10800 Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 Other 'highly commendeds' for me would include some of the others already mentioned: You can't ever rule out the Forth Bridge, or the Royal Albert Bridge, Saltash Maidenhead Bridge over the Thames (the arches that were supposed to be too long to ever stand up) Glenfinnan Viaduct because of its setting and curvature Royal Border Bridge, Berwick Severn Bridge Junction signalbox, Shrewsbury The former signalbox at Paddock Wood built over the Hawkhurst branch Stephenson's tubular bridges at Conway and Menai (the latter especially before the 1970 fire, but it's still pretty good now). This is Conway, with Telford's suspension bridge in the middle Chelfham Viaduct on the Lynton & Barnstaple, thankfully restored Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold big jim Posted November 22, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 22, 2010 how about barmouth bridge? Another fave of mine is stockport viaduct Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike J Posted November 22, 2010 Author Share Posted November 22, 2010 It's only when you do an excercise of this nature you end up thinking "Oh yeah, I'd forgotten about that one!" What also intrigues me are the individual stories about why a particular structure is special to you. Thanks everyone and keep 'em coming! Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted November 22, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 22, 2010 Chester No.6 signal box - the elevated one at the North Wales end of the station (and countless other structures) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Ramrig Posted November 22, 2010 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 22, 2010 A lot have already been mentioned but adding to the list: Monsal Dale Viaduct Millers Dale station and Viaducts St Pancras station both before and now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted November 22, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 22, 2010 Long gone and I've never seen it but I'm always drawn to photographs of Belah Viaduct on the line between Darlington and Kirkby Stephen East. Nor does it matter what's crossing it; anything from a DMU to a loaded coal train double headed and banked, this success story of the ill fated Thomas Bouch never fails to impress me. I've stood in the signal box at the end and looked across the gap Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wollastonblue Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 Maybe its because I'm biased, but I go for Stambermill Viaduct over the River Stour. Always makes me go wow whenever I see it. Although others like Barmouth Bridge, or Victoria Bridge at Arley are worth a mention. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted November 22, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 22, 2010 Far more difficult than picking out a station I think because there is so much variety. Taplow footbridge comes very near the top of my list as does Reading West Main Signal Box (the largest on the GWR) and Severn Bridge Signal Box at Shrewsbury. But if I were going for 'impressive' it would have to be the Severn Tunnel because once you have seen and heard the volume of water moving alongside it from the Great Spring you can only marvel at the skills which built it and have kept it operational, fascinating piece of engineering. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caradoc Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 Our great railway stations are testaments to the power and influence of the railway companies which built them. In no particular order, the standouts are: Glasgow Central Bristol Temple Meads York Newcastle St Pancras (BEFORE HS1) Kings Cross One still with us, in a fashion; Manchester Central And one we lost; Glasgow St Enoch Matt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
10800 Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 Our great railway stations We already have a topic running specifically on stations here (see first line of OP) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 34008Padstow Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 im torn between two. the royal albert bridge and little petherick creek bridge. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rugd1022 Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 So many to choose from aren't there? Having been to Paddington this morning the wrought iron work of the screens at the country end of the station spring to mind, they still take my breath away even now. Liskeard station with it's Looe branch platform at ninety degrees to the mainline, and Moorswater Viaduct a little further west. St Pinnock Viaduct between Liskeard and Bodmin Road (oops, Parkway ), standing below and looking up it's a very impressive beast. Bardon Hill Signal Box on the Leicester (Knighton Junction) to Burton-on-Trent line.. nothing spectacular but a favourite spot nonetheless, the scene of much tea drinking and telling of tales, there's always a warm welcome and good banter to be had with the bobbie, whichever shift you're on. Worcester Tunnel Junction's Up Home bracket signal as you approach from the north... I just love it. The scene of D1055 Western Advocate's untimely demise in 1976, but it gives me a warm glow everytime I pass under it. Nidge Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike J Posted November 22, 2010 Author Share Posted November 22, 2010 Lovely photos Rudg1022, atmospheric, especially the ghost in front of the tunnel mouth, and someone thought the Forth bridge was creepy! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RANGERS Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 Harringworth Viaduct on the Kettering-Manton line. Not really my favoured company as such but it was local and we paseed under it on numberous trips into the countryside of North Northants and Rutland, the sheer scale of it to me as a 4 or 5 year old probably instilled an interest in rail which has lasted thus far. Then again, it's got a lot to answer for that bridge! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rugd1022 Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 Lovely photos Rudg1022, atmospheric, especially the ghost in front of the tunnel mouth, and someone thought the Forth bridge was creepy! Thanks Mike. The ghost....... it's partly the reflection of my enamel tea can in the window, plus a bit of camera shake! (My mate was driving, I was learning the road). Rangers - good call on Harringworth Viaduct, I passed by that way a couple of weeks ago just as the sun was going down, what a lovely sight it was. Another favourite bit of railway for me is the turntable area, fuelling shed and Factory at Old Oak... if only these man made objects could talk, what tales they could all tell. I had a text from my brother recently saying the table was on it's way to Swanage on a low loader.... definitely a 'happy sad' moment. Nidge (Meant to add these pics to my previous posts... ) http://www.flickr.com/photos/21403537@N00/2351449571/in/set-72157594510358068/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/21403537@N00/3118275361/in/set-72157594510358068/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/21403537@N00/2351434395/in/set-72157594510358068/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/21403537@N00/369814144/in/set-72157594510358068/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Welly Posted November 22, 2010 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 22, 2010 Local to me is the long disused Great Central bridge over the Trent at Torksey, the line from nowhere ( Sykes Junction ) to nowhere ( Clarborough Junction ) via nowhere just to avoid negoitiating that little bit of extra running power over the GN&GE Joint line to Lincoln. The line closed as a through route in November 1959 due to the "weak condition" of the bridge yet it still stands today! There's also Clifton Viaduct which carried the LD&EC over the Trent a few miles up stream, a long structure made of blue engineering brick over the flood plain and a standard metal span over the river itself. This was probably the most expensive structure that company had built. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikemeg Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 I guess for me a favourite structure, or more particularly favourite structures, would have to be the great McKenzie and Holland signal gantries and bridges of the old North Eastern Railway. They were built as purely functional pieces of equipment, to support the great arrays of signals which the old NER was so addicted to, yet in so doing they built things of quite extraordinary elegance and even beauty. These things were an integral part of the railway which we came to know and love as kids though we really took no notice of them; it was the loco numbers we were after. Now almost the last of these amazing structures has been replaced, though it will live on and continue to work on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. So two photographs. The one of the railway place which we discovered as kids in the late 1950's and which is, for me, the abiding memory of those incredible days. The other of the last of these things in January of 2010, still standing proudly over the entrance to Scarborough and now, sadly, gone in the remodelling of this place. Just an essay in functional design; just simply lovely things and we shall not see their like again. Cheers Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
moorlander Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 What about Yarm viaduct in Teesside. Surprised no one so far has chosen Ribblehead ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 Sankey Viaduct on the Liverpool Manchester line near Earlestown. Not the longest, but one of the first. Tom. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted November 22, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 22, 2010 (Meant to add these pics to my previous posts... ) http://www.flickr.com/photos/21403537@N00/2351449571/in/set-72157594510358068/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/21403537@N00/3118275361/in/set-72157594510358068/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/21403537@N00/2351434395/in/set-72157594510358068/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/21403537@N00/369814144/in/set-72157594510358068/ Crikey, Nidge! If you also sign this lot in 2010 your route knowledge is truly impressive! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leopardml2341 Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 My favourite just HAS to be The West Riding Licensed Refreshment rooms at Dewsbury Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike J Posted November 22, 2010 Author Share Posted November 22, 2010 Now almost the last of these amazing structures has been replaced, though it will live on and continue to work on the North Yorhsire Moors Railway. So two photographs. The one of the railway place which we discovered as kids in the late 1950's and which is, for me, the abiding memory of those incredible days. The other of the last of these things in January of 2010, still standing proudly over the entrance to Scarborough and now, sadly, gone in the remodelling of this place. Just an essay in functional design; just simply lovely things and we shall not see their like again. Cheers Mike I agree with your sentiments on this one Mike, and Falsgrave gantry was just 5 mins. walk from my house. At least it has found a new home at Grosmont after refurbishment in Retford. The area looks a little bare now, and if no-ne wants to use the signal box, I wonder how long it will last before it is removed or worse still...demolished. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium melmerby Posted November 23, 2010 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 23, 2010 How about the two bridges over Loch Etive and Loch Creran on the Ballachulish branch. Both still in use by roads. Connel Keith Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Max Stafford Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 My selection (mostly extinct) 1. Kingmoor coaler. 2. Glasgow St. Enoch. (old enough to remember it as the most glorious car park that ever existed!) 3. Big Fleet viaduct. 4. Belah viaduct on the Stainmore line - the nearest thing to a Canadian trestle that we had! 5. Connel bridge - again, quite Canadian in style. 6. Stonehouse viaduct on the Caley's Lanark lines. Cracking over-engineered brick and lattice beast and although long gone, it's time has come again though I doubt post-modern Scotland could afford to build a replacement! Dave. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rugd1022 Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 Crikey, Nidge! If you also sign this lot in 2010 your route knowledge is truly impressive! Oh if only Olddudders, if only! I know the Cornish mainline pretty well but my chances of learning it are slim, but I'll be signing South Ruislip to Old Oak soon. Back on topic.... another favourite bit of railway kit is the old Hump Shunting Signal Box at Bescot, disused and unloved, I'm surprised it's still intact... http://www.flickr.com/photos/21403537@N00/3024051059/in/set-72157606853423254/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/21403537@N00/2903889401/in/set-72157606853423254/ Nidge Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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