Description and History of Site:-
The Skerne Bridge, designed by Ignatius Bonomi, was one of the world's first railway bridges. In 1825 the world's first public railway to use steam locomotives, the Stockton and Darlington Railway, was ceremonially opened with an inaugural journey from Shildon to Stockton. In the famous watercolour 'Opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway' painted in the 1880s by John Dobbin crowds are watching the inaugural train pulled by Locomotion cross the Skerne Bridge in Darlington.

Atkinson (1974): 'This elegant stone bridge across the river Skerne was designed by Ignatius Bonomi for the Darlington & Stockton Railway. It is included in the famous painting by John Dobbin of the opening of that railway in 1825. Today it is almost impossible to get a good view of the bridge, due to the adjoining gas works, and the northerly abutments are obscured by later widening of the track.'

Falconer (1980): 'Though in a setting scarcely recognisable from John Dobbin's famous painting of the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 1825, the elegant stone railway bridge over the River Skerne designed by Ignatius Bonomi is largely intact.'

Further Reading and References:-
https://www.hopetowndarlington.co.uk/plan-your-visit/skerne-bridge/
https://www.networkrail.co.uk/stories/worlds-oldest-rail-bridge-in-continuous-use-celebrates-milestone/

Atkinson, Frank. 'The Industrial Archaeology of North-East England'. David & Charles, 1974
Cossons, Neil. 'The BP Book of Industrial Archaeology'. David & Charles, 1975
Holmes, P J. 'The Stockton and Darlington Railway 1825-1975'. First Avenue Publishing, 1975
Falconer, Keith. 'Guide to England's Industrial Heritage'. Batsford, 1980
Barbey, M F. 'Civil Engineering Heritage - Northern England'. Institution of Civil Engineers, 1981

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Key Words :- river skerne railway bridge

Viewing the Site :- Can be viewed from the public footpath alongside the River Skerne

Address :- High Northgate, Darlington, Durham, DL1 1UR
Grid Ref :- NZ 29176 15558
Co-ordinates :- Lat 54.53446 , Long -1.550631
Local Authority :- Darlington Borough Council
Pre 1974 County :- Yorkshire - North Riding
Site Status :- Listed - Grade I
Historic England List No - 1475481,
Site Condition :- Operational site, in use for original purpose
Site Dates :- 1825 - current
Contributor :- Charles Morris - 19 January 2016

Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © Charles Morris