THORNHILL RR BRIDGES 1847 No. 6 & 8 YORKSHIRE HEW347 SE232 203 & HEW348 SE234 205 #6: N 53o 40' 44.2" W1o 38' 59.3" #8: N52o 28' 44.2" W1o 54' 49.0"
These bridges carry the former London and North Western RR across the Calder and Hebble Navigation and the River Calder respectively and carry considerable train traffic even today. They were designed by Thomas Graiger and cast by Joseph Buler of Stanningley, Leeds. They each have similar arches with similar decorative spandrels featuring gothic motifs. Number 6 has one skew arch with bold stepped masonry abutments to accommodate that angle. It has six ribs which span about 130 feet. Number 8 has two spans of about 100 feet with six ribs. They are said to be the oldest cast iron bridges still in heavy use.
The difficulty is in finding them because one cannot take a car anywhere near the single arch #6. One must hike along the Calder & Hebble Canal. The best place to enter is the Forge Road bridge between Thornhill and Ravensthorpe where there are steps down to the canal. Go under the road and walk for about ten minutes to reach Number 6.
The double arched Number 8 bridge crosses the River Calder and is very close to Ravensthorpe. On the main street, take a turn downhill at the Office Furniture Store opposite the Ravens Wharf Hotel on a street called Ravens Wharf Rd but not marked and at the end of the block you can walk through beside the iron gates of a parking lot down to the footpath along the river. To your left very soon is the bridge.
