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View Full Version : Archived: THREE - SPAN BOX GIRDER BRIDGE WADEBRIDGE - PADSTOW STATION APRIL 2011



Tankman
18-04-2011, 06:06 PM
Whilst me and BK were down in sunny Cornwall last week on a weeks break:thumb I thought I would catch up with some of the old disused railway lines that litter this part of the country.
One of the best lines was the branch line to Padstow Harbour, now a cycle track that runs all the way From Bodmin:thumb


Last time I was down this way was several years ago, and then one of the most interesting things on the line was a three Span Box Girder bridge, that carried the line over Little Petherwick Creek the bridge is unusual in that the three stright spans are laid out in a curve. its just over 400 yards long and was completed in 1899 by the London & South Western Railway. It only saw 67 years use before the line closed, and was left to rot! compliments of Mr Beeching:(


When the cycle way opened the bridge was in such a bad state of repair where the salty sea air had attacked the iron work that it was only possible to put a wooden central walkway through the middle of the bridge. This was the state of play when I visited it some 7 years ago!


However it was nice to see that an application for lottery funding had been approved to treat the rust and undertake repairs and extend the trail to the full width of the bridge:thumb


http://inlinethumb28.webshots.com/45019/2357860440033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2357860440033241453npiRCJ)


The bridge in its heyday circa 1939!


http://inlinethumb26.webshots.com/47321/2430309980033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2430309980033241453bZMAPT)


After closure! with the central wooden walkway, the rust was taking its toll when this photo was taken back in 2000.


http://inlinethumb21.webshots.com/47316/2699572220033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2699572220033241453CRjPXo)


The same location as above but 2011 with the restoration finished. It has a maximum weight limit of 3 tons though, except for Fire Engines:confused:


http://inlinethumb63.webshots.com/46142/2826208570033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2826208570033241453nFDStq)


A full road way now spans the bridge, but its use is only for cyclists & walkers, and the occasional fire engine!


http://inlinethumb18.webshots.com/48273/2949444870033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2949444870033241453QEWZwb)


The restoration appears to be have only been carried out on the superstructure though the abuttments are the same as I remember them! Rust and decay:(


http://inlinethumb12.webshots.com/46667/2189142970033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2189142970033241453KLYVGz)


Pano of the bridge in all its glory! It always reminds me of the Bridge on the River Kwai:lol:

Thanks for looking:thumb