pointstaken Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 It was screwed to empty First Class seats in the 19th century to deter 3rd class yobs from sitting on them. Dennis Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 If I said what I thought it was I'd be banned. The worrying thing is that Avonside1563, who I am sitting next to at this moment, thought it was the same. He is banned. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeeleyBridge Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 I'm ok then, I never thought it was one of those. I think he bought it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Stubby47 Posted June 17, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 17, 2015 Is it something to do with a water tower/column, such as the end of the chain ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 Here's another clue - here it is, the right way up: “It’s somewhat smaller than I expected?” Actually if you have heard that phrase please keep the details to yourself.... Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted June 18, 2015 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted June 18, 2015 Someone on this thread is definitely getting warm.... but on the basis that the purpose of the item has been correctly identified, where was it previously used and for what specific purpose? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenhead Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 Would it have been at the bottom of a rope/chain mechanism to indicate the volume of water in a column or tank? I.e it would have pointed to a scale of gallons. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Tony_S Posted June 18, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 18, 2015 where was it previously usedOn the end of a piece of string. My father had a brass one in his shed! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 47137 Posted June 18, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 18, 2015 It looks like it spent its life immersed in tar or some other by-product of a gas works. A part of the machine used to impregnate sleepers with creosote? - Richard. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium petethemole Posted June 18, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 18, 2015 One of a set of plumb bobs lowered down the ventilation shafts at sunrise on Brunel's birthday during the construction of Box Tunnel to ensure the correct alignment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Stubby47 Posted June 18, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 18, 2015 Would it have been at the bottom of a rope/chain mechanism to indicate the volume of water in a column or tank? I.e it would have pointed to a scale of gallons. Is it the float that sits on the top of the water in the tank ? ( I.e it's mainly hollow apart from the tail). Edit - as Martin has just said that is too generic - so are you looking for a specific location where this item was peculiar ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold martin_wynne Posted June 18, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 18, 2015 But he said it had to be connected with Cornwall railways. Used in the construction of the Royal Albert Bridge? Stress testing on it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Stubby47 Posted June 18, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 18, 2015 St Blazey ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold martin_wynne Posted June 18, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 18, 2015 Is it part of this? A spare float for Brunel's tide recorder: Martin. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted June 18, 2015 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted June 18, 2015 Martin is getting warm! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackRat Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 The worrying thing is that Avonside1563, who I am sitting next to at this moment, thought it was the same. He is banned. I thought the same no doubt, but as I am no longer plodding I have a clean(er) mind, untarnished and unsullied, almost! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackRat Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 To see the deflection at the centre of the Royal Albert Bridge when a choo choo is on it....?................A sort of plumb bob lol opppps spelling! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Stubby47 Posted June 18, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 18, 2015 To see the deflection at the centre of the Royal Albert Bridge when a chop choo is on it....? ................A sort of plumb bob lol Ah, yes, the old chop choo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted June 18, 2015 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted June 18, 2015 To see the deflection at the centre of the Royal Albert Bridge when a chop choo is on it....? ................A sort of plumb bob lol The gentleman has it in one. The artifact in question was recovered from a heap of detritus at the bottom of one of the towers, as I understand it. It had previously been an ancient plumb line to measure the deflection in the bridge in high winds. Not used for years, it had lain in this heap of rubbish until Taziker discovered it when working on the restoration of the bridge. They shot-blasted it and re-painted/polished it up, and it is now destined for a museum. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackRat Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 Does that mean I get TWO prizes? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold martin_wynne Posted June 18, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 18, 2015 It had previously been an ancient plumb line to measure the deflection in the bridge in high winds. We don't seem to be much further forward. A plumb line hangs vertically. Winds blow sideways. A plumb line can be used to check verticals, but in order to measure deflection it needs a solid surface below it as reference. I suspect the River Tamar doesn't count. I can imagine it mounted somewhere on the bridge and used as a sighting target for measuring deflections. But that wouldn't be called a plumb line. More information and diagrams please. Martin. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwealleans Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 Presumably if it's inside the tower, with a vertical line painted behind it and a marked position to sight from, it would show any movement of the tower? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold martin_wynne Posted June 18, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 18, 2015 Presumably if it's inside the tower, with a vertical line painted behind it and a marked position to sight from, it would show any movement of the tower? Yes. The brass collar fixing doesn't really look like an attachment for a plumb line. It's obviously an indicator of some kind, to be attached to something and show movement. It would be good to have a full explanation. Martin. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted June 18, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 18, 2015 Presumably if it's inside the tower, with a vertical line painted behind it and a marked position to sight from, it would show any movement of the tower? An inclinometer then - of some sort? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted June 18, 2015 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted June 18, 2015 Well, we've now come up against the limitations of an operator pretending to be an engineer. All I know is that the line was inside the structure of the bridge, and was used to measure wind deflection of the main structure. Next time I get a chance to speak to the (real) engineer that showed me, I'll ask for more information on how it was set up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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