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A huge crane has hoisted the new Gaunless Bridge into place in County Durham.
A historic part of the Stockton and Darlington Railway was reinstated today (October 14) as the steel bridge was installed along the 12-mile S&DR walking and cycling route.
The historic trail follows the original railway line, which opened in 1825 and gave birth to the modern railway with the world’s first steam powered passenger train.
The new structure was recreated to honour the original Gaunless Bridge, which was built from 1823 to 1824 and was the first lenticular iron railway bridge.
The new Gaunless Bridge being installed in St Helen Auckland (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Considered to be the first iron bridge in the world to be built for modern railway, the original bridge was removed in 1901 and its ironwork can now be seen at Locomotion in Shildon.
Fantastic pictures taken today show crowds gathering as the 650 tonne crane lifted the bridge, which arrived in two parts, into place.
The new Gaunless Bridge being installed in St Helen Auckland (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
The two pieces will be welded together in the coming weeks.
The new bridge draws heavily on the “quality and ingenuity” of the original whilst being an “unashamedly modern” structure.
The new Gaunless Bridge being installed in St Helen Auckland (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
It will be supported by reinforced concrete pile foundations and includes weathering steel parapets and recycled glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) deck material.
Weathering steel railings will run along either side of the slopes to ensure the safety of path users while a reinforced slope will allow safe access between the bridge and embankment.
The new Gaunless Bridge being installed in St Helen Auckland (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Once the bridge is fully installed, there will still be two to three months of work to create accessible paths at either end of the bridge.
It will complete the S&DR Active Travel Route, which was created to celebrate the railway’s bi-centenary and follows the original line from Witton Park to Darlington.
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Cllr Tim McGuinness, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for rural, farming and transport, said: “We are delighted to be restoring a key part of County Durham’s history with the installation of the new Gaunless Bridge.
“Creating a new Gaunless Bridge has been a large and challenging project and this marks an exciting milestone for everyone involved.
“Once complete, people will be able to explore the original line and reconnect with our county’s incredible railway heritage."