Latest updates

Stay in the know on the Historical Railways Estate.

Celebrating 200 years of rail with our first-ever viaduct open day

As part of our Railway 200 celebrations, we opened up the recently restored Chelfham Viaduct near Barnstaple to the public

Read all about the event

Wheatley Viaduct

Extensive restoration and repair work on the impressive Wheatley Viaduct is now complete.

Clifton Hall Tunnel

HRE engineer Andrew Willison and our contractor Amco Giffen visited St Augustine’s Primary School recently to show pupils the work at the Tunnel.

How disturbance can support biodiversity

Blog by Dr Jennifer Dodd, Associate Professor for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology at Edinburgh Napier University.

5 ways we support bats

April 2025 - To celebrate National Bat Appreciation Day, we’re shining a light on how we protect and support these fascinating and important mammals.

How we’re managing the increasing impact of scour

March 2025 - Scour is the leading cause of bridge failures in the world, and it’s become more common in recent years because of climate change.

Minding the gap on biodiversity: Autumn update

November 2024 - Find out how we’re getting on with our pioneering research project.

Old fogging hut converted to bat home

October 2024 - Discover how we’ve given bats a new place to hibernate.

Kicking off our innovative biodiversity project

July 2024 - An innovative study assessing the environmental importance of brownfield sites.

Repairs completed on scenic Devon viaduct

February 2024 - A breathtaking Devon view featuring a historic two-arched bridge has been preserved for years to come.

Volunteers join Halifax locals to make a clean sweep

January 2024 - Around 35 bags of rubbish were collected by contractors and volunteers during a festive clean up in Halifax.

Scheme wins national heritage award

December 2023 - Westfield Viaduct has won the National Railway Heritage Structures Award.

Engineer spotlight: the importance of collaboration

December 2023 - Engineer Colin McNicol talks about safety solutions at a HRE bridge in Kilmarnock.

Bat populations thriving on Historical Railway Estate

October 2023 - New data shows that bats are roosting in many of our tunnels, viaducts and bridges

Castlefield Viaduct — the ‘garden in the sky’

August 2023 - Engineer Fiona Smith discusses the transformation of the disused railway structure.

Tidenham Tunnel receives heritage award

June 2023 - The former railway tunnel has been transformed into an active travel route.

Somerset bridge opens for active travel

April 2023 - Shepton Mallet bridge forms a new section of the Somerset Strawberry Line.

Keeping three historic Devon structures safe

February 2023 - Three historical railway bridge have been given makeovers thanks to a £243,000 investment.

Cosmic rays uncover secrets of Victorian railway tunnel

November 2022 - Cosmic ray technology is being used in investigations of Balgray Tunnel in Glasgow.