The first major investment in the line under the privatised railway in the 1990s came in 1997, when the huge Chappel Viaduct underwent a £1.1 million restoration project.

The Restoration Project officially began on Monday 15th September 1997, the day after celebrations were held where local people dressed up in authentic period costumes to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Viaduct stone laying.

The main work, which started in October 1997 included repointing and repairing the brick arches and parapets, repairing the drainage and cleaning lime scale from the brickwork.

The project was completed by Jackson Civil Engineering in Ipswich on behalf of Railtrack. For the event Railtrack and Jackson Company directors dressed up in period costume, and conducted a ceremony close to the original one in 1847 when the foundation stone was laid, however instead of a stone a time capsule was buried by Vicky Moulton and Richard Ingram who were pupils aged 9 from Chappel Primary School.

The Capsule contained photos, plans and details of the restoration work, details of the ceremony, newspaper cuttings, a photograph of all the children in the school, and a description of school life in 1997. The ceremony finished the same was as the original - with a blessing by the local rector.

For more details about the viaduct, along with some photos, please visit the Information Archive