Arthington Viaduct
In This Video We Visit The Arthington Viaduct, Here is some information below about this place.
Arthington Viaduct was originally known as Wharfdale Viaduct.
Before the commencement of the project is was reported in October 1845, that it had been originally thought “that the beautiful valley of Wharfedale would escape the view of the engineer on account of the difficulties presented by the hills on both sides”. However this was not to be the case as in July 1845 the Leeds and Thirsk Railway were to request tenders for the project. Although recorded that work began on 20th October 1845, work on Bramhope tunnel had already started by James Bray who had been given the contract by Leeds & Thirsk Railway. He was already employing several hundred men on the section of about five and a half miles from Wescoe Hill, near Weeton to Carr Bridge, Horsforth. The main operations were at Arthington and Bramhope where the tunnel expected to be 3195 yards long, was to be formed. There were already 19 shafts some of which were 50 feet deep. Bricks were required at a rate of 50,000 a week in the winter with twice as many in the summer months. Much of the stone and bricks were supplied by Pool Bank Quarries, owned by Bray. “The blasting of the rocks in the shafts has already commenced and explosions, resembling the firing of artillery, are frequently heard in the once peaceful vallies”