Kielder Viaduct

Back in the mid-19th century railways were springing up all over the country, linking communities and allowing businesses to transport goods. This was even true for very remote places like Kielder. The Border Counties Railway was built to connect the wider rail network to the North Tyne Valley to tap into the area's forestry and coal resources as well as for the residents of the sparsely populated valley.

Its construction occurred well before the area became the location of Kielder Reservoir, so the viaduct was originally built to span the Deadwater Burn, which ran along a steep sided valley. The work began in 1858, with Engineer John Furness Tone taking charge of the design with William Hutchinson and John Ridley taking care of the construction.

The viaduct's design is quite ornate for a bridge to carry a railway line and the reason behind this is down to the Duke of Northumberland, who had a hunting lodge at Kielder Castle. As the viaduct would need to pass within view of this lodge, the Duke insisted that its design should reflect its Gothic style. This is why the viaduct has battlements and false arrow slits! It was completed and opened in 1862. The railway serviced the valley for many years until the final passenger service on 15th October 1956 and goods service on 1st September 1958.

The viaduct fell into disuse and was purchased by the Forestry Commission and plans were made to demolish it, but in 1969 the Northumberland and Newcastle Society (N&NS) stepped in and bought it for the sum of £1.00 with a view to rescuing it. The N&NS carried out remedial work and repairs on the viaduct and helped it achieve Scheduled Monument status, giving it legal protection.

The construction of Kielder Water in 1976 saw further works to the viaduct, to strengthen the piers that would soon be underwater and waterproof the deck, and it now stands where Deadwater Burn enters Bakethin Reservoir.

The N&NS continue to look after the viaduct and in 2004, in partnership with Kielder Community Trust, they installed eight decorative panels between the parapets. The artwork panels were designed in conjunction with local community groups and school children and were created over the course of one weekend by 60 blacksmiths at a “Forge In” event at Kielder Castle.

The artworks illustrate various links to the history and nature found in the area including Owls, Fish, Trains, Bees and even the skewed arches of the viaduct itself (it is considered one of the finest, surviving examples of the rare skewed arch form of construction).

While no longer used to carry trains the viaduct still provides use for walkers and cyclists using the 26-mile-long Lakeside Way and runners who are mad enough to take on the Kielder Marathon. It gives amazing views over Bakethin and Kielder Reservoirs and the artworks provide interest and distraction for those of us who aren't a fan of heights!