Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Pontwalby Railway Viaduct (partly in Glynneath community)
Blaengwrach, Neath Port Talbot, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Transport
- Date of designation
- 30 January 2004
- Locality
- Pontwalby
- Town
- Neath
- Community
- Blaengwrach
- Unitary authority
- Neath Port Talbot
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 51.74580, -3.60833
- Cadw reference
- 82446
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 LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1636 "Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ..." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Cadw's description
Location
On the S side of Pontwalby, the viaduct spanning the Nant Gwrelych.
History
Railway viaduct built to carry the Vale of Neath broad gauge double track over Nant Gwrelych at Pontwalby. The Act for the railway from Neath to Aberdare (with a branch to Merthyr) was passed in 1846 and construction began shortly after with I K Brunel as the engineer. The line to Aberdare was opened to goods and passengers in 1851 and the Merthyr branch from Gelli Tarw Junction in 1853.
Exterior
Railway viaduct, squared sandstone blocks with tooled angles and voussoirs. Five broad round arches with big cut stone voussoirs and red brick soffits carried on massive tapering piers, the tallest over 18m high. Each pier is divided on axis of viaduct by a tall arched opening with stone voussoirs. Bull nosed string course under parapet with flat stone coping. Fifth arch to SW has been blocked in stone with big open roundel in stonework with brick surround.
Reason for designation
Included for its special interest as particularly fine railway viaduct designed by I K Brunel, the renowned Victorian engineer.
Nearby in the register
- Pontwalby Railway Viaduct (partly in Blaengwrach community)Transportunder 1 mi
- Walls and railings to Bethany English Presbyterian ChurchReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Bethany English Presbyterian ChurchReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Bethania Calvinistic Methodist ChapelReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.