Rail Bridge 1953

Shifnal’s First Railway Bridge

In 1846, an Act of Parliament authorised the building of a railway line from Shrewsbury to Wolverhampton passing through the centre of Shifnal. Despite problems with quick sand on the specified route and a riot between the English and Irish navvies, the full route was completed by 1849 and opened on 12 November, a day of heavy fog but one of great celebration with spectators at every station.

The coming of the railway was of great significance to Shifnal’s economy – the importance of Shifnal as a centre of the postal service, the goods yard and sidings served local businesses and agriculture. But it was of great significance visually, running as it does through the middle of the town on the 60ft railway viaduct with the graceful arch of the original bridge crossing above the Market Place. This cast iron bridge had been built at Horseley Co. Ltd ironworks at Tipton, Staffordshire: a company which had made its reputation from building canal bridges for Thomas Telford. Over the years, the arch was used by different companies as an advertising site.

By 1953, it was said that parts of this 100 year old bridge had cracked and that it should be replaced. It was expected that the bridge could be dismantled in a day – a Sunday but it proved tougher than predicted because it was perfectly sound. Far from being weak, it was still very strong and well put together. Dovetail joints meant the cast iron could not simply be lifted out, so oxy-acetylene cutters had to be used, but they turned out not to be powerful enough and special cutters had to be brought in.

The new bridge is made of steel plate girders from the Horsehay Works in Telford with reinforced concrete decking and while it is not so picturesque as the arched bridge, it has continued to carry the trains over Shifnal for the past 70 years.

With thanks to the Shifnal History Group for the description and pictures.