Building the last Main Line Railway

Catesby Tunnel and Viaduct: gcrcs163

A wonderfully industrious scene, captured during construction of the twelve arch viaduct which brought the GC's Main Line across the infant River Leam north of Catesby, Northamptonshire.

On the left, the structure's massive brick piers are beginning to take shape, whilst beside it a line of contractor's temporary railway makes the steep and winding climb out of the valley, doubtless something of a struggle for the small locos employed to bring men and materials to and from the site.

On the right, a scotch derrick and steam powered jib swing a bucket laden with spoil to a navvy standing on a large heap. Bricks either neatly piled or strewn haphazardly along the valley, are everywhere.

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