Such was the number of entries received and the quality of the completed work, it was decided to make two awards in the Structures Restoration Award, sponsored by Translink, in the 2023 competition. Reflecting the volume of work being undertaken north of the border on railway strictures, both of the award winners came from Scotland.
On Tuesday 4 June, the plaque awarded to Network Rail and Story Contracting for the restoration of the ex-Caledonian Railway viaduct over the River Forth was officially unveiled by Gavin McFarland on behalf of Translink, the sponsors of the award.
The bridge, which dated originally to 1905 and was itself a replacement of an earlier structure, was subject to a major project that started in October 2022. The extensive work included the replacement of more than 300 steel rivets and the difficult task of replacing all the bearings at the northern end of the bridge. In addition, a new permanent walkway was installed unobtrusively through the structure; this will provide access in the future in order to undertake general maintenance to the viaduct as and when required.

The unveiled plaque on the bridge at Stirling with, from left, Andy Savage MBE, chairman of the NRHA, Gavin McFarland, Programme Manager at Translink (the award’s sponsor), and Stewart Lothian, Regional Asset Manager (Structures) at Network Rail in Scotland.

The ex-Caledonian Railway viaduct over the River Forth at Stirling; one of two winners of Structures Restoration Award, sponsored by Translink, at the 2023 National Railway Heritage Awards.