Keekle Viaduct

Keekle Viaduct is a former railway viaduct near Keekle, Cumbria, England.

Keekle Viaduct
Keekle Viaduct in 2005
Coordinates54°31′57.0″N 3°32′22″W
CarriesEx-Cleator and Workington Junction Railway
CrossesRiver Keekle
LocaleKeekle Terrace, Cumbria, England
Characteristics
Design7 stone arches[1][2]
WidthTwin Standard Gauge Rail
History
Opened1 October 1879[3]
Closed16 September 1963[4]
Location

Context

The viaduct is a substantial structure which carried the double-track C&WJR's Cleator Moor West to Siddick Junction via Workington Central main line over the River Keekle.[5]

It is situated between the former stations of Cleator Moor West and Keekle Colliers' Platform.

Opened in 1879, it consists of seven equal stone arches across the river.[6][7]

Timetabled passenger services over the viaduct ended on 13 April 1931. Goods and mineral trains, with very occasional passenger excursions and diversions continued to use the line until it closed completely on 16 September 1963.

The tracks were subsequently lifted. The structure was offered for sale for £1 in 1992, but there was no initial response, as any purchaser would have to maintain and repair it, rather than demolish it and recover the stone.[8]

Modern Times

In 2013 satellite imagery showed that the viaduct still stood.

References
  1. Th viaduct in use, via Cumbrian Railways Association
  2. Joy 1973, p. 63.
  3. Marshall 1981, p. 164.
  4. McGowan Gradon 2004, p. 59.
  5. McGowan Gradon 2004, pp. 6, 11 & 40.
  6. Anderson 2002, p. 312.
  7. Marshall 1981, Opposite p.143.
  8. News 1992, p. 254.

Sources
  • Anderson, Paul (April 2002). Hawkins, Chris (ed.). "Dog in the Manger? The Track of the Ironmasters". British Railways Illustrated. Clophill: Irwell Press Ltd. 11 (7).
  • Joy, David (1973). Railways of the Lake Counties. Clapham, via Lancaster: Dalesman Publishing. ISBN 0 85206 200 1.
  • McGowan Gradon, W. (2004) [1952]. The Track of the Ironmasters: A History of the Cleator and Workington Junction Railway. Grange-over-Sands: Cumbrian Railways Association. ISBN 0-9540232-2-6.
  • Marshall, John (1981). Forgotten Railways: North West England. Newton Abbot: David & Charles. ISBN 0 7153 8003 6.
  • News, Whitehaven (August 1992). Peascod, Michael (ed.). "Not even for £1". Cumbrian Railways. Pinner: Cumbrian Railways Association. 4 (16). ISSN 1466-6812.
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