971, when declining traffic and maintenance challenges led to its demolition.

The viaduct represents a time of industrial growth in Victorian England when railway networks expanded rapidly across northern counties, shaping how people and goods moved through the region.

The site sits near Barnard Castle and can be viewed from nearby roads, though access to the actual remains is limited. It helps to research the exact location beforehand, as the ruins are scattered and not fully preserved at a single viewpoint.

An ambitious project aims to build a pedestrian suspension bridge at the former viaduct site, designed to become the longest of its kind in Britain. This new structure would transform the historical location into a modern footbridge for visitors.

GPS coordinates: 54.55280,-1.94150

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:02