Free Kirk Bridge
Location type
BridgeName and dates
Free Kirk Bridge (1846-)Opened on the North British Railway.
Description
This is a double track bridge which carries the East Coast Main Line. The original bridge was washed away in the floods of August 1948, leaving a single track spanning the gap where the missing bridge had been. It was replaced in December 1948 with a concrete and steel bridge with five spans. It was one of seven bridges carrying the main line which were washed away during the flooding of the 11th and 12th of August.
Tags
Bridge| Nearby stations Reston [1st] Reston Grantshouse Chirnside Edrom Ayton Eyemouth Crumstane Cockburnspath Burnmouth Duns Innerwick Marchmont Velvet Hall Norham | Houndwood Siding Reston Goods Renton Siding Auchencraw Siding Brockholes Bridge Billiemains Siding Restonhill Ballast Pit Penmanshiel Tunnel Chirnside Viaduct Chirnside Paper Mill Siccar Point Peelwalls Bridges Tourist/other Penmanshiel Memorial Edrom Church Edin^s Hall Broch |
| Location names in dark blue are on the same original line. | |
Chronology Dates
| 11/08/1948 | North British Railway Severe flooding on the 11th and 12th washes away seven bridges and causes six landslips on the East Coast Main Line. Only part of a parapet of the Free Kirk Bridge remained where a single track was left bridging the gap. The Penmanshiel Tunnel floods, with waters reaching almost to the tunnel roof. Large amounts of silt and rubble wash over the line at Grantshouse. With the line closed trains are diverted via Kelso. |
| 24/12/1948 | North British Railway The Free Kirk Bridge is replaced following flood damage in August. It is tested with A4 Pacific 60012 Commonwealth of Australia and Hunt Class D49/1 62706 Forfarshire on a train. |
