Auldhouseburn Viaduct

Location type

Bridge

Name and dates

Auldhouseburn Viaduct (1898-1911)

Opened on the Mid Lanark, Spireslack and Muirkirk Branch (Caledonian Railway).

Description

This viaduct, north east of Auldhouseburn Junction on the unsuccessful Mid Lanark, Spireslack and Muirkirk Branch (Caledonian Railway), was also known as Tor Hill Viaduct or Crossflatt Viaduct. Track was lifted around 1911.

Between the southern end of the viaduct and Auldhouseburn Junction the line passed over the Baird's Railway (Muirkirk) and Muirklirk Canal (both associated with the Muirkirk Iron Works),

Temporary rails were re-laid by a contractor to allow the girders to be removed in 1918. Steelwork was recovered for the Great War effort. The piers were blown up by the army, for training, in 1942.

John Thomas wrote, in Forgotten Railways: Scotland, 'Demolished by bombing and demolition exercises in both wars. Part of one pier remains'.

The approach embankments remain intact. Both north and south abutment remain along with parts of two southern piers, one a king pier. The others were reduced to mounds of rubble.

Tags

Viaduct

Aliases

Tor Hill Viaduct,Crossflatt Viaduct
06/10/2022