Our hearts truly soften for magnificent railway bridges. There’s nothing quite like traveling over deep valleys and rushing rivers as we admire the beautiful scenery spread out beneath us.
And these structures are no longer just examples of engineering prowess; they have become landmarks that place destinations on the global stage and serve as visual testimonials to the progression of civil engineering.
This year, which stands out significantly in European history, marks 10 years since Scotland’s iconic Forth Bridge earned UNESCO World Heritage status—a rare distinction for a railway bridge. Additionally, this month the bridge is celebrating its 135th anniversary.
The famous cantilever railway bridge spanning the Firth of Forth is so deeply ingrained in Scotland’s national identity and cultural legacy that it even appears on certain editions of Scottish banknotes.
In what ways have railway bridges evolved throughout history?
Similar to how railways have evolved, bridges today do not resemble their appearance from a hundred years past.
“Over the last century, railway bridges have undergone considerable development,” explains Professor Luke Prendergast, a specialist in civil engineering with a focus on bridges at the University of Nottingham. “Previously, stone-arch type bridges were prevalent,” he notes.
These massive stone constructions were aesthetically pleasing, but they were ultimately replaced by steel bridges featuring truss systems.
But don’t make the mistake of assuming metal bridges can’t be works of art, too.
“Steel allowed longer spans to be created,” points out Professor Prendergast.
The most recent bridges are typically constructed using reinforced concrete and various composite materials, yet each of these designs can still be visually appealing. It ultimately boils down to individual preference when it comes to determining if the traditional masonry look is more agreeable with the eyes!
Don’t look down: Which are the world’s loftiest railway bridges?
Although the latest skyscrapers tend to be the tallest, this rule does not hold true for railway bridges.
Montenegro’s
The Mala Rijeka Viaduct became the globe’s tallest railway bridge upon its opening in 1973.
The title has since been claimed by a more recent bridge in Guizhou.
China
.
However, the statistics of the Mala Rijeka Viaduct remain remarkable – at its tallest point, this 499-meter-long bridge soars 200 meters above the river beneath it. As expected for such an enormous construction, significant reinforcement is required; thus, the biggest pier stands on a foundation as large as a tennis court.
Southern France’s
The Viaur Viaduct may not match the height of the Mala Rijeka Viaduct, yet it remains equally remarkable. This stunning steel construction dates back to 1902.
Renowned for its sophisticated design and impressive arches, this structure boasts a length of 220 meters. Architect Paul Bodin crafted its refined appearance using an innovative method called balanced arches. This approach required minimal use of metal and instead utilized a counterbalance technique to ensure stability without additional material.
At its tallest point, towering 116 meters over theViaur River Valley, this bridge stands as a testament to dedication, constructed using 3,800 tons of metal and secured by 160 tons of steel rivets—all requiring manual tightening.
Wonders of stone craftsmanship in France and England
No bridges can rival the beauty of the Chamborigaud Viaduct—a stunning structure consisting of 29 arches spanning 384 meters, constructed in the late 1800s by architect Charles Dombre for the Paris-Lyon-Mediterranean Railway Company.
A brick bridge that was constructed
Cévennes region
— featuring its extensive valleys and towering hills — making it far more reachable, the viaduct was designated a historic monument by the French government in 1984.
Another impressive feat of masonry is the Whalley Viaduct in Northern England, constructed to support the railway.
Blackburn
The rail link to Clitheroe crossing the River Calder Valley. Introduced in 1850, this structure was constructed using six million bricks and features 48 arches.
This impressive edifice has frequently been likened to a cathedral or monastery. This resemblance appears to be deliberate. The viaduct is near Whalley Abbey, established in the 13th century, and Terence Woulfe Flanagan, who designed the bridge, drew inspiration from the abbey’s religious architecture.
Another impressive example of stonework is the Ouse Valley Viaduct.
Sussex
In England, this impressive structure was built during the 1840s and stood out for its innovative design at the time. This railway bridge, featuring 37 arches, utilizes what are called jack arches to minimize the use of brick material.
The bridge’s sleek design is regarded as one of England’s most graceful railway structures and is renowned for its changing colors, thanks to its rust-red bricks (exactly 11 million) and cream-colored limestone, which were locally quarried.
Normandy
.
Construct it and visitors will flock: Renowned spans transform into travel destinations
Several of Europe’s most stunning bridges have become attractions in their own regard. A prime example is one such bridge.
Scotland’s
Glenfinnan Viaduct, which played a prominent part in the
Harry Potter movies
.
Professor Vasilis Sarhosis, who specializes in masonry bridges within the civil engineering department at the University of Leeds, greatly admires this structure for reasons beyond its graceful design.
“
Glenfinnan Viaduct
“The bridge was built over a century ago and remains one of the biggest in Scotland,” states Professor Sarhosis.
It was built with mass concrete, meaning it lacks any steel reinforcement, contrary to many contemporary railway bridges.
The Victorian period boasted many impressive engineering accomplishments, one of which is this 21-vaulted bridge featured on specific Scottish currency notes. Stretching over 380 meters, the finest vantage points can be found at the Glenfinnan Visitor Centre. This location also serves as the beginning of several walking trails adorned with viewing stations designed for visitors eager to appreciate this remarkable feat of engineering.
Scotland’s aforementioned UNESCO-listed
Forth Rail Bridge
Another remarkable site, situated on the periphery of Edinburgh, has made appearances in classic British films like “The 39 Steps” and “Carry On Regardless,” as well as in a recent episode of “The Simpsons.”
Introduced in 1890, this truss bridge features a design supported at one end only using approximately 54,000 tons of steel. It gained prominence due to its distinctive reddish color. Currently, its shade is achieved through custom-made red paint intended to mimic the initial reddish patina present when the structure was first inaugurated.
Another attraction for railway bridge enthusiasts is Switzerland’s Landwasser Viaduct, a prominent feature along the UNESCO-listed Albula Mountain Railway. Constructed in the early 1900s, this iconic structure was built without using scaffolding. The engineers appreciated the straightforward material handling since the viaduct was constructed using locally quarried limestone.
Dolomite Mountains
through which the
railway
passes.
Compared to the other railway bridges on our list, this structure is quite compact—it has six arches and spans only 142 meters. What sets it apart is its sharp curvature and how one end vanishes directly into a mountainside, making navigation extremely challenging before the bridge was built.
Likewise notable is the Sittertal Valley’s Sitter Viaduct, constructed in 1910 and standing as the tallest standard-gauge structure.
railway bridge
in Switzerland. Famous for its so-called fish-belly central truss (an unsupported central section that relies on strength provided by curving girders beneath the bridge), it championed innovative construction techniques and was hailed as an engineering marvel worldwide.
Further proof that
bridges can be attractions
in their own right is the Luís I Bridge in
Porto
In Portugal, one of the world’s most intricately designed railway bridges stands out, featuring stonework decorated with Portugal’s coat of arms. After dark, the upper level is illuminated by lanterns casting a warm, golden glow over the structure.
The mastermind behind the iconic Eiffel Tower, Gustave Eiffel, nearly became its architect. However, his proposals were ultimately turned down, and the responsibility fell into the capable hands of German engineer Théophile Seyrig instead.
A cutting-edge connection to a pedestrian-only skiing destination
Finally, a look ahead, more specifically, at one of the world’s most innovative railway bridges.
You’ll find the
Swiss Alps’
The Stoos funicular railway bridge links Schwyz to the car-free ski destination of Stoos. This transportation system boasts being the steepest funicular globally.
Travelers aboard this mountain train route — where the carriages look like polished glass spheres — journey through three tunnels and cross over two bridges. Among these, the standout structure is the bridge that spans the Muota River. Although it might not appeal to those who prefer classic designs, it remains an essential part of our celebration of the planet’s most stunning railway bridges.
