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Writer's pictureAnthony Ronaldson (Associate- Structural Engineer)

Secrets of Suffolk's Structural Engineering: Ipswich Train Station


Ipswich Train Station, Suffolk
Ipswich Train Station, Burrell Road

Ipswich Train Station, situated on Burrell Road, is a notable example of Victorian engineering and architectural design. Completed in 1860, its design is attributed to Robert Sinclair, the Eastern Counties Railway's engineer, with contributions from Peter Bruff. Built with Suffolk white brick and red brick detailing, the station features a central two-storey block with a hipped slate roof, flanked by single-storey wings for functional and aesthetic balance.


Completed in 1860

Designed by Robert Sinclair, with possible input from Peter Bruff, showcasing Victorian engineering and architecture.

Suffolk white brick and red brick accents

Distinctive sash windows

1883 island platform addition

Stoke Tunnel connection


The station’s sash windows are a distinctive feature, divided into 11, 9, and 2 light arrangements under rubbed red brick arches. Triple brick-arched entrances add structural strength and symmetry, reflecting the precise masonry techniques of the period. Round-arched windows and decorative brickwork highlight the architectural style of the time.





In 1883, the Great Eastern Railway added an island platform. The platform structures include carved keystones, terracotta roundels, and cast-iron work by Matthew T. Shaw & Co. of Millwall. These additions demonstrate Victorian attention to both practicality and detail.

Nearby, the Stoke Tunnel, built in 1846 by Peter Bruff, is a 361-yard tunnel designed on a sharp continuous curve. Fossils found during its construction, such as rhinoceros, lion, and mammoth remains, provide a glimpse into the region's prehistoric environment.


Ipswich Train Station remains a key transport hub and a historical structure that showcases Victorian engineering and design.


 

JMS Engineers partners with architects across Ipswich, Suffolk, and East Anglia to deliver projects that combine engineering expertise with architectural vision.




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