A corner of yorkshire THE CRIMPLE VIADUCT

The imposing grey-stone Crimble Valley Viaduct is one of the unsung manmade wonders of Yorkshire. It is 1,875ft in length with 31 arches, whereas the internationally famous Ribblehead Viaduct on the Settle-Carlisle Line is 550ft shorter and has seven fewer arches. It also predates the famous Ribblehead structure by almost 30 years having opened in 1848 to carry trains between Leeds and Thirsk.

The valley through which flows Crimple Beck on the south side of Harrogate was one of the main challenges faced by the railway’s chief financier George Hudson. However, unanticipated problems with floodwater encountered while digging the Bramhope Tunnel meant that the final section into Leeds was delayed for a year. The complete line was finally opened on 9 July 1849 when three trains carried 2,000 shareholders from Leeds to Thirsk and back.