Lowgill Viaduct - Howgill, Cumbria UK - Railroad Bridges on Waymarking.com

The Ingleton Branch of the North Western Railway, opened in 1860, went from Clapham, through Ingleton, Kirkby Lonsdale, Sedbergh and Lowgill, before joining what is now the West Coast main line, just beyond here and south of Tebay. Passenger services ceased on 30th January 1954, and the line finally closed in 1967. It roughly follows the route of the River Lune from Tebay to Kirkby Lonsdale.

Rail history: (visit link)
Pictures of the line: (visit link)

Today small trees and bushes are lined up along the top of the viaduct. It is not used for anything and, along with the rest of the line, is generally being left to decay. The old rail line would make a brilliant rails-trails route through this beautiful valley but short-sighted politicians and self-interested landowners have prevented the realisation of its potential.

Part of the National Cycle Network (route 68) follows up the Lune valley but is confined to the narrow and tortuous lanes instead of taking advantage of this graded, traffic-free alternative. The Dales Way (long distance walking route) goes under the viaduct, as does the branch of the cycle network heading for Kendal.

The old station at Lowgill is long gone but if you travel by train up the main west coast line you can feel and hear the place where the two lines used to join, just before entering Tebay Gorge. The hamlet of Lowgill has a few old houses. Go east down the minor road to find a very narrow, 16th century bridge over the River Lune.

Bridge Type: Arch Bridge Usage: Abandoned/Not Active Moving Bridge: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   03/16/2022 MeerRescue visited it