The Old A74 - Harthope Viaduct Traditional Cache

This is a quick cache and dash or a nice place to stop for a rest beside Harthope Viaduct on the B7076 or The Old A74 between Elvanfoot and Beattock. 

The original structure was a three span arch truss built in 1848, but replaced in 1875 by a six span structure with wrought iron main girders and a timber deck supported on masonry piers and abutments. In 1923 the timber decks were replaced with steel cross girders, which were in turn replaced with concrete units during the 1950s. The road under the viaduct was upgraded to dual carriageway in 1965 only to be then by-passed by the M74 motorway. In 2006, The viaduct was replaced again in just 5 days. It now only crosses the B7076 and the river. There is still signs of the old viaduct on the south side of the viaduct. 

The Bridge in 1969

The Bridge Nowadays

The Cache itself is a regular sized box. Plenty of room for trades and trackables. Please ensure lid is snapped back on properly and the cache is replaced as you found it. The 2 black discs in the bottom of the cache are magnets. The cache should be placed so the lid faces out of the oneevre and the magnets facing into the barrier. Be careful with the younger ones, the road may be quiet at most times, but when something does come, they come fast. There is some safe parking nearby but you can't access it directly at GZ. It is an old section of the Old A74 that isn't used anymore except as a layby for truckers.