Latitude: 51.6785 / 51°40'42"N
Longitude: -3.7764 / 3°46'35"W
OS Eastings: 277273
OS Northings: 199239
OS Grid: SS772992
Mapcode National: GBR H4.5DTN
Mapcode Global: VH5GN.H2FM
Plus Code: 9C3RM6HF+9C
Entry Name: Aberdulais Viaduct (partly in Blaenrhonddan community)
Listing Date: 25 February 2000
Last Amended: 25 February 2000
Grade: II
Source: Cadw
Source ID: 22862
Building Class: Transport
ID on this website: 300022862
Location: Spanning the River Neath S of the Aberdulais Aqueduct and N of Dulais Fach Road.
County: Neath Port Talbot
Community: Blaenhonddan
Community: Blaenhonddan
Locality: Aberdulais
Built-Up Area: Neath
Traditional County: Glamorgan
Tagged with: Viaduct Railway viaduct
The Vale of Neath Railway was incorporated in 1846 and opened in 1851. Engineered by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the line was built to a broad gauge. The Aberdulais viaduct, like many others designed by Brunel, was originally constructed of timber with stone abutments, with the intention of rebuilding in stone at a later date. In the event the bridge was not rebuilt in stone until the late C19, after it was absorbed into the GWR in 1861.
A 5-bay viaduct, of which 4 bays span the River Neath, and a 5th bay on the W side spans Station Road. The abutments, belonging to the original bridge opened in 1851, are of coursed, hammer-dressed sandstone, while the later arches and parapet are of snecked, rock-faced stone with blue-brick arches. The piers have V-shaped cutwaters with pyramidal caps. Beneath the parapet is a thick projecting blue-brick band. The flat coping is of large bricks. The abutments are battered (with a concave profile beneath the deck) and are splayed outwards to retain an embankment. The deck carries a single track.
Listed for its industrial archaeological interest as a railway bridge designed in 2 phases, the original wooden structure having been replaced by the present stone bridge but incorporating the original abutments. Group value with Aberdulais Aqueduct.
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