TODDINGTON (STANWAY) VIADUCT - A BRIEF HISTORY.

Sited on the old GWR Stratford On Avon to Cheltenham Railway, now owned and operated by the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Steam Railway, we take a look at this magnificent viaduct now requiring funds to waterproof the trackbed and carry out essential structural repairs. The target is £1.5M and the work will be carries out in 3 phases.

If you would like to donate to the viaduct fund appeal here is the link....

Click the DONATE button at the top of the homepage.

[abandonedrailwaya]

With over £275.000 raised so far, work is due to start on the viaduct in early November, and will last four months. The GWSR volunteer Permanent Way team will remove track and ballast. The contractor will then lay a concrete slab along the length of the viaduct, followed by a bituminous waterproofing layer. Once cured, ballast and rails will be relayed. Works will be complete in time for the 2024 reopening of the railway. Repairs to the piers will commence when funds allow and the appeal will continue into next year.

[ningenneko-coversong]

Beautiful and great architecture. They are important social infrastructure.
+1 🤝🎁

[jamesweekes]

Hi Ron, thanks to "PW Ron" for tipping me off to your channel. This was a wonderful video, thank you...apparently I have some catching up to do as this is my first. Donation made, hopefully I'll be able to ride this railway some day. James in Canada

[malcolmrichardson]

Great video of a magnificent viaduct, which as you say, must be kept open at all costs. £1.5m is a hefty sum for a preserved railway and vital for its continued running. Hopefully it won't jeapardise the future reopening to Honeybourne, which should make the GWSR even more secure. But, it's a reminder of the costs - human, financial and material - involved in building and maintaining such beautiful structures.

[martinmarsola]

Thank you for the video. A sad history, but one that has to be told. God rest the souls of the departed. Bless you Ron, for the video. ✝️🇬🇧🥲🇺🇸

[davidberlanny]

Hi Ron, Some great clips of the viaduct especially the ones through the arches lengthways👌👌. It's got quite a history, what a terrible day that must have been when it collapsed.

That's a hefty bill for the overhaul but it has to be done, It doesn't look like a quick job either. I remember reading about the embankment collapse that they suffered over ten years ago. I would expect that there will be other railways with similar problems, some have already replaced bridges (watercress line and north yorks moors).

Thought provoking video, well done. Have a great week.

[westcountrywanderings]

This was a superb video Ron.

I was on the GWSR about 3 weeks ago and I learnt all about what they needed to raise the £1.5M fund for when I was in Cheltenham Racecourse Station.

So, it was great to see exactly what work needs to be done from an 'on the ground' perspective. It was very insightful.

You put a lot of work into this video, and that opening shot was superb.

You also got some excellent shots of this most fantastic pieces of railway architecture.

Thanks so much.

Take care,

Paul.

[ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Ron, what a beautiful structure and interesting history. You had some stunning shots in there. The picture of the collapse shows that the parapet hadn't been added at that point, I wonder if that played a part. Keep them coming. Ron