In order to shorten its route to Scotland after completing the Settle & Carlisle line, the Midland Railway built a cut-off south of Nottingham which avoided Leicester, and started a line to run from a point on its main line from Sheffield to Bradford, avoiding Leeds. The high cost prevented completion of more than half of this line which terminated with a junction with the Lancashire & Yorkshire south of Dewsbury.
Some express passenger trains used this route relying on the LYR metals for the northern half. These included a Bradford - Sheffield express from 1909 - 1946, and the Bradford - St Pancras 'Yorkshireman' in the 1920/30s. The final section of line closed in August 1968.
Crigglestone Viaduct is 390 m long with 21 arches and is 25 m (80 ft) high. It is built of brick.
Horbury Viaduct is about one mile north and slightly smaller.
By road: Crigglestone Viaduct is visible from the A636 south of Wakefield. Horbury Viaduct is not far from the Calder & Hebble Canal at the Horbury Bridge crossing on the A642.
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