Those red pillars. Do you see them? Standing sentinel along the Thames they are remnants of a forgotten giant. This is Blackfriars Railway Bridge. Or rather what remains of the original Blackfriars Railway Bridge.
Blackfriars Railway Bridge wasn’t always just a memory. It once spanned the Thames carrying trains between Blackfriars Station and Ludgate Hill. Built in 1864 by Joseph Cubitt it was a marvel of Victorian engineering. The London Chatham and Dover Railway used it. Its ornate abutments proudly displayed the company’s insignia.
But Blackfriars Railway Bridge had a sister. St Paul’s Railway Bridge opened in 1886. It led to the newer station now simply known as Blackfriars. This newer bridge designed by Sir John Wolfe Barry and Henry Marc Brunel dwarfed its predecessor. It stole its thunder.
The original Blackfriars Railway Bridge became a relic. Trains stopped using it in 1885. It continued as a goods yard until 1964. Then it was demolished. Only those striking red pillars and a southern abutment survived.
The pillars originally stood in rows of three. But during the rebuilding of Blackfriars station in 2011 some were incorporated into the new structure. Only pairs remain. They are a poignant reminder of the old bridge. A testament to a bygone era. The LC&DR’s insignia was thoughtfully restored. It’s a detail easily missed but adds to the story.
Today you can see the original Blackfriars Railway Bridge’s abutments from the Thames Path. You can also see them from the embankment next to Blackfriars Underpass. Take a moment to appreciate them. They are more than just pillars. They are echoes of a bustling railway past. They are a part of London’s rich history. They are Blackfriars Railway Bridge.