The largest viaduct in Britain to be constructed of concrete blocks and notable for its slender proportions.
Calstock Station, Commercial Road, Calstock, Cornwall, PL18 9QY
The Bere Alston & Calstock Light Railway was authorised to redevelop a narrow gauge mineral line near Callington in south eastern Cornwall. This was served by a wharf at Calstock Quay on the river Tamar. The new railway was authorised to make connection with the Plymouth, Devonport & South Western Junction Railway at Bere Alston on the other side of the Tamar, for further transport by rail.
The crossing was achieved by building a single track viaduct. With 12 60 ft. spans, a length of 333yds. and a height of some 120 ft. it is impressively slender and elegant. The use of concrete blocks by the designers, Galbraith & Church, was innovative. Until 1934 an unusual feature was a wagon lift on a siding alongside the viaduct which enabled wagons to continue to reach the wharf below.
The viaduct is listed Grade II* and is still in use.
By road: Close to the un-manned Calstock station.
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Forgotten Relics - Listed Bridges and Viaducts
