Holbeck (Farnley) Viaduct
The disused 1.1 mile (1.7 km) Holbeck Viaduct (also known as the Farnley Viaduct) has approximately 90 arches and was part of a 1.75 mile route from Leeds New Station (known as Leeds City Station since 1938) to a junction near Wortley Station.
The viaduct was built in 1880 - 1882 for the London and North Western Railway. Previously the L&NWR had used a portion of the Midland Railway's line between Monk Bridge and Globe Road, and were charged high rates. Many houses were demolished to accommodate the route. The main contractors were Naylor Bros., H. C. Findlay was the Resident Engineer; H. W. Nowell the contractor's engineer; Joel Bowden was the railway company inspector. Joseph Tillotson of Black Bull Street, Hunslet, were contracted to supply the ironwork for the viaduct carry the L&NWR's new line from Wortley to central Leeds, with iron bridges crossing Globe Road, Water Lane and Hol Beck, Silver Street, the Midland Railway Line, Holbeck Lane, Isle Lane, and Domestic Street[1]
The viaduct largely fell out of use in the 1960s following the Leeds City Station modernisation, and the last scheduled trains ran over the viaduct on 11 October 1987. The tight curvature discouraged electrification.
1881 '... in the neighboroughood of Sweet-street, Holbeck, and where this street forms a junction with Bridge-road, a large iron girder bridge is thrown across the thoroughfare. Yesterday morning eight men employed by Messrs. E. and B. Briggs, painters and contractors, Low Moor, were engaged painting the girders of the bridge when, by a breakage in the scaffolding, four of them were precipitated into the street, a distance of about 22 feet. Two of the workmen happened to be in the roadway at the time, and the remaining two saved themselves by catching hold of another portion of scaffolding, to which they clung until they could be safely released. So soon as was possible the four injured men were removed to the General Infirmary. Of these, Richard Pyrah, aged 24, Bottomley-street, Buttershaw, near Bradford, died on the way thither, but the other three are still under treatment at the Infirmary. ....'[2]
1882 'OPENING OF A NEW BRANCH RAILWAY IN LEEDS. The loop line constructed by the London and North-western Railway Company, extending from Leeds to Wortley, and securing for the trains of that company independent access the Leeds New Station, was opened for traffic yesterday. Major Marindin, R.E. on behalf the Board of Trade, inspected the permanent way and all the works connected with the extension last week. The usual tests were applied, the strength of the numerous bridges being separately tried with the combined weight of six locomotive engines, each weighing from 30 to 40 tons. The deflections resulting from this pressure were very slight, and the Inspector declared himself to be thoroughly satisfied with every part of the new branch and with the arrangements for working it. Accordingly all the London and North-Western traffic in and out of Leeds commenced yesterday to pass along the new line, the first train to run over being The Yorkshire Post special newspaper train which leaves Leeds for Lancashire at 3 a.m. daily. Hitherto the London and North-Western trains running in and out of Leeds have had to run on that portion of the Midland Company's system extending from Monk Bridge to Globe Road, resulting often in delay and occasionally in accidents at those busy converging points known as the Leeds Junction and the Whitehall Junction. Though the distances traversed over the new line from Leeds to Wortley is slightly longer than the old route, the change really results in a saving of time, the line being an independent one, the new road will always be much clearer than the old one, over a portion of which trains of the Midland and North-Western, as well as London and North-Western trains had run. Yesterday Mr H. C. Findlay, the company's resident engineer, under whose personal superintendence the new line has been constructed, together with Mr J. Bowden inspector for the company, Messrs Naylor Brothers, the contractors, H. Nowell, the contractors' engineer, Mr Swain, and other officials of the company, went over the extension, and found everything to work smoothly and safely. The principal feature of the line, which has occupied a little over two years completing, is a viaduct three-quarters of a mile long, composed of 86 brick and iron girder arches, having an average span of 23ft. 6in. This viaduct commences near the Leeds end of the line, adjacent to the timber yard of Messrs Brown, and crossing Globe Road, Holbeck, Water Lane, Silver Street, Midland Terrace, the Midland Railway, Holbeck Lane, Lane, Domestic Street, and Low Beck, terminates at Barkston Terrace, Mill Green. Water Lane, Holbeck, Silver Street, the Midland Railway, Holbeck Lane, Isle Lane, Domestic Street, and Low Beck are each crossed by one arch, the span in the last-mentioned instance being 60 ft. The line is continued forward from the Mill Green end of the viaduct, along an embankment through tho New Wortley Leamington Cricket ground, across Mill Green Goit, Gelderd Road, and thence on until it passes under the Great Northern Railway, where it comes to level ground, then runs through a cutting up to Wortley Station, and is carried on an embankment about a quarter of a mile further, to a point which joins the old main line of the London and North-Western Railway Company. For the purposes of the new line a large quantity of dwellings and other property was pulled down the neighbourhood of Holbeck, Efforts were made by the inhabitants of that portion of Holbeck, of which Domestic Street forms the centre, to induce the company to build a station thereabouts, but it was found to be impossible to accede to this request.' [3]
Bridge Road Bridge
This appears to have riveted box girders, but if so, it is not clear why the cross members appear to be riveted to the outer leaf. Aslo, the purpose of the cast iron members above the top flange is unclear. Photo taken from trackbed here.
See Also
Sources of Information
- [1] Forgotten Relics website - Farnley Viaduct