Train GraphicClick on the map to explore geographics
 
I need help
FAQ
Emergency
About .
Travel & transport from BBC stories as at 07:15 03 May 2024
- Protesters held as asylum seekers' transfer thwarted
- Train strikes: How May's disruption affects you
Read about the forum [here].
Register [here] - it's free.
What do I gain from registering? [here]
 18/05/24 - BRTA Westbury
22/05/24 - WWRUG / TransWilts update
02/06/24 - Summer Timetable starts
17/08/24 - Bus to Imber

On this day
3rd May (2018)
~ Just one working lower quadrant distant signal left (link)

Train RunningShort Run
06:12 Frome to London Paddington
PollsThere are no open or recent polls
Abbreviation pageAcronymns and abbreviations
Stn ComparatorStation Comparator
Rail newsNews Now - live rail news feed
Site Style 1 2 3 4
Next departures • Bristol Temple MeadsBath SpaChippenhamSwindonDidcot ParkwayReadingLondon PaddingtonMelksham
Exeter St DavidsTauntonWestburyTrowbridgeBristol ParkwayCardiff CentralOxfordCheltenham SpaBirmingham New Street
May 03, 2024, 07:21:36 *
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Forgotten your username or password? - get a reminder
Most recently liked subjects
[203] Vintage film - how valid are these issues today?
[153] Severn Tunnel emergency closure, 2nd May 2024.
[65] Train drivers "overwhelmingly white middle aged men"
[62] Rail unions strike action 2022/2023/2024
[36] Leven, Fife, Scotland, fast forward a month
[26] underground plans for Bristol update.
 
News: A forum for passengers ... with input from rail professionals welcomed too
 
   Home   Help Search Calendar Login Register  
Pages: [1]
  Print  
Author Topic: Tamar Bridge Cables To Be Tested For Corrosion  (Read 5950 times)
Lee
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 7519


GBR - The Emperor's New Rail Network


View Profile WWW
« on: February 18, 2008, 12:14:38 »

The massive metal cables securing the 47-year-old Tamar Bridge are to undergo detailed inspection to discover if they have weakened by rust (link below.)
http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=144125&command=displayContent&sourceNode=232450&contentPK=19905570&folderPk=108202&pNodeId=251466
Logged

Vous devez ĂȘtre impitoyable, parce que ces gens sont des salauds - https://looka.com/s/78722877
welshman
Sr. Member
****
Posts: 278


View Profile
« Reply #1 on: February 21, 2008, 19:31:30 »

There's a one word answer to that - "Brunel".
Logged
smokey
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 1129


View Profile
« Reply #2 on: February 24, 2008, 13:59:39 »

Brunel's Bridge over the Tamar is far more graceful than the concrete and cable road bridge, however IF the road bridge was closed for repairs, I just wonder How much Busy Bodmin Parkway, Liskeard, Menheniot, St Germans, Saltash, St Budeaux F Rd, Keyham, Dockyard, Devonport and Plymouth stations would become whilst motorists had to travel by Rail or Torpoint Ferry.

Would FGW (First Great Western) run extra services? Grin
Increase train length?  Grin

Expect Network Rail would close the Rail Bridge at the same time for enginering works.  Roll Eyes
Logged
Tinminer
Full Member
***
Posts: 71


View Profile
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2008, 18:36:24 »

The massive metal cables securing the 47-year-old Tamar Bridge are to undergo detailed inspection to discover if they have weakened by rust (link below.)
http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=144125&command=displayContent&sourceNode=232450&contentPK=19905570&folderPk=108202&pNodeId=251466

This is a problem affecting all suspension bridges in the world. On the BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)'s Coast programme they monitior the cables with tiny microphones - you could hear individual strands of steel snapping!

I think the 'old' Severn Bridge is particularly badly affected.
Logged
smokey
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 1129


View Profile
« Reply #4 on: April 12, 2008, 12:30:24 »

Hee Hee, If you want to be put off EVER going across the Tamar Road Suspension Bridge, just leave the Car at the Car park over looking the Bridges and Walk over to Saltash. Grin
Logged
eightf48544
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 4574


View Profile Email
« Reply #5 on: April 12, 2008, 14:56:42 »

How about a second Brunel Bridge (eliminate the single track bottle neck) and a second double track Severn Tunnel?

They would be cheaper than new road bridges.

Logged
Btline
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 4782



View Profile
« Reply #6 on: April 12, 2008, 17:01:30 »

I have always wondered why they (insted of building a new road bridge) that they did not just build a new straight (i.e. greater than 15 mph!) double track rail and 4 lane road bridge.

The old Brunel bridge could be converted to a cycle-way and dedicated footpath.

That would improve the journey for 3 greener forms of transport!
Logged
Chris from Nailsea
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 17900


I am not railway staff


View Profile Email
« Reply #7 on: April 12, 2008, 23:48:37 »

Hee Hee, If you want to be put off EVER going across the Tamar Road Suspension Bridge, just leave the Car at the Car park over looking the Bridges and Walk over to Saltash. Grin

Thanks, smokey!

That brings back memories of a school trip, when I must have been about 9 or 10, living in Plymstock: we were taken by coach to the Tamar Bridge (it was quite new, then!) and we walked across it. I still remember classmates gripping hands together and turning green as the bridge 'swayed'!

 Tongue
Logged

William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
smokey
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 1129


View Profile
« Reply #8 on: April 13, 2008, 09:47:41 »

I have always wondered why they (insted of building a new road bridge) that they did not just build a new straight (i.e. greater than 15 mph!) double track rail and 4 lane road bridge.

The old Brunel bridge could be converted to a cycle-way and dedicated footpath.

That would improve the journey for 3 greener forms of transport!

Brunel built the land-spans of the Royal Albert Bridge on a curve for a solid reason.
Hint: Try standing a straight sheet of A4 paper on it's side, try again with just a gentle curve!

The 15mph restriction on the Bridge is because of the viabrations that occur in the Tube sections of the bridge.
Logged
Btline
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 4782



View Profile
« Reply #9 on: April 13, 2008, 17:43:20 »

Never knew/thought of those points!

Is there any way the speed could be increased?
Logged
smokey
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 1129


View Profile
« Reply #10 on: April 15, 2008, 17:51:49 »

Never knew/thought of those points!

Is there any way the speed could be increased?

BR (British Rail(ways)) ran Test Trains over Brunel's Royal Albert Bridge.

Started at 5 mph then 10, 15 then 20mph.

Test instruments went off the SCALE at 20 mph Shocked , so would think we are stuck with 15mph for many years to come.

Anyway for most passengers it's a great view going over the River Smiley
Logged
vacman
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 2530


View Profile
« Reply #11 on: April 16, 2008, 01:07:31 »

It's quite  nice going over the Royal Albert Bridge at slow speed, Brunel was a bit short sighted only building it single track though Wink
Logged
smokey
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 1129


View Profile
« Reply #12 on: April 17, 2008, 20:30:48 »

It's quite  nice going over the Royal Albert Bridge at slow speed, Brunel was a bit short sighted only building it single track though Wink

May be it was short sighted to build the Royal Albert Bridge Single line, but a double track bridge would have cost more than DOUBLE, and most Viaducts in the South West were Timber on Stone piers, built this way (AGAINST Brunel's wishes) to Save on construction costs.
Logged
Do you have something you would like to add to this thread, or would you like to raise a new question at the Coffee Shop? Please [register] (it is free) if you have not done so before, or login (at the top of this page) if you already have an account - we would love to read what you have to say!

You can find out more about how this forum works [here] - that will link you to a copy of the forum agreement that you can read before you join, and tell you very much more about how we operate. We are an independent forum, provided and run by customers of Great Western Railway, for customers of Great Western Railway and we welcome railway professionals as members too, in either a personal or official capacity. Views expressed in posts are not necessarily the views of the operators of the forum.

As well as posting messages onto existing threads, and starting new subjects, members can communicate with each other through personal messages if they wish. And once members have made a certain number of posts, they will automatically be admitted to the "frequent posters club", where subjects not-for-public-domain are discussed; anything from the occasional rant to meetups we may be having ...

 
Pages: [1]
  Print  
 
Jump to:  

Powered by MySQL Powered by PHP Powered by SMF 1.1.2 | SMF © 2006-2007, Simple Machines LLC Valid XHTML 1.0! Valid CSS!
This forum is provided by customers of Great Western Railway (formerly First Great Western), and the views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that the content provided by one of our posters contravenes our posting rules (email link to report). Forum hosted by Well House Consultants

Jump to top of pageJump to Forum Home Page