Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Barmouth Railway Bridge (partly in Arthog Community)
Barmouth, Gwynedd, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II*
- Broad class
- Transport
- Date of designation
- 22 March 1988
- Locality
- Barmouth Bridge
- Community
- Barmouth
- Unitary authority
- Gwynedd
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 52.71934, -4.04525
- Cadw reference
- 5207
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesLlyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of WalesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1795 "To Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bart ... the map of the six counties of North Wales is most humbly inscribed by his obedient humble servant" (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales).
Cadw's description
Location
Long viaduct spanning the Mawddach estuary immediately to the S of Barmouth and crossing into Arthog Community.
History
The Barmouth railway bridge was designed by Benjamin Piercy, engineer to the Cambrian Railways, and was opened in June 1867. It was rebuilt in stages from 1899-1909 by the Cleveland Bridge and Engineering Company of Darlington and by Abraham Williams, contractor of Aberdovey. Extensive repairs were carried out between 1981-5.
Exterior
Single-track railway viaduct (751 yards long) with 113 groups of timber supports (pile bents) and 5-span steel section incorporating a swing bridge (built 1899) towards the N (Barmouth) end. Rubble-faced abutment to N shore; concrete to S end. Low trabeated structure with longitudinal timbers supporting main timber deck and rails; cross-braced timber piles with raking shores supported by concrete foundations. Strapped steel cylinders to 2-lane opening section with twin bow-trussed girders tied over track; twin column supports with bulbous caps (wider to opening piers), metal deckand latticework braces. Lower boarded pedestrian walkway with modernrailing on upstream side (an addition of 1868-79).
Reason for designation
Listed grade II* as the only major timber-built viaduct still in use by British Rail.
Nearby in the register
- GlanafonDomesticunder 1 mi
- Achorage ViewDomesticunder 1 mi
- Graig FachDomesticunder 1 mi
- Graig FachDomesticunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.