A red-sandstone crossing of the Tweed that survives as engineering evidence for the railway economy which accelerated Galashiels textile growth.
Quick facts
- Date
- About 1849 for the North British Railway
- Architect / designer
- North British Railway; individual engineer not identified in the designation
- Type
- Five-arch sandstone railway viaduct
- Designation
- Category B listed railway viaduct (LB50690)
- OS grid reference
- NT 51569 35257
A railway bridge tied to an industrial town
Five segmental arches in squared sandstone rubble cross the river, with ashlar voussoirs, rusticated piers, cutwaters and a stone parapet. The line of the structure remains legible even without regular railway use.
Its story
Built around 1849 for the North British Railway, the viaduct formed part of the Edinburgh–Hawick route that became the Waverley line. Rail access linked Galashiels manufacturers to markets and coal. This portion of the route closed to regular passenger traffic on 6 January 1969.
Why it is included
It shows how a single structure can connect railway engineering, the River Tweed, industrial expansion and the afterlife of a closed transport route.
What to notice
- The five arches and the changing span conditions at the river and track.
- Boat-shaped cutwaters on both sides of the piers.
- The visual line of approach embankments beyond the masonry span.
Reading the surroundings
No public access across the deck is asserted. Observe only from lawful public routes and respect railway, river and embankment hazards.
Timeline
- c.1849 The viaduct was built for the North British Railway.
- 1862 The wider route was formally named the Waverley line.
- 6 January 1969 This section closed to regular passenger traffic.
- 2006 The viaduct was added to the statutory list.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
The designation describes five arches, while an older catalogue note summarises three main arches and a smaller track arch. The statutory description is followed here; a measured fabric survey would be needed to reconcile the counting conventions. No claim is made that the reopened Borders Railway crosses this viaduct.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: Galafoot Railway Viaduct, LB50690 — Designation, date, fabric, location and railway context.
- Trove: Redbridge Viaduct, Bridge 104 — Precise location, alternative names, closure date and national archive record.
Location
OS grid reference NT 51569 35257 · Location confidence: High: the designation and national catalogue fix the centre of the viaduct to metre-level points. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
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