Somerset & Dorset Remaining Tunnels and Viaduts

[33011]

Having done the remaining stations on the S&D i thought i would do the remaining tunnels and viaducts along with map references where possible

Pitcombe viaduct

on leaving Cole station heading along the road in the former down direction take the next right which will take you to the viaduct but is down a narrow lane.


Pecking Mill viaduct

I do not have a map reference for the viaduct but it is on the main road just
north of Evercreech Junction station. Pecking Mill Viaduct was a 5 ach structure but the middle arch over the road has been removed.

Shepton Mallet Chalton Viaduct ST637437

This impressive 27 arch viaduct still stands and is well maintained. A curved structure 67ft high and 317 yards long.

Shepton Mallet Bath Road Viaduct ST620442

The upside of this viaduct collapsed during a winter gale on 2nd feb 1946 but was not repaired until the following August. I have seen pictures of trains still running over the viaduct using the down line whilst the viaduct was awaiting repair. Health and Safty would go balistic now a days.

Winsor Hill Tunnel ST616448

Both the up and down road tunnels are excessable

Hamwood Viaduct
A little further up the line from Winsor Hill Tunnels you will find Hamwood Viaduct a 5 arch structure

Chilcompton Tunnel ST 652522

Both bores are visible southern end. Northern end both infilled.

North Somerset Viaduct (also known as 5 arches) ST 678547

This Viaduct can be found by walking along the old S&D trackbed towards Midsomer Norton from the site of the former S&D station at Radstock and can be walked over or if you like can be walked under on the former GWR North Somerset line. You could do a circuit out from Radstock on the S&D and back via the GWR in about 20 minutes or you could explore both lines.

Home Farm Viaduct

The Truncated remains of Home Farm viaduct have strangely been converted into a house.

Wellow Viaduct ST 746583

Wellow viaduct a 4 arch structure sits in the middle of sharp bends so be careful.

Midford Viaduct ST 760606

Midford viaduct is found just south of the station and is accessable and as mentioned in the remaining station thread you can look down on the remains of the old GWR viaduct of the Camerton to Limpley stoke line which was in the opening scene in the film The Titfield Thunerbolt. Midford Viaduct is 167 yards eight arch structure.

Tucking Mill Viaduct ST 764615

Tucking Mill Viaduct can be seen by walking the S&D trackbed north of Midford station. As you walk the line you pass the site of the former Midford yard pass under Long Arch bridge and get a view of Midford Castle which was once owned by the Hollywood actor Nicholas Cage before reaching the Viaduct. The Viaduct can not be walked over yet but it is planned to be in the future as part of a Cycle way. If you go down to the bottom of the viaduct and up the path the other side you will be able to see the Southern port hole of Combe Down Tunnel.

Combe down Tunnel Southern End ST 763618 Northern End ST 755632

As mentioned above this tunnel will be re-opened as part of the Cycleway

Watery Bottham Viaduct ST 750634

Watery Bottham Viaduct is a 3 arch structure

Devonshire Tunnel Southrn end ST 748635 Northern end ST 743636

The Northern end of Devonshire Tunnel was infilled but was dug out again last year due to the tunnel being re-opened as part of the for mentioned cycleway

[tonyharker]

The Bath road viaduct at Shepton Mallet was effectively 2 viaducts side by side, so running over the remaining one was OK.

[33011]

Originally Posted by tonyharker

The Bath road viaduct at Shepton Mallet was effectively 2 viaducts side by side, so running over the remaining one was OK.

Heath and safety would not allow it now though.