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→Victoria Bridge in preservation: sub heading for film and tv
The railway photographer Paul Riley was killed by a fall from Victoria Bridge in August 1976.<ref>Krause, I, ''Paul Riley - An Appreciation'', retrieved 28th January 2015. [http://gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2ph/sitel3ph/tribute.php Link]</ref> Lineside photographers are not currently permitted to cross Victoria Bridge on foot.<ref>SVR (H) corporate document SMS-POL-135, ''Lineside Photographic Policy (Permits & PTS Course)'', Issue 1 (19th September 2012). [http://www.svrlive.com/Pages/Downloads.aspx Link to download page]</ref>
In 1978 the Board was advised that the time had come for a major refurbishment of the bridge. This began in November 1979; the work included the installation of 54 new steel beams to replace the old (rotten) transverse timber baulks which formed the decking, replacement of more than 50% of the plate-work by 6 tons of new top plate, and the replacement of 3,500 rivets by high tensile friction grip bolts. The amount of plate replaced was necessary to achieve the required structural strength for a 21 ton axle load as specified by the Railway Board. At the same time the bridge received a complete repaint using 1,200 litres of paint. The scaffolding used around 2 miles of tube and 2½ miles of planking. The final cost was approximately £94,346, equivalent to almost £½ million at 2020 prices.<ref>[https://www.in2013dollars.com/uk/inflation/ UK Inflation Calculator]</ref> Despite adverse weather, the line was re-opened on time for Easter 1980,<ref Name="SVRNews58"/> although the winter closure meant that [[Christmas services|Santa Special services]] were moved to the north end of the line.<ref>SVR News 54</ref>
To preserve the structure the bridge has a permanent speed limit of 15 mph and is also subject to operating restrictions which means that two large engines may not work double headed over it. A lower 5mph speed limit applies to any two engines coupled together while passing over Victoria Bridge. This lower limit also applies to [[LMR 600 Gordon]] when working solo.<ref>General Appendix to Working Timetables and Rules and Regulations, Section O6(a)</ref>
===Victoria Bridge in film and television===
The bridge has featured in several films and television series, of which the best known appearance is probably the scene in 1978 film [[The Thirty Nine Steps]] where Richard Hannay (Robert Powell) escapes from a train and hangs beneath the bridge.
Other film appearances include the 1977 Walt Disney Productions live action film [[Candleshoe]] and the 1992 Merchant Ivory production [[Howards End]]. Television appearances include [[God's Wonderful Railway]] in 1979, the 1987 TV series [[Knights of God]], [[L For Lester]] (1982), [[Lost Empires]] (1986), and an episode of [[Rosie and Jim]] (1991).
<gallery>
File:39steps4.jpg|The Thirty Nine Steps: SVR volunteer Barrie Geens as a policeman during filming
Howards End screenshot 3.jpg | Howards End: City of Truro crossing Victoria Bridge
</gallery>
==Gallery==
