See important guidance on the use of this record.

If you have any comments or new information about this record, please email us.

Summary

A wrought iron trussed railway viaduct built in 1874. It formed part of the Okehampton to Bere Alston railway line which was closed in 1968. The viaduct is believed to be the last surviving high metal viaduct in the country.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1002631: Meldon viaduct

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: SX59SE18
• National Record of the Historic Environment: 440878
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX59SE/3
• Old SAM County Ref: 908

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• VIADUCT (Constructed, XIX to Late 20th Century - 1874 AD (Between) to 1968 AD (Between))

Full description

Ancient Monuments, Untitled Source (Report - Survey). SDV218014.

Vis=-/10/1971 (ancient monuments) the viaduct is actually two structures, interwoven each carrying one set of tracks. Legs are of flayed, wrought iron plates, riveted together to form circular sections and tied by rods riveted to collars fixed round them. The decking is supported on warren girders. The line was closed in the mid 60's and the tracks were lifted. The viaduct is currently in temporary use as a lorry road for access to the meldon reservoir construction site.

DNH:13/3/1996, Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV218016.

Smc granted for works concerning the maintenance and refurbishment of the viaduct (dnh:13/3/1996).

DNH:2/7/1996, Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV218017.

Smc granted for works concerning the refurbishment of the existing viaduct (dnh:2/7/1996).

DNH:29/1/1998, Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV218019.

Smc granted for the construction of a cycle/walkway, the provision of viewing areas and the erection of parapet fencing (dnh:29/1/1998).

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV218021.

Osa=sx59se18.

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV218022.

Des=greeves, t. /archaeological sites within okehampton park and its vicinity/(1978)no a.7 in smr.

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV218023.

Dnh/smc letter/(13/3/1996)/in smr.

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV218024.

Dnh/smc letter/(2/7/1996)/in smr.

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV218026.

Dnh/smc letter/(29/1/1998)/in smr.

Minchinton, W., Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV2310.

Meldon viaduct, this 165m. Long wrought-iron trussed viaduct, completed in 1874 crosses the west okement with 6 girder spans, supported by lattice piers, the tallest of which is 36.6m. High (minchinton).

Weston, S., Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV38857.

Vis=-/-/1983 (weston) fmw visit.

Minchinton, W., 1973, Industrial Archaeology in Devon, 10 (Monograph). SDV362710.

A 540 ft long wrought iron trussed viaduct completed in 1874. Consists of six girder spans supported by lattice piers, the tallest of which is 120 ft high.

Falconer, K. A., 1980, Guide to England's Industrial Heritage, 87 (Monograph). SDV218025.

Line closed 1968. Meldon viaduct is the last surviving high metal viaduct in the country.

Fenn, R. D. W. + Yeoman, A. B., 2012, A History of Quarrying at Meldon in the Devonshire Parish of Okehampton: A Very Superior Quarry (Monograph). SDV351362.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.