RMweb Gold russ p Posted January 20, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 20, 2018 Has anyone got detailed pictures of the swing bridges in Norfolk and Suffolk? I'm making a model non working due to space. I want to make either of the type at oulton broad and trowse or a hybrid of the deck of the latter but with the workings of reedham and somerleyton. These two would be nice to model but there are very complex curves on their decks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Prism Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 Some good stuff here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/128258-scratch-built-rail-over-river-bridge/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium iands Posted January 20, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 20, 2018 Some good stuff here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/128258-scratch-built-rail-over-river-bridge/ Except that is Selby swing bridge in North Yorkshire. However, it is a very good model. Regards, Ian. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium iands Posted January 20, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 20, 2018 Has anyone got detailed pictures of the swing bridges in Norfolk and Suffolk? I'm making a model non working due to space. I want to make either of the type at oulton broad and trowse or a hybrid of the deck of the latter but with the workings of reedham and somerleyton. These two would be nice to model but there are very complex curves on their decks Hi Russ, Unfortunately I can only find two photos that I have (there were several more but I can't seem to find them at the moment). They relate to Somerleyton, but only one shows the swing bridge. I was stood in the 'four foot' when I took the external photo (legitimately, I was at work at the time) and I was interested in the gradient approaching the bridge. Apologies for the quality of the photo, it was a few years ago. Whilst the original photos were reasonable, the scanner was a bit basic (by today's standard). The second photo is included purely for interest and is of the operating instructions for opening/closing the bridge. If/when I find the other photos I'll add them to this thread. Regards, Ian. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Prism Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 Except that is Selby swing bridge in North Yorkshire. Fair comment. It's all I could remember offhand. I'm sure there's more pertinent stuff on RMweb, but we need the re-instatement of a decent site search function. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Softvark Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 There's quite a good video on the BFI site of the Trowse swing bridge replacement that might help. https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-on-line-into-the-nineties-1987-online Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold russ p Posted January 20, 2018 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted January 20, 2018 I think the swing bridges at Beccles and St Olives were the similar to Selby and Goole Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastwestdivide Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 Have you found the "movable bridges" site? Here's Reedham: http://www.movablebridges.org.uk/BridgePage.asp?BridgeNumber=237 and Somerleyton: http://www.movablebridges.org.uk/BridgePage.asp?BridgeNumber=231 including lots of detail from the water. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold russ p Posted January 20, 2018 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted January 20, 2018 That looks a good site, thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calimero Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 4630 Posted January 22, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 22, 2018 (edited) If they’re of any use, there are a few of Somerleyton Swing Bridge here; http://www.russellwykes-photography.com/p1034334510#h8aa30b18 And of Reedham Swing Bridge here; http://www.russellwykes-photography.com/p1034334510#h8a8a1296 You might need to scroll around the images in that gallery as I was doing ‘A Grand Tour’ of the branches to Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth during the month. PM me if you’d like copies of any of the images without the watermark. HTH Edited January 22, 2018 by 4630 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Holliday Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 In the Irwell Press series of Great Eastern In Town and Country, Volume 1 has a detailed account of a couple of swing bridges including drawings. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calimero Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 (edited) 'One of two similar swing bridges, the other being Somerleyton Swing Bridge (TM476967). They are both constructed from wrought iron, brick, cast steel and timber and replace single track bridges which carried the railway between Norwich and Lowestoft over the Rivers Yare and Waveney. The bridge rests on two end piers and a central pivot pier made of brick supported by timber piles. This is 27ft 6in in diameter and supports the 10in diameter central pivots when the bridge is fixed for railway traffic. The three wrought iron girders which bear the live load are 139ft long, and rotate on 16in diameter cast steel wheels. The load of the open bridge is borne by two truss girders.' Edited January 23, 2018 by Calimero Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold russ p Posted January 23, 2018 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted January 23, 2018 Trying to work out how the motor pulls the bridge open with the cable as I'll need to model this Bought a wooden signalbox to modify as a one of the boxes only when I looked at the pictures did I realise they are both brick, must observe things better. I spent 14 mth passing both of them on an almost daily basis when driving the 68s over there! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium iands Posted January 24, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 24, 2018 Trying to work out how the motor pulls the bridge open with the cable as I'll need to model this Bought a wooden signalbox to modify as a one of the boxes only when I looked at the pictures did I realise they are both brick, must observe things better. I spent 14 mth passing both of them on an almost daily basis when driving the 68s over there! The day I took the photos in #4 above, I had a look at all the wheels/pulleys/cable etc. (purely out of interest) and noticed that the cable had slipped of a large horizontally mounted wheel, I shouted up to the signaller who came down and I helped him put the cable back on the wheel. But for the life of me, although I can remember some of the arrangement, I can't remember how it all worked. Regards, Ian. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calimero Posted January 24, 2018 Share Posted January 24, 2018 Off Signalbox.org 'The following is a brief description of the swingbridge equipment: The swing bridges at Somerleyton and Reedham are of the same design. The pivot point of the bridge is adjacent to the main river channel and the bridge is swung open, parallel to this side of the main channel to enable boat traffic to pass. The movable section of the bridge consists of a solid elongated ‘A’ frame with a central portal and main cross girder at ¼ and ¾ points of the bridge. Two ‘tray sections’ are mounted inside the ‘A’ frame balanced on each of the main cross girders, such that at the centre portal the ‘trays’ drop and at the ends of the bridge the ‘trays’ rise. The bridge can be moved when the ‘tray sections’ are balanced with the ends of the bridge raised. The bridge is moved by means of a wire ropes attached to the underside of the bridge-end adjacent to the signal box. The wire ropes are attached to a motorized winch mechanism located below the signal box which pulls the bridge open and closed. On closing the bridge, ‘latches’ operate to catch and hold the bridge closed. When opening the bridge these ‘latches’ are released. Hydraulic jacks are provided in the central pivot point chamber below the bridge. These are used to raise the ‘tray sections’ so that the six ‘wedges’ can be placed under the ‘tray sections’ to enable traffic to be run over the bridge. Circuit closers are provided to ensure and that the centre sections of the ‘tray sections’ are raised and that the wedges are in position. The bridge position and ‘tray section’ alignment is also detected at the ends of the bridge. ‘Engagers’ are fixed on the landward ends of the bridge, with the bridge in position these allow the mechanical movement of the roding over the bridge to the far side operating the far ‘bridge bolt’ and mechanical signal protecting the bridge. Similar engagers are also used for the operating the ‘wedges’. Two ‘bridge bolts’ are provided on the land at each end of the bridge; these are used to lock the bridge in position preventing lateral movement. A circuit closer is used to detect the locked position of the ‘bridge bolt’.' Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calimero Posted January 24, 2018 Share Posted January 24, 2018 This maybe of use ... http://www.video125.co.uk/acatalog/norfolk_branches.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Turnbull Posted January 24, 2018 Share Posted January 24, 2018 You may find this of interest: Chris Turnbull 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calimero Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 Top tip if researching using work computers, don't click on a link that is titled Gorleston Swingers! Whilst in Google search it mentions Reedham Swing Bridge the website has no information of any use to those wanting to construct a 4mm version! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold russ p Posted January 30, 2018 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted January 30, 2018 Does anyone know if the cables run at low level as I was thinking about having a short approach bridge I've a road but not sure if this would work in real life? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium iands Posted April 8, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 8, 2018 Hi Russ, Further to my previous response with regards to Somerleyton swing bridge, apologies for the long delay, but I've now managed to find the missing photos I had. Here they are, including the two I posted previously (slightly better scans this time). Usually, the skipper of a boat (or yacht) sounds a blast on a horn (or whistle) to "request" the bridge to be opened. The signaller acknowledges this by displaying a board "Bridge Will Open". When he can, the signaller follows the bridge opening instructions. The bridge in its closed state. And a close up at track level. The jacks are raised, lifting the bridge. And with the wedges out, allowing the bridge to be opened. The boat (or yacht in this case) proceeds through the open bridge. The final photo is an instruction to staff visiting the bridge. Sorry for the wait, but I hope they are of interest. Regards, Ian. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold russ p Posted April 8, 2018 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 8, 2018 They are brilliant Ian, thanks Great details of the signs etc Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold russ p Posted February 8, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 8, 2020 After a long while I think I've found someone to do laser cut sides for a reedham style bridge. The fully system is on one side of the bridge but on the other there are what I can only describe as guides in the water, have these always been there as cant find any old pictures of reedham or somerleyton bridges Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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