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Author Topic: The Royal Albert Bridge - Saltash  (Read 53699 times)
devon_metro
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« Reply #15 on: May 03, 2009, 13:58:47 »

Well, you'd like to think so - but perhaps whether it actually gets aired depends on other news items, over the Bank Holiday weekend?  Roll Eyes

I'm sure they could invent some new "swine flu" cases to scare us all away from Paignton  Wink
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #16 on: May 03, 2009, 22:01:36 »

Some coverage of the commemorative walk (but not the fireworks) from the BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page), at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8031323.stm  Wink
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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.
RailCornwall
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« Reply #17 on: May 03, 2009, 23:21:54 »

Countryfile
Sunday 10 May
7:30pm - 8:30pm
BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) ONE
Will have coverage of the walk today.

Quote
Matt Baker and Julia Bradbury head to the Tamar Valley to join the walkers being allowed to cross Isambard Kingdom Brunel's Royal Albert Bridge for only the second time in its history.

Radio Times

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richard bickford
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« Reply #18 on: May 04, 2009, 09:02:09 »

Countryfile spent Saturday and Sunday morning with us, but not unfortunately not the fireworks. They were off to film bats! Hope someone got it on a decent video camera. It was fantastic. there are a few mobile phone versions on YouTube already.

Spotlight did some filming on the walk, again I am not sure about the fireworks, We had to play them down a bit due to the demands of Plymouth City Council, who were feeling a bit stupid for missing the whole thing. The whole celebrations were planned and funded by Saltash with Plymouth not wanting to play a part financially or otherwise.

I'll speak to the firework company to see if they have got any video footage. I have some capture from the BridgeCam but its not great quality.

Walk was brilliant, a real privilege. 2nd and final one coming along in June, we are hopeful that Network Rail will allow a few more this time, I'll keep you posted.

We have a re enactment of the original opening ceremony this afternoon on Saltash station, and then relax for a few days..
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smokey
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« Reply #19 on: May 04, 2009, 09:13:56 »

Some Facts about the Royal Albert Bridge,

It cost ^225,000 to build, Double Track would have cost an Estimated ^100,000 more.
The Two main spans are each 455ft.

The Curve in the Land Spans add greatly to the total strengh of the bridge. (don't believe it, stand a flat piece of A4 paper on it's side, it will fall over, now do the same with the paper curved.

Brunel drew up Plans for a Much Bigger Royal Albert type Bridge, double tracked to cross over the River Severn.

When First Opened there was a Ticket that could be brought to WALK across the Bridge, mind Trains were infrequent and 'Mr Elf & Safety' hadn't been born,

The Words IK BRUNEL ENGINEER 1859, were added by the GWR (Great Western Railway)(?) they sure weren't a Brunel Idea.

The Land Span Metal Work was renewed by the GWR in 1920s or 30s, about the same time as the Access platforms appeared across the front of IK Brunel Engineer 1859.

For the 100th Anniversary in 1959 the Access platforms were Removed and the Bridge Flood-Lit, this gives rise to the Idea that the Access platforms were added by BR (British Rail(ways)) after 1959

The Rusty Steel work in the Bridge is more often than not the Additional Bracing added in the 1960's
 
Network Rail may have a problem in finding the original bridge colour as BR had the Bridge Sand Blasted to bare metal in the 1980's Repainting.

The Tubes are big enough inside to drive a Bus through, (if they were flat not arched)

Also the Tubes have Bullet Holes in them from WWII (World War 2 - 1939 to 1945)

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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #20 on: May 04, 2009, 21:13:50 »

Thanks for your update on the celebrations, richard bickford - and for the excellent history lesson, smokey! Wink

An update from the BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) is at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8031323.stm
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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.
RichardB
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« Reply #21 on: May 05, 2009, 11:17:22 »

A fabulous weekend of events in Saltash.  Congratulations to Richard, Lynn and everyone else involved.

I was a steward on the walk and have uploaded the photos I took to  http://dcrp.fotopic.net/c1693018.html

We had two Brunels - the Devon & Cornish ones!  The Devon one was Chris Grove who owns the Tamar Belle Heritage Centre at Bere Ferrers.
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richard bickford
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« Reply #22 on: May 19, 2009, 12:49:20 »

Network Rail have increased the numbers we can get across on the second walk on June 21st. All very early in the morning though with the first group on at 0630! Got to be clear before the first down train !!!

For anyone interested the booking forms are now available online at www.royalalbertbridge.co.uk

Don;t hand around though. A press release is about to go out which we hope will enable us to fill the remaining places very quickly. There will not be a third walk! Next chance could be in 25 years time when its 175.
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #23 on: October 02, 2009, 23:44:03 »

From the BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Quote
Study into bridge colour mystery

Samples of paint from the Royal Albert Bridge, which links Devon and Cornwall, are being analysed in an attempt to establish its original colour.

The samples, collected by architectural paint researcher Patrick Baty, have been taken before the structure is stripped and repainted by Network Rail. There are about 30 coats of paint on the rail bridge across the River Tamar. Network Rail said the bridge was first repainted grey in 1911 and its original colour was never recorded.

Mr Baty said the process of gathering the samples just involved a hammer and chisel and giving parts of the bridge "a healthy thwack".

As part of the restoration project, the 2,200ft (670m) bridge - designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel - will be blast-cleaned, strengthened and completely re-painted.

Work is expected to begin on site by summer 2010 and will take about two years.

Since the bridge opened 150 years ago in 1859, it has carried as estimated billion tonnes of rail traffic.

It was Grade I listed in 1952.
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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.
caliwag
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« Reply #24 on: April 25, 2010, 09:03:07 »

Superb archive photographs of 1920s works Grin

http://railwayeye.blogspot.com/2010/04/nrs-great-western-is-no-great-western.html
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JayMac
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« Reply #25 on: April 25, 2010, 13:28:26 »

Can't see any photos with that link.  Huh
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"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."

- Sir Terry Pratchett.
chrisoates
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« Reply #26 on: April 25, 2010, 13:43:37 »

http://www.brucehunt.co.uk/Royal%20Albert%20Bridge%20span%20renewal.html
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6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01
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« Reply #27 on: April 25, 2010, 14:02:47 »

yeh i saw them too lol
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Electric train
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« Reply #28 on: April 25, 2010, 16:48:53 »

No elf n safety problems in them days  Grin
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Starship just experienced what we call a rapid unscheduled disassembly, or a RUD, during ascent,”
RailCornwall
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« Reply #29 on: April 26, 2010, 18:20:42 »

Brunel's Royal Albert Bridge to get ^10 makeover 
 
The Royal Albert Bridge, joining Cornwall to Plymouth, is to be refurbished at a cost of ^10m.

Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel's bridge across the River Tamar was 150 years old in 2009.

Corroded parts of the railway bridge will be repaired and the structure will be painted in goose grey. Its original colour was off-white.
 

more^.



and ...

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/Press-Releases

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