Wharncliffe Viaduct - Time Line

Time Line

1836

A large body of Irish men engaged in constructing the Great Western Railway went to The Stag beerhouse, where a few Englishmen had assembled, and a row commenced. Hearing that the Rev. Dr. Walmisley, the rector, had dispatched a messenger to Brentford for the police, their rage was diverted to that worthy magistrate, whom they threatened to sacrifice to their fury. Three prisoners were sentenced to two months in the House of Correction by the magistrates, who sent a letter to the Company, and stated that unless something was done, it would be necessary to apply to the Government for a body of police or military, to be stationed at Hanwell.

3 May 1838

First trains run. The first locomotives to cross were the Vulcan and the Aeolus built by Tayleur and Co., of Warrington and the more famous North Star, built by Robert Stephenson and Company at Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

4 June 1838

The line opened to the public.

1839

Trains on the new railway left Hanwell for Paddington every morning at 8 and 11 am, and at 3 and 7 pm; also westwards for Slough and Maidenhead, at 9:30 am, and at 1:30, 4:30, and 8:30 pm.

Locally, it is often repeated to this day, that Queen Victoria so much enjoyed the view that she would have her train halt for a while on Brunel's spectacular viaduct over the river Brent.

1847

The engine of an Exeter Express lost a tyre from a 7-foot (2.1 m) drive wheel, near Southall. It killed two passers-by and derailed a goods train on the other track. As this happened at high speed, the express was unable to stop until it had passed over the Wharncliffe Viaduct.

Second World War

With the industrial base of Britain being so dependent on its rail system, this viaduct was seen by the Luftwaffe as one of their strategic targets. Local people still remember the many attempts made by the Luftwaffe to destroy the viaduct. Had they succeeded, it would have severed the arterial link, into and out of, the west London industrial estates for many weeks – if not months. All raids, however, fell wide of their mark or the bombs failed to explode.

24 November 2002

A First Great Western train from Swansea to Paddington, travelling at approximately 120 mph (190 km/h), derailed shortly after it passed through a set of points close to Southall station. The train remained upright but travelled a further 2 miles (3.2 km), passing an oncoming High Speed Train, through Hanwell station, and over Wharncliffe Viaduct before coming to a halt. There were no injuries to the 450 passengers on board, but the driver had to be treated for shock.