I've always thought that Swansea has one of the most flattering approaches to any British city by train. Not for Swansea the endless chugging through bleak and faceless suburbs that blunts the drama of arrival. The London to Swansea line arcs across the valley floor flanked on one side by the new sports stadium and the shining roofscapes of the Enterprise Zone on the other. That it does so is due to one of the great figures of the Industrial Revolution and of the Victorian age in general.The Landore Viaduct was originally a 1.760ft (563 metres) long timber structure designed by the great Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859). It was reputedly made from Canadian Pitch Pine and cost £20,000 to build. By 1833, and at the ripe old age of 27, Brunel had become Chief Engineer of the Great Western Railway. By 1847 he was in South Wales as the line from Paddington had been extended from Bristol to Cardiff. Construction started on the Landore Viaduct in 1847 and was ready for the opening of the South Wales Railway in 1850. Before that time there was no direct rail link with Swansea that crossed the River Tawe.
Surviving 19th engravings (see above) show a dramatic viaduct that used many different structural systems incorporated in one complex elongated design. The only surviving elements of Brunel's original design still to be seen are four arched stone piers alongside the Neath Road. The other piers and main central span date from 1888-89 and bear the inscription "Edward D. Finch & Co. Steel Builders, Chepstow 1889". These are made from wrought-iron. Further modifications occurred when the eastern end of the viaduct was embanked and the remainder re-decked with steel fabricated beams in 1978/9.
Richard Porch
This is an extract from Richard Porch's book 'Swansea: History You Can See', published in 2005 by Tempus Publishing / City & County of Swansea.
your comments
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Roland, Landore
I agree with Hilary and Tracy. Castle Morris is a site of historical significance, and iconic despite its appalling present condition. It's too far gone to restore to anything like it's original state, but needs stabilisation and access work to avoid a total loss.
Fri Jun 12 11:40:19 2009
Terence Quinlan, Oxford
I was born in Siloh Road opposite New Siloh Chapel and was lucky enough to go to Swansea Grammar School (Bishop Gore) being in the first group to go to the new school in Sketty.
I remember Landore when I was a child and used to play with my friends in the "tanks" opposite New Siloh. Like Joan from London we had a great deal of freedom, frequently going up to Llewelyns Park to climb trees and generally play around there.
Many visits to the bays in Swansea and Gower. Left Swansea when 19 to follow an apprenticeship and still have relatives in Swansea. Great days!
Wed Nov 19 15:34:20 2008
Joan from London
My grandparents lived beneath the Landore Viaduct where it crossed Neath Road. The old Landore Inn on the corner of Neath and Siloh Roads had been converted into flats and they had the downstairs flat. It was crude and cold and a real slum, but I spent many happy hours playing around it with the freedom no child could have these days. Few people had telephones in those days of WW11 and soldier sons or daughters had no time to warn my grandparents that they were on their way home.
As the London to Swansea train would approach the viaduct a window would be opened wide and a whistle would ring out over the sound of the train thundering overhead. Timing was critical but years of practice meant they had it down to a fine art. Down below my grandfather would hear it floating on the air and say "That's our Jack!" or "That's our Maggie!" By the time the train reached Swansea my Grandfather was dressed and making his way to the bus stop outside the Red Lion waiting to carry a kitbag or suitcase with pride, and the local Bobbie standing outside his little police box would smile and salute!
Wed May 14 09:50:44 2008
Keith on Landore
Left swansea in 1986 as a result of too many redundancies inflicted on me, however still visit my folks twice a year so maintain an interest.
Remember the big maintenace project on the Landore Viaduct. Also remember the Cleveland bridge being built across the River Neath joining Briton Ferry to the Llandarcy/Jersey Marine bypass.
Thu Jan 25 10:59:03 2007
Frank Clarke Swansea
My memories of the Viaduct are from a 14 year old working as a cleaner boy for the G.W.R at the engine sheds at Landore when in 1943 we had walk across it in the blackout because of the war to attend the water columns at Landore steelworks,in the winter to stop them freezing. All we had as lighting was a small parrifin lamp, on occasions trains in both directions would cross as we walked it frighten the life out out of us all for £1 aweek, the good old days?
Mon Sep 25 09:15:15 2006
hilary jones, morriston
I began studying Swansea via the books of Iris Gower. I soon became addicted to looking and researching old buildings. One which was the old copper works and the other Morris Castle which was one of the first high rise buildings which was built to accommodate the workers close by. I agree with Tracy from Ystradgynlais that it would be wonderful to make a resoration of the old site of the copper works and also Morris Castle and encourage people to have an insight of how these people lived and worked.
Wed Jun 7 08:39:18 2006
Tracy from Ystradgynlais
I never knew this was a Brunel design! This fact should be celebrated. It's a pity though that the whole area of the old works around Landore can't be restored as it is becoming an eyesore and is a poor reflection of the area's important past for Swansea
Thu Nov 3 13:26:03 2005
Roy Maddock Swansea made 1944.
Hi I have lived in the Hafod most of my life, every day for the last 6years I have
walked my dog Bella along the riverbank,
from the Landore club to the viaduct to try and keep fit. I love the history of Swansea. And yesterday morning I saw a party
of school children having history lessons.
Wed Sep 28 12:47:22 2005
What's your verdict on the Landore viaduct? Are there other great feats of structural engineering in Swansea that have caught your eye? Add your comments here.
