Bridge-building project aims to put Harry Potter railway back on
WORK HAS now started on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s landmark 20-metre Bridge 27, the first in a series of scheduled vital repairs for the worldfamous visitor attraction and popular movie location.
Carrying the 180-year-old railway over the Eller Beck at Goathland Station, Bridge 27 is best recognised as the iconic track leading to Hogsmeade Station, where the young wizards embarked for Hogwarts in the first Harry Potter movie, The Philosopher’s Stone.
The 84-tonne, single span bridge is being constructed at Cleveland
Bridge UK’s 27,000 sq m factory in Darlington, which has the capacity to enable its engineers to undertake a full trial assembly of the structure.
Jim Mawson, head of operational delivery for Cleveland Bridge UK, said: “We are exceptionally proud to be part of such a landmark restoration project at one of the most iconic heritage railway lines in the world. It’s really pleasing to see our contemporary production methods using modern materials so perfectly blended with the classic design of this bridge to ensure it fits seamlessly into its North Yorkshire National Park surroundings.”
The ambitious project has been made possible by grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Rural Payments Agency, the Local Enterprise Partnership and the generosity of supporters.
Bridge 27 will make its journey to Goathland in the new year.