Ruhr-Viadukt Herdecke

Opened in 1879 as part of the Düsseldorf-Derendorf–Dortmund South railway, the viaduct was a technical feat, built using Ruhr sandstone to shorten the Ender Tunnel. Engineers designed a winding route to achieve a right-angled Ruhr crossing.

In May 1943, Operation Chastise caused a floodwave that swept away a pillar, narrowly missing an approaching train. In 1945, the Wehrmacht demolished two arches, delaying reconstruction until 1952, with trains resuming in 1957.

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Source

• Text: TracesofWar
• Photos: Stefan Scheer