Stamp End Bridge

Stamp End Bridge is a railway bridge built in 1848 for the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway, designed by John Fowler, the company's Chief Engineer. It features box girders designed by William Fairbairn and was partially reconstructed in 1903 for the Great Central Railway. The bridge is made of ashlar stone, wrought iron, steel, and blue engineering brick.

The exterior consists of a four-span bridge that crosses roads and the River Witham. Three of the side spans were completely reconstructed in 1903 using riveted steel plate girders. The main river span measures 66 feet 6 inches and is supported by rusticated ashlar piers, with girder bearings located behind walls of engineering brick adorned with stone dressings. The river span features parallel wrought iron box girders with small cross girders to support double track. In 1903, the span was strengthened by adding a central steel plate girder, from which the existing cross-members are supported at the midpoint by steel hangers. The original 1848 ironwork remains intact and continues to carry trains.

Historically, Stamp End Bridge is believed to be the oldest surviving wrought iron box girder railway bridge in Britain and possibly in the world. It is certainly the oldest such bridge in Britain still in use for train traffic. The development of the box girder, which was essential for creating long wrought iron spans, was pioneered by William Fairbairn and promoted by John Fowler. This innovation led to the later construction of the Torksey bridge, which is no longer in use, as well as the now-destroyed Robert Stephenson Menai bridge and the Brunel-designed Royal Albert Bridge at Saltash.