In the Quirky Branch Lines in SE England thread, someone mentioned the swing bridges in East Anglia. I assume that these swing horizontally, rather than vertically. How are the tracks re-aligned once the bridge swings back, and how are they secured so that trains do not derail? I assume that they can only be crossed at low speeds.
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Swing Bridges
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Presumably the tracks are re-secured the same way as facing points are, with a locking bar and some sort of detection method for additional safety.
I can't speak for East Anglia but the swing bridges at Goole and Selby don't seem to require low speed working.
I can't speak for East Anglia but the swing bridges at Goole and Selby don't seem to require low speed working.
There are a few of these around: Banavie and Clachnaharry at either end of the Caledonian Canal, for example. I think Banavie has a 5 mph speed limit and Clach is 10. There's also Selby on the old ECML.
There are probably a few different systems out there, but generally there are hydraulic pins to secure the bridge in place so that the tracks line up.
We had 7 in East Anglia. We still have Trowse (Norwich), Reedham, Somerleyton and Carlton Colville (Oulton Broad). We used to have Breydon, Haddiscoe and Beccles.
Yes, they all swing horizontally, there are locking systems to ensure correct alignment with detection systems. Of the ones still in use I would guess Trowse is probably the fastest in terms of linespeed but generally the surrounding geography limits linespeed anyway.
Breydon was unique in that it's "Normal" position was open to river traffic.
Reedham Swing Bridge I know to have locking bolts (inserted via some sort of wheel/lever in the box) to secure the bridge (and thus track) in the correct alignment.
There is then some sort of mechanical interlocking that prevents the signals being cleared unless the bolts are engaged. Speed across it is not *that* slow - perhaps 20/25mph?
One problem with the bridge is that apparently getting the bolts back in on a particularly hot day can be difficult!
There is then some sort of mechanical interlocking that prevents the signals being cleared unless the bolts are engaged. Speed across it is not *that* slow - perhaps 20/25mph?
One problem with the bridge is that apparently getting the bolts back in on a particularly hot day can be difficult!
edwin_m
Veteran Member
Probably depends on the condition of the individual bridges and other things nearby that might limit speed. Some, possibly all, swing bridges actually lift before they swing to take the weight off the bits at the end that would have to slide.
The WCML did not ever cross the Ship Canal by a swing bridge. The high bridge south of Warrington was build by the Canal company and the line diverted before the canal could be opened. You can see the former route on a map, and similarly for the three other rail crossings of the canal at the time (excluding Runcorn where I think the bridge was there first). You may be thinking of the two road swing bridges across the Canal in Warrington.
The WCML did not ever cross the Ship Canal by a swing bridge. The high bridge south of Warrington was build by the Canal company and the line diverted before the canal could be opened. You can see the former route on a map, and similarly for the three other rail crossings of the canal at the time (excluding Runcorn where I think the bridge was there first). You may be thinking of the two road swing bridges across the Canal in Warrington.
eastdyke
Established Member
From memory I think that the speed limits for the 4 East Anglian swing bridges are all different!
Trowse 40, Reedham 20, Smerleyton 30 and Oulton Broad 25.
(Freight on the East Suffolk is 20 max. so a lower limit would apply at Oulton Broad, it may be even less than 20).
Trowse 40, Reedham 20, Smerleyton 30 and Oulton Broad 25.
(Freight on the East Suffolk is 20 max. so a lower limit would apply at Oulton Broad, it may be even less than 20).
eastwestdivide
Established Member
There's a directory of movable bridges (not just rail) in the UK at
http://www.movablebridges.org.uk/
http://www.movablebridges.org.uk/
There are swing bridges over the Manchester Ship Canal for several roads, a unique swing aqueduct carrying the Bridgewater Canal, and I think there may have been a swing bridge at the Manchester docks end for a railway of the canal company's internal railway system, but all main railway crossings have high-level fixed bridges.
There is also a modern vertical lift bridge for a road, and a second under construction (delayed by the collapse of its lifting deck last year). This may eventually also carry a Metrolink tram line. Trafford Road swing bridge also used to carry tram lines in the days of classic trams.
There is also a modern vertical lift bridge for a road, and a second under construction (delayed by the collapse of its lifting deck last year). This may eventually also carry a Metrolink tram line. Trafford Road swing bridge also used to carry tram lines in the days of classic trams.
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eastdyke
Established Member
I guess swing bridges were rather common around wet docks. A 1964 picture here (from Ipswich Star) of a dockside train on the swing bridge over the lock at Ipswich:
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/...LEzif1DSjFEKLIq0gzJsndFKBxImZFQI0Kjtty5lHQwSw
My own memories include J70 'tram' locos at the same location.
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/...LEzif1DSjFEKLIq0gzJsndFKBxImZFQI0Kjtty5lHQwSw
My own memories include J70 'tram' locos at the same location.
Not a swing bridge, but fascinating in its own right is the Vazon sliding bridge near Scunthorpe. Pennine Waterways has some pictures showing the locking gear. http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/sheffield/sy9.htm
Having been through it on a boat - the bridge has almost no gap between it and the canal when closed!
Having been through it on a boat - the bridge has almost no gap between it and the canal when closed!
Selby swing bridge has a speed restriction of 25mph - though that's mainly for the freight trains, as passenger ones will be significantly slower due to having just set off from or just about to stop at the station platforms.
As said above, swing bridges generally need to lift slightly before rotating - Selby's goes up by about 10mm. It was refurbished a couple of years ago, replacing the old control system with a lot of sensors so the bridge rotates and lines up perfectly so the hydraulic locking pins engage smoothly every time. It used to sometimes hunt a bit to get lined up before locking.
I park next to it, and walk under it twice a day, but rarely see it open (or either of Selby's two road swing bridges) these days due to the reduction in river traffic. In some ways it's a shame, but in others not so much. I used to regularly get caught on the wrong side whilst driving home with a rapidly cooling Chinese takeaway!
As said above, swing bridges generally need to lift slightly before rotating - Selby's goes up by about 10mm. It was refurbished a couple of years ago, replacing the old control system with a lot of sensors so the bridge rotates and lines up perfectly so the hydraulic locking pins engage smoothly every time. It used to sometimes hunt a bit to get lined up before locking.
I park next to it, and walk under it twice a day, but rarely see it open (or either of Selby's two road swing bridges) these days due to the reduction in river traffic. In some ways it's a shame, but in others not so much. I used to regularly get caught on the wrong side whilst driving home with a rapidly cooling Chinese takeaway!
When I first joined BR in the mid 1960's we also maintained the road swingbridge in Lowestoft beside the docks. It's been replaced with a Bascule bridge now, which is road authority maintained. I guess it was the docks - used mainly for fish - and the presence of rail tracks into the docks that led to the railway maintaining that bridge.
An image on the Wikipedia page for Bascule bridge: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rollklappbrücke_in_Oldenburg.jpg
I was surprised to see the OHLE electrification in place on that one! I can only assume the blue and white sign in the foreground is 'Neutral Section'?
Britain has its own 25kV electrified swing bridge at Trowse, Norwich, though it's single track and I gather it hasn't been opened to shipping for a while. A rigid overhead conductor is used over the bridge.
If the Selby-Hull line ever gets electrified, the double-track Selby swing bridge will presumably also have rigid conductors. It's probably too near the station to make do with a neutral section.
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Not quite the same as Lowestoft! There its the A12 main road to Ipswich that crosses the bridge.
Just out of interest, it would be possible to have the OHEL live in the lowered position but with quite a lot of switching and interlocking to make sure it's dead before it's moved.
Trowse is actually a double track bridge but when the line was electrified and resignalled it was reduced to a single track to save money. There's no real reason why it could not be returned to double track. But I understand NR are in negotiations with the Broads Authority to get it reclassified as a fixed span bridge - which would mean it could be replaced with a normal bridge. The old Port of Norwich has not seen a sea going ship in ages and the only other tall ships that pass there are sailing yachts that cant get any further than Prince of Wales road bridge anyway (that's near the railway station). so it seems we may well lose our OHEL swing bridge!
eastdyke
Established Member
The real reason it could not 'be returned to double track' is that you would need to find it first. It was removed in 1987 following installation of the current bridge!
The 'Prince of Wales Road Bridge' is known locally as Foundry Bridge.
tsr
Established Member
A speed limit of 5mph would be (and indeed is) a major hindrance for train performance, and outside depots, would usually be imposed in exceptional circumstances only.
I can assure you that there must be a very good reason (or multiple reasons) for that limit at Banavie. In fact, having been on a 156 a few times over that bridge, sometimes it doesn't even feel like it can properly handle that much.
I'm surprised that stock would not be otherwise capable of entering or exiting the platforms beyond a speed of 25mph. Many trains regularly enter and leave stations above 25mph around the country, especially at stations with longer platforms, where it would be silly to crawl along until you got to the stop markers or signals. There are also 20mph limits at a lot of termini, which trains would theoretically be able to exceed by at least 10mph if unimpeded.
I visit that area at least a couple of times a year and have been over that bridge (and the moveable road-over-river bridge on the A147 near the stadium) enough times to be disappointed to have never seen it open!
However, I was once on a train which was delayed because (if I remember correctly) the signalling system thought it was open...
Yes, well it's a lot of years since I was in the area so I bow to your superior knowledge.
I should have known it was Foundry Bridge though, smacked wrist!
I also see that my old office building which was Grovenor House on Prince of Wales Road is now being turned into flats and the old BRSA has gone the same way. I find it all a bit sad but I guess that's progress.
Is the Carrow Road lifting bridge still there or has that been replaced as well?
eastdyke
Established Member
The bascule bridge is still there. It is many years since I saw it raised. I did move away in early 2016 so am not fully locally aware these days.
There are now 2 'new' footbridges between Carrow Bridge and Foundry Bridge, both built to swing if needed. Novi Sad Friendship Bridge and Lady Julian Bridge.
Cheers!
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There was a railway swing bridge at Endon on the Caldon Canal near Stoke on Trent. This was a private siding from the Stoke-Leekbrook NSR line to serve a factory on the other side of the canal. The line was worked by a battery -electric loco and the centre pivot of the bridge is still in position on an island in the middle of the canal.
alex17595
Member
I do have some pictures of whats left.
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Sean Emmett
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The Ashton Swing bridge in Bristol, which (according to Wikipedia) hasn't swung since 1934 and has been welded shut since 1951, is getting a new lease of life as part of the Metrobus project...
https://travelwest.info/metrobus/metrobus-build/ashton-avenue-swing-bridge
https://travelwest.info/metrobus/metrobus-build/ashton-avenue-swing-bridge
CockneySparrow
Member
Is there any freight on that line at all
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