Maidenhead Railway Bridge, Railway bridge in Windsor and Maidenhead, England
The Maidenhead Railway Bridge is a brick railway bridge spanning the River Thames with two dominant arches and smaller supporting arches on the riverbanks. The structure measures approximately 17.5 meters wide and displays carefully proportioned masonry construction typical of early Victorian engineering.
Isambard Kingdom Brunel designed this structure, which opened in 1838 as part of the Great Western Railway. Between 1861 and 1865, wooden viaducts were replaced with brick arches to support the growing railway network.
The bridge gained recognition through J.M.W. Turner's 1844 painting 'Rain, Steam and Speed - The Great Western Railway' displayed at the National Gallery. The artwork captures the structure as a symbol of industrial progress and railway innovation.
The best views of the bridge can be enjoyed from the Thames banks or nearby footpaths. Visitors can observe the structure from several vantage points without requiring special access permissions.
This bridge holds the record for the flattest brick arch span relative to its width in railway bridge construction globally. This remarkable technical achievement made it a model for subsequent engineering projects.
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