Yarm Viaduct

Yarm Viaduct is a red brick structure with 43 arches that spans across the valley, composed mainly of brick sections with two stone spans crossing the river. The entire construction rests on massive pillars that support the railway line running along the top.

The viaduct was designed under engineer Thomas Grainger starting in 1849 and completed in 1852 when it officially opened to traffic. It was part of the major railway expansion projects of the Victorian era that connected northern England with new transportation routes.

The structure shows how railways shaped the town and remains a landmark that locals notice in their daily surroundings. People walk beneath it or view the arches from the river, making it part of the area's everyday landscape.

The structure is easily reached from the riverside and can be viewed from below, particularly from the path along the Tees. Keep in mind that it remains an active railway line and direct access to the top is not publicly available.

The construction was remarkable for its time, as workers earned modest daily wages while the entire project required substantial financial investment. These economic details reveal the labor-intensive nature of such Victorian megaprojects and the simple wages of that era.

Location: Yarm

Official opening: May 15, 1852

GPS coordinates: 54.51179,-1.35699

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:11