Stanway Viaduct, Railway viaduct in Gloucestershire, England
Stanway Viaduct is a railway viaduct in Gloucestershire spanning the Cotswold landscape with 15 brick arches supporting a single track. The entire structure was built from Staffordshire blue brick, giving it a distinctive dark appearance against the surrounding countryside.
The viaduct was constructed in 1903, though a serious accident during building resulted in structural collapse of several arches. This incident prompted important reviews of safety practices in railway engineering.
The structure serves the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, where vintage locomotives regularly cross it, connecting visitors to early railway traditions. Watching these trains traverse the arches offers a glimpse into how this engineering feat was meant to function.
The viaduct is visible from nearby footpaths and offers good viewing opportunities from a distance. Visitors should be aware that restoration work is ongoing and access to certain areas may be limited during repairs.
The entire viaduct was constructed exclusively from Staffordshire blue brick, a specialized material that gives the structure its distinctive dark color. This material choice reflected engineering practices of the early 20th century.
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