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View Full Version : Archived: Locomotive Bridge, Aspley, Huddersfield 24/10/10



SteveB
24-10-2010, 01:24 PM
Not sure if this really counts as urbex, but I think this is a fascinating bit of 1860s technology.

This contraption is the Locomotive Bridge (also known as a Turnpike Bridge or Lift Bridge) at Aspley in Huddersfield (round the back of Sainsbury's) which lifts a section of the road, cobbles and all, into the air so boats can pass underneath on the Huddersfield Broad Canal.

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/stevebentley/Loco%20Bridge/loco1.jpg

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/stevebentley/Loco%20Bridge/loco2.jpg http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/stevebentley/Loco%20Bridge/loco2a.jpg

Until a few years ago this whole thing was operated using a manual windlass

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/stevebentley/Loco%20Bridge/loco2b.jpg http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/stevebentley/Loco%20Bridge/loco2c.jpg

But in recent years an electric motor was added, operated from this panel, having inserted a British Waterways key

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/stevebentley/Loco%20Bridge/loco3.jpg

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/stevebentley/Loco%20Bridge/loco3b.jpg
http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/stevebentley/Loco%20Bridge/loco3c.jpg

This sign on part of the road gate interlock mechanism appears to pre-date the electrical installation

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/stevebentley/Loco%20Bridge/loco3a.jpg

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/stevebentley/Loco%20Bridge/loco4.jpg
http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/stevebentley/Loco%20Bridge/loco5.jpg
http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/stevebentley/Loco%20Bridge/loco7.jpg http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/stevebentley/Loco%20Bridge/loco6.jpg