Difference between revisions of "Victoria Bridge"
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The bridge was designed by the Severn Valley Railway's chief engineer, [[John Fowler]]. It is largely constructed from cast iron; manufacture of the ironwork was subcontracted to the Coalbrookdale Company. The foundation stone was laid on [[The Severn Valley Railway under GWR/BR ownership# Construction: 1858-1861 | November 24th 1859]] by the SVR's resident engineer, [[Henry Orlando Bridgeman]], and the bridge was completed in May 1861. Its span, of 200ft, was at the time the largest iron arch span in the country<ref>Nabarro, G (1971), ''Severn Valley Steam''</ref>. | The bridge was designed by the Severn Valley Railway's chief engineer, [[John Fowler]]. It is largely constructed from cast iron; manufacture of the ironwork was subcontracted to the Coalbrookdale Company. The foundation stone was laid on [[The Severn Valley Railway under GWR/BR ownership# Construction: 1858-1861 | November 24th 1859]] by the SVR's resident engineer, [[Henry Orlando Bridgeman]], and the bridge was completed in May 1861. Its span, of 200ft, was at the time the largest iron arch span in the country<ref>Nabarro, G (1971), ''Severn Valley Steam''</ref>. | ||
| − | There is a near-identical railway bridge spanning the river Severn upstream at [[Buildwas]]. This bridge is known as [[Albert Edward Bridge]], named after the eldest son of Queen Victoria, who was later crowned as Edward VII. | + | There is a near-identical double track railway bridge spanning the river Severn upstream at [[Buildwas]]. This bridge is known as [[Albert Edward Bridge]], named after the eldest son of Queen Victoria, who was later crowned as Edward VII.<br> |
| + | Although the deck of Victoria Bridge was built to single track width, the abutments were built wide enough for [[double track]], meaning the bridge could have relatively easily been converted to double track. | ||
==Victoria Bridge in preservation== | ==Victoria Bridge in preservation== | ||
Revision as of 11:05, 12 November 2015
Victoria Bridge (Bridge 15) carries the railway across the River Severn ½ mile south of Arley.
Construction
The bridge was designed by the Severn Valley Railway's chief engineer, John Fowler. It is largely constructed from cast iron; manufacture of the ironwork was subcontracted to the Coalbrookdale Company. The foundation stone was laid on November 24th 1859 by the SVRSevern Valley Railway's resident engineer, Henry Orlando Bridgeman, and the bridge was completed in May 1861. Its span, of 200ft, was at the time the largest iron arch span in the country[1].
There is a near-identical double track railway bridge spanning the river Severn upstream at Buildwas. This bridge is known as Albert Edward Bridge, named after the eldest son of Queen Victoria, who was later crowned as Edward VII.
Although the deck of Victoria Bridge was built to single track width, the abutments were built wide enough for double track, meaning the bridge could have relatively easily been converted to double track.
Victoria Bridge in preservation
The railway photographer Paul Riley was killed by a fall from Victoria Bridge in August 1976.[2] Lineside photographers are not currently permitted to cross Victoria Bridge on foot.[3]
The bridge featured in the 1978 film The Thirty Nine Steps, in the scene where Richard Hannay (Robert Powell) escapes from a train and hangs beneath the bridge.
The bridge underwent a major overhaul over the winter of 1979-80, involving the renewal of 65 cross-girders, the decking, platework, and a complete repaint. The cost was approximately £65,000, equivalent to more than £360,000 at 2015 prices. The closure meant that Santa services were moved to the north end of the line[4].
Following another major refurbishment pre-December 2008, the bridge was re-opened by a young lady named Victoria Bridge from Cradley Heath. It was her first visit to the SVRSevern Valley Railway.
Victoria Bridge with Upper Arley in the distance, showing the single track width
View from the Wyre Forest with Eymore Wood in the background.
Storm damage after the 2007 floods.
References
- ↑ Nabarro, G (1971), Severn Valley Steam
- ↑ Krause, I, Paul Riley - An Appreciation, retrieved 28th January 2015. Link
- ↑ SVRSevern Valley Railway (H) corporate document SMSSafety Management System-POL-135, Lineside Photographic Policy (Permits & PTS Course), Issue 1 (19th September 2012). Link to download page
- ↑ SVRSevern Valley Railway News 54
See Also
Towards Kidderminster
List of infrastructure
Towards Bridgnorth
