Altenbeken Viaduct
Railway viaduct near Altenbeken, Germany / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Altenbeken Viaduct (German: Altenbekener Viadukt, also known as Bekeviadukt or Großer Viadukt Altenbeken) is a 482 metres (1,581 ft) long and up to 35 metres (115 ft) high double track limestone railway viaduct. It spans the Beke valley, west of the town of Altenbeken, in the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
Altenbeken Viaduct Altenbekener Viadukt | |
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Coordinates | 51°45′48″N 08°55′36″E |
Carries | Hamm–Warburg railway |
Crosses | Beketal |
Locale | Altenbeken, Germany |
Official name | Altenbekener Viadukt |
Owner | Deutsche Bahn |
Maintained by | Deutsche Bahn |
Characteristics | |
Design | Arch bridge, Viaduct |
Material | Limestone |
Total length | 482 m (1,581 ft) |
Height | up to 35 m (115 ft) |
Longest span | 15.69 m (51.5 ft) |
No. of spans | 24 |
History | |
Construction start | 1851 |
Construction end | 1853 |
Inaugurated | 21 July 1853 |
Location | |
The viaduct is Europe's longest limestone bridge, and its construction was one of the earliest significant events in the history of rail transport in Germany. As part of the Hamm–Warburg railway between Paderborn and Altenbeken, it is still in use today. It is also the emblem of Altenbeken, and is depicted, in stylized form, on the coat of arms of the municipality.