Railway Structures
Stone
Stone was widely used for construction of railway bridges and
other structures, but not in South East England because of lack of suitable
material. The only local stone available in any quantity is Kentish ragstone
and Sussex flint. Flint was quite widely used for buildings, but rarely for
structures, other than as a decorative feature.
Where stone was found it was often of poor quality. This is demonstrated by Blowers Hill bridge at Cowden station, where extensive repairs with brick have been necessary. This is also reflects the lack of availability of suitable stone in the area.
Stone bridges on the Mid Sussex Railway between Horsham and Petworth have also required repairs. Chesworth Lane bridge, Horsham (left) and Station Road bridge, Pulborough (right) have both been reinforced with concrete.
However, several Mid Sussex stone overbridges survive less altered, including those at Church Place, Pulborough (above left) and Worthing Road, Horsham (above right). In both cases the brick arch rings are original, but the bridge at Pulborough has had its parapets rebuilt in brick.
Another surviving stone bridge, also with brick arch rings, is this one just to the south of Kingscote station on the Bluebell line. |
| Bridge 187, Dunton Green, photographed on 6th November 2008.
photograph by Gregory Beecroft |
 |
Another stone bridge that has required extensive reconstruction is number 187, north of Dunton Green, where a brick arch has been inserted to support the original structure.
All photographs are copyright
return to the Railway Structures menu
return to picture gallery page
This page was created 22 November 2010
