Tow Railway Viaduct

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A 4 arch stone built railway viaduct over the River Tow.

The viaduct consists of 4 semi-circular arches, each spanning 6 metres, the River Tow passes under the 2nd arch from the South. Built of coursed basalt with chamfered, tooled margins, it has rockfaced voissoirs. The viaduct has an imposing height, the springing line of the arches commencing at approximately 4 metres high. It is 36 metres long and there is 3½ metres between parapets, the viaduct is built with a subtle lengthwise curve and a weathered sandstone coping. Soffit of arches in coursed rubble. An embankment is formed on either side of viaduct.

Historical information

The Ballymoney to Ballycastle narrow guage line was given Royal Assent 22 July 1875. The guage was 3 feet. Construction of the line began in Jan 1879 and traffic commenced on 18th October 1880. The lowest tender was Messrs Connor and Manisty because of financial difficulties the contract was transferred to Messrs Butter & Fry.

The construction of the viaduct would have been begun in 1879 to enable the line to progress and probably finished around mid 1880. The engineer/architect was J E McKinnon and John Lanyon, son of Sir Charles Lanyon. I H R no. 3860-33.

References

Primary Sources
1. O.S. Map 1904 Ballycastle.
2. O.S. Map 1904 Rev. 1972 Antrim 8-12 NE
3. Patterson, The Ballycastle Railway p. 27.
4. Notes, 1st Survey, EHS Hill Street, Belfast

Secondary Sources
1. Ballycastle Conservation Area Booklet. DoE Planning Service 1989

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
D. Plan Form
F. Structural System
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A good example of a robust small 4 arch railway viaduct of the late 19th century. Built on a slight curve, it displays a good practical pragmatic design and makes, at present, a vigorous visual statement in the Tow valley.