The History of the Skerne Bridge

The Grade I listed Skerne Bridge holds the distinction of being the oldest railway bridge in the world still in continuous use. It is a lasting symbol of the birth of the railways, connecting towns and cities for the first time and ushering in the Industrial Revolution.

Designed by Ignatius Bonomi and built in 1825 by George Stephenson using local stone, the bridge famously carried Locomotion No.1 with a train of coal and passengers across the River Skerne on 27 September 1825.

Traffic over the bridge increased far beyond the S&DR's expectations, and by 1828 the embankments leading to the bridge were showing serious damage. In 1829 the railway engaged John Falcus Carter of Heighington to repair it. He added curved flanking walls, holding back earth ramparts, that shored up Bonomi's failing embankments.

To celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 1875, artist John Dobbin was commissioned to paint a depiction of the the original opening day named the Opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway which shows Locomotion No.1 crossing Skerne Bridge. Click here to see his art work.

The bridge is perhaps most famous for appearing on the reverse of the five pound note during the 1990s and early 2000s alongside George Stephenson and Locomotion No.1.

On 19 June 1970 the bridge was listed as Scheduled monument number 1002331. On 7 December 2021, Historic England gave it a new designation as a Grade I listed building, in recognition of its architectural and historic interest.

Ahead of the 195th Anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington railway in 2020, Network Rail cleaned the stonework, removed plant growth and cut back the surrounding greenery to make the bridge more visible.

Before the redevelopment at Hopetown Darlington, access to the bridge and interpretation celebrating the history of this highly significant railway landmark was greatly improved. A new walking and cycle route was established as part of the improvements, opening up access to the bridge from John Street and Albert Road.

The improvements offer a safe, well-lit route for cyclists and walkers and also opens up the historic area to visitors arriving at what is now Hopetown Darlington.

Skerne Bridge has been recognised as a important cultural asset for the nation by Historic England and has been named as one of the nation’s '100 Places' – a list of irreplaceable places, buildings and historic sites that have had a remarkable effect on England’s history.

More information on the Skerne Railway Bridge, and its place on the Historic England 100 Places list, is available on the Historic England Website.

The bridge is still used today by local services on the Bishop Auckland to Saltburn line.