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Coordinates: 51°33′29″N 1°08′33″W / 51.55806°N 1.14250°W / 51.55806; -1.14250
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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2017}}
{{Infobox Bridge
{{Infobox Bridge
|bridge_name=Moulsford Railway Bridge
|bridge_name=Moulsford Railway Bridge
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|length=
|length=
|width=
|width=
|height= {{convert|21|ft|8|in|m}}<ref>River Thames Alliance. [http://www.visitthames.co.uk/text.asp?PageId=320 Bridge heights on the River Thames.]</ref>
|height= {{convert|21|ft|8|in|m}}<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.visitthames.co.uk/text.asp?PageId=320 |title = Bridge heights on the River Thames |publisher = River Thames Alliance |date = January 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080124114502/http://www.visitthames.co.uk/text.asp?PageId=320 |archive-date = 24 January 2008 }}</ref>
|clearance=
|clearance=
|below=
|below=
| num_track = 4
| track_gauge = {{Track gauge|standard}}
| electrification = {{25 kV 50 Hz}} [[OHLE]]
|traffic=
|traffic=
|open= 1839 and 1892
|open= 1839 and 1892
Line 31: Line 36:
|lat=
|lat=
|long=
|long=
|heritage=Grade II* listed
}}
}}


⚫
'''Moulsford Railway Bridge''', also known locally as "Four Arches" bridge,<ref name="fourarches">{{cite web |url= http://www.cholsey.org/parishplan/SGEnviron8b.pdf |title= The Cholsey Parish Plan |publisher= Cholsey Parish Council |year= 2006 |accessdate= 28 December 2009 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> is a pair of parallel bridges located a little to the north of [[Moulsford]] and [[South Stoke, Oxfordshire|South Stoke]] in [[Oxfordshire]], [[UK]]. It carries the [[Great Western Main Line]] from [[Paddington railway station|Paddington]], [[London]] to [[Wales]] and the West across the [[River Thames]]. The bridge lies between the stations at [[Goring & Streatley railway station|Goring & Streatley]] and [[Cholsey railway station|Cholsey]], and crosses the Thames at an oblique angle on the reach between [[Cleeve Lock]] and [[Benson Lock]].
'''Moulsford Railway Bridge''', known locally as "Four Arches" bridge<ref name="fourarches">

{{cite web |url= http://www.cholsey.org/parishplan/SGEnviron8b.pdf |title= The Cholsey Parish Plan |publisher= Cholsey Parish Council |year= 2006 |accessdate= 28 December 2009
The original Moulsford Railway Bridge was built between 1838 and 1840, having been designed by [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]] for the main trunk route of the [[Great Western Railway]]. Built to carry a pair of [[broad gauge]] tracks across the Thames, it consists of four low semi-elliptical arches spanning the Thames at a considerably skewed angle of 60 degrees. During the 1890s, a second bridge was built immediately parallel to the original structure, enabling the railway to be expanded to a quadruple track configuration. The bridge was subsequently recognised as a [[Grade II* listed]] structure.<ref name=historicengland>{{NHLE|num=1285970|desc=Moulsford Viaduct (MLN14730) |accessdate=9 April 2016}}</ref> During the 2010s, the lines across the structure were [[railway electrification|electrified]]
⚫
}}</ref> is a pair of parallel bridges located a little to the north of [[Moulsford]] and [[South Stoke, Oxfordshire|South Stoke]] in [[Oxfordshire]], [[UK]]. It carries the [[Great Western Main Line]] from [[Paddington railway station|Paddington]], [[London]] to [[Wales]] and the West across the [[River Thames]]. It lies between the stations at [[Goring & Streatley railway station|Goring & Streatley]] and [[Cholsey railway station|Cholsey]], and crosses the Thames at an oblique angle on the reach between [[Cleeve Lock]] and [[Benson Lock]].


==Construction==
==Construction==
===First bridge===
===First bridge===
The original Moulsford Railway Bridge was built to carry the main line of the [[Great Western Railway]] (GWR) over the [[River Thames]].<ref name=historicengland/> Construction of this truck line between [[London]] and [[Bristol]] had been authorised by an [[Act of Parliament]] in 1835, with construction commencing during the following year. The bridge, along with many of the railway's engineering features, was designed by the accomplished engineer [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]], who was the leading figure in the GWR's engineering and management.<ref name=historicengland/><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.momentousbritain.co.uk/goq/Brunel_Engineering |title = Brunel Engineering |publisher = momentousbritain.co.uk |accessdate = 15 August 2020}}</ref>
The original bridge was designed to carry two [[broad gauge]] tracks by [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]] for the [[Great Western Railway]] and was built between 1838 and 1839, at the same time as [[Maidenhead Railway Bridge|Maidenhead]] and [[Gatehampton Railway Bridge|Gatehampton]] railway bridges. It is constructed from red brick with [[Bath stone]] quoins as four elliptical [[skew arch]]es of {{convert|62|ft|m}} span and a headway height of {{convert|21|ft|8|in|m}}.

The bridge, which was built to carry a pair of [[broad gauge]] tracks, was a relatively ambitious design, consisting of four elliptical [[skew arch]]es of {{convert|62|ft|m}} span and a headway height of {{convert|21|ft|8|in|m}}.<ref name=historicengland/> Consisting primarily of red brick with [[Bath stone]] quoins, it is skewed at an angle of 60 degrees to the river. The structure has often been regarded as being of an exceptional size for the era; to better accommodate such dimensions, Brunel incorporated a series of internal longitudinal walls and voids to lighten the superstructure, which also reduced the cost and time needed to construct it.<ref name=historicengland/> It has been alleged that the GWR had promised the [[Bishop of Durham]] to aesthetically embellish the bridge to mollify his doubts of the scheme.<ref name = "1970s objections"/> [[Historic England]] has observed the bridge to be one of the most impressive structures along the whole length of the railway.<ref name=historicengland/>

Construction of the Moulsford Railway Bridge occurred between 1838 and 1840, having been built at the same time as several other railway bridges on the line, including those at [[Maidenhead Railway Bridge|Maidenhead]] and [[Gatehampton Railway Bridge|Gatehampton]]; furthermore, design features are shared between these three bridges.<ref name=historicengland/> Relatively little alterations have been performed to the structure since its original opening to traffic, even the construction of a second bridge alongside did not result in significant changes to the original bridge, the two structures remaining distinct separate identities. Since the building of the second bridge, the first has been often referred to as the 'west' or 'fast' bridge.<ref name=historicengland/>


===Second bridge===
===Second bridge===
[[File:Moulsford Railway Bridge from upstream on the Stoke side.jpg|thumb|Moulsford Railway Bridge from the upstream side, the newest is closest]]
In 1892 the line was converted to quadruple track and a second bridge was built alongside the upstream side of the original and connected to it by girders and brick bridgelets. The second bridge was built to the same profile and dimensions as the original but it lacks the stone quoins of the original and the plain uncut bricks make a jagged pattern where they meet the faces of the bridge. The second bridge is also narrower, having been built to carry a pair of [[standard gauge]] tracks.
[[File:MoulsfordRailwayBridgeUnderside.jpg|thumb|The bridges from underneath; the original is closest]]
By the 1870s, capacity along the railway was becoming noticeably constrained by a lack of capacity, leading to pressure to widen the line wherever possible.<ref name=historicengland/> During 1892, the section of the line around the bridge was expanded to a quadruple track arrangement; to accommodate this, the construction of a second bridge was necessary. It was built alongside the upstream side of the original, being connected to it by a series of [[girder]]s and brick bridgelets.<ref name=historicengland/><ref name = "thames me">{{cite web |url = https://thames.me.uk/s01300.htm |title = Moulsford Railway Bridge |publisher = thames.me.uk |accessdate = 15 August 2020}}</ref> The two bridges are also joined together at the deck level by a series of vaulted brick footbridges.<ref name=historicengland/><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.architecture.com/image-library/RIBApix/image-information/poster/moulsford-railway-bridge-crossing-the-thames-below-goring-detail-of-the-arches/posterid/RIBA18426.html |title = Moulsford railway bridge crossing the Thames below Goring: detail of the arches |publisher = architecture.com |accessdate = 15 August 2020}}</ref>

The design of the second bridge was, like many other structures built for the expansion, was intentionally designed to be sympathetic to Brunel's original bridge; thus, it shares many similarities, such as identical profile and dimensions, to the first bridge.<ref name=historicengland/> It also has several differences, such as the lack of stone quoins, while the plain uncut bricks form a jagged pattern where they meet the faces of the bridge. The second bridge is also somewhat narrower than the first, having been built to carry a pair of [[standard gauge]] tracks.<ref name=historicengland/>

In relation to the original bridge, it is often referred to as the 'east' or 'relief' bridge. The second bridge has typically been regarded as possessing less intrinsic merit than the first one.<ref name=historicengland/>

==Alterations==
During the 1970s, the Great Western Main Line was subject to extensive reengineering work to enable 125 MPH running for the newly introduced [[Intercity 125]] services; accordingly, some changes were made to Moulsford Railway Bridge. Work on constructing safety refuges commenced, despite protection from preservation orders and objections filed by [[council]] authorities; [[British Rail]]'s chief engineering at [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]] was allegedly unhappy with the work, resulting in alternative plans being filed and subsequently enacted.<ref name = "1970s objections">{{cite web |url = https://www.henleystandard.co.uk/news/letters/90086/your-letters.html |title = Your letters: Beautiful bridges |publisher = Henley Standard |date = 8 April 2015}}</ref> Between March and July 2016, national rail infrastructure owner [[Network Rail]] commissioned contractors to perform repairs and cleaning activities to the two bridges; this involved the temporary staged closure of each arch to river traffic.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/416683/Moulsford_Railway_Bridge_Works.pdf |title = Moulsford Railway Bridge repair works |publisher = assets.publishing.service.gov.uk |date = 19 March 2016}}</ref>

During the 2010s, the railway lines crossing the bridge were [[railway electrification|electrified]], requiring the installation of {{25 kV 50 Hz}} [[OHLE]] across the structure. Members of the public voiced concerns over the aesthetic impact of such modifications to the structure;<ref name = "1970s objections"/> for its part, Network Rail commissioned studies into minimising the visual impact of the electrification effort.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Western-Visual-Amenity-Review_Phase-1-Repor.pdf |title = Options to Improve Visual Amenity of Electrification: Phase 1 Output Report – Preliminary Review of Options W1001K-BBR-REP-EOH-000001-A01 |publisher = Network Rail |date = 31 May 2016}}</ref>


==Picture gallery==
[[Image:Moulsford Railway Bridge.JPG|thumb|220px|left|Moulsford Railway Bridge (the later build) from the Moulsford side upstream]][[Image:MoulsfordRlyBr02.JPG|thumb|220px|none|The bridges from underneath with the original closest]]
{{clear}}
==See also==
==See also==
*[[Crossings of the River Thames]]
* [[Crossings of the River Thames]]
* [[List of railway bridges and viaducts in the United Kingdom]]


==References==
==References==
Line 54: Line 73:


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Structurae|id=s0011341|title=Moulsford Railway Bridge}}
* {{Structurae|id=20011341|title=Moulsford Railway Bridge}}
* [https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/665343 Moulsford Railway Bridge via geograph.org.uk]

* [https://www.picturesofengland.com/England/Oxfordshire/Moulsford/pictures/1084748 Image of Moulsford Railway Bridge via picturesofengland.com]
{{S-start}}
{{River bridge start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River item box}}
{{Brunel}}
{{River bridge line
|upstream=[[Winterbrook Bridge]] (road)|downstream=[[Goring and Streatley Bridge]] (road)
|location = SU595846}}
{{S-end}}

[[Category:Bridges across the River Thames]]
[[Category:Bridges across the River Thames]]
[[Category:Bridges in Oxfordshire]]
[[Category:Railway bridges in Oxfordshire]]
[[Category:History of Berkshire]]
[[Category:History of Berkshire]]
[[Category:Bridges completed in 1839]]
[[Category:Bridges completed in 1839]]
[[Category:Great Western Main Line]]
[[Category:Great Western Main Line]]
[[Category:Railway bridges in England]]
[[Category:Arch bridges in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Arch bridges in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Skew bridges]]
[[Category:Skew bridges]]
[[Category:Bridges of Isambard Kingdom Brunel]]
[[Category:Bridges by Isambard Kingdom Brunel]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed buildings in Oxfordshire]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed railway bridges and viaducts]]

Latest revision as of 15:28, 15 February 2024

Moulsford Railway Bridge
Moulsford Railway Bridge (original) from downstream
Coordinates51°33′29″N 1°08′33″W / 51.55806°N 1.14250°W / 51.55806; -1.14250
CarriesGreat Western Main Line
CrossesRiver Thames
LocaleMoulsford
Maintained byNetwork Rail
Heritage statusGrade II* listed
Characteristics
DesignSkew arch
MaterialBrick
Height21 feet 8 inches (6.60 m)[1]
No. of spans4
Piers in water3
Rail characteristics
No. of tracks4
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Electrified25 kV 50 Hz AC OHLE
History
DesignerIsambard Kingdom Brunel
Opened1839 and 1892
Location
Map

Moulsford Railway Bridge, also known locally as "Four Arches" bridge,[2] is a pair of parallel bridges located a little to the north of Moulsford and South Stoke in Oxfordshire, UK. It carries the Great Western Main Line from Paddington, London to Wales and the West across the River Thames. The bridge lies between the stations at Goring & Streatley and Cholsey, and crosses the Thames at an oblique angle on the reach between Cleeve Lock and Benson Lock.

The original Moulsford Railway Bridge was built between 1838 and 1840, having been designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel for the main trunk route of the Great Western Railway. Built to carry a pair of broad gauge tracks across the Thames, it consists of four low semi-elliptical arches spanning the Thames at a considerably skewed angle of 60 degrees. During the 1890s, a second bridge was built immediately parallel to the original structure, enabling the railway to be expanded to a quadruple track configuration. The bridge was subsequently recognised as a Grade II* listed structure.[3] During the 2010s, the lines across the structure were electrified

Construction[edit]

First bridge[edit]

The original Moulsford Railway Bridge was built to carry the main line of the Great Western Railway (GWR) over the River Thames.[3] Construction of this truck line between London and Bristol had been authorised by an Act of Parliament in 1835, with construction commencing during the following year. The bridge, along with many of the railway's engineering features, was designed by the accomplished engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who was the leading figure in the GWR's engineering and management.[3][4]

The bridge, which was built to carry a pair of broad gauge tracks, was a relatively ambitious design, consisting of four elliptical skew arches of 62 feet (19 m) span and a headway height of 21 feet 8 inches (6.60 m).[3] Consisting primarily of red brick with Bath stone quoins, it is skewed at an angle of 60 degrees to the river. The structure has often been regarded as being of an exceptional size for the era; to better accommodate such dimensions, Brunel incorporated a series of internal longitudinal walls and voids to lighten the superstructure, which also reduced the cost and time needed to construct it.[3] It has been alleged that the GWR had promised the Bishop of Durham to aesthetically embellish the bridge to mollify his doubts of the scheme.[5] Historic England has observed the bridge to be one of the most impressive structures along the whole length of the railway.[3]

Construction of the Moulsford Railway Bridge occurred between 1838 and 1840, having been built at the same time as several other railway bridges on the line, including those at Maidenhead and Gatehampton; furthermore, design features are shared between these three bridges.[3] Relatively little alterations have been performed to the structure since its original opening to traffic, even the construction of a second bridge alongside did not result in significant changes to the original bridge, the two structures remaining distinct separate identities. Since the building of the second bridge, the first has been often referred to as the 'west' or 'fast' bridge.[3]

Second bridge[edit]

Moulsford Railway Bridge from the upstream side, the newest is closest
The bridges from underneath; the original is closest

By the 1870s, capacity along the railway was becoming noticeably constrained by a lack of capacity, leading to pressure to widen the line wherever possible.[3] During 1892, the section of the line around the bridge was expanded to a quadruple track arrangement; to accommodate this, the construction of a second bridge was necessary. It was built alongside the upstream side of the original, being connected to it by a series of girders and brick bridgelets.[3][6] The two bridges are also joined together at the deck level by a series of vaulted brick footbridges.[3][7]

The design of the second bridge was, like many other structures built for the expansion, was intentionally designed to be sympathetic to Brunel's original bridge; thus, it shares many similarities, such as identical profile and dimensions, to the first bridge.[3] It also has several differences, such as the lack of stone quoins, while the plain uncut bricks form a jagged pattern where they meet the faces of the bridge. The second bridge is also somewhat narrower than the first, having been built to carry a pair of standard gauge tracks.[3]

In relation to the original bridge, it is often referred to as the 'east' or 'relief' bridge. The second bridge has typically been regarded as possessing less intrinsic merit than the first one.[3]

Alterations[edit]

During the 1970s, the Great Western Main Line was subject to extensive reengineering work to enable 125 MPH running for the newly introduced Intercity 125 services; accordingly, some changes were made to Moulsford Railway Bridge. Work on constructing safety refuges commenced, despite protection from preservation orders and objections filed by council authorities; British Rail's chief engineering at Reading was allegedly unhappy with the work, resulting in alternative plans being filed and subsequently enacted.[5] Between March and July 2016, national rail infrastructure owner Network Rail commissioned contractors to perform repairs and cleaning activities to the two bridges; this involved the temporary staged closure of each arch to river traffic.[8]

During the 2010s, the railway lines crossing the bridge were electrified, requiring the installation of 25 kV 50 Hz AC OHLE across the structure. Members of the public voiced concerns over the aesthetic impact of such modifications to the structure;[5] for its part, Network Rail commissioned studies into minimising the visual impact of the electrification effort.[9]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Bridge heights on the River Thames". River Thames Alliance. January 2008. Archived from the original on 24 January 2008.
  2. ^ "The Cholsey Parish Plan" (PDF). Cholsey Parish Council. 2006. Retrieved 28 December 2009.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Historic England. "Moulsford Viaduct (MLN14730) (1285970)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  4. ^ "Brunel Engineering". momentousbritain.co.uk. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  5. ^ a b c "Your letters: Beautiful bridges". Henley Standard. 8 April 2015.
  6. ^ "Moulsford Railway Bridge". thames.me.uk. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  7. ^ "Moulsford railway bridge crossing the Thames below Goring: detail of the arches". architecture.com. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  8. ^ "Moulsford Railway Bridge repair works" (PDF). assets.publishing.service.gov.uk. 19 March 2016.
  9. ^ "Options to Improve Visual Amenity of Electrification: Phase 1 Output Report – Preliminary Review of Options W1001K-BBR-REP-EOH-000001-A01" (PDF). Network Rail. 31 May 2016.

External links[edit]

Next crossing upstream River Thames Next crossing downstream
Winterbrook Bridge Moulsford Railway Bridge
Grid reference SU5953984714		 Goring and Streatley Bridge
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Moulsford_Railway_Bridge&oldid=1207729782"