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GCR Bridge Project

EbbwJunction1

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I thought that might be the case, thanks.

From looking at the project over the past few years, I have been able to see that it's a very large and complicated one which has needed a lot of different parts to go right, and I admire the work that's been done so far. I look forward to being able to travel on a train across the gap, and I'll continue to follow your reports with interest.

My best wishes go to everyone involved!
 
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Flying Phil

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There is another update on the GCR website saying that 3 of the 4 bridge bearing pads have been repaired and scaffolding is due to go up soon so that the underside can be shot blasted. Work to carry on until early 2020.
 

Roast Veg

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I can see now why the canal had to be closed! A very sturdy looking structure has been laid across the canal not far above the waterline, from the towpath to the bank on the other side.
 

Flying Phil

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Here you go Andy...DSCF7244 s.jpg
You can also see where they have put new steel in on the left hand (North West) corner.
 

Cowley

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Is there a Replacement Bus service while the canal is blocked?:D:D
No, they just use top and tail Shire Horses on the barges to avoid running round. And the passengers have to walk to the other side of the bridge. ;)
 

Flying Phil

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This is a view of the work on top of the canal bridge. DSCF7242s.jpg
It was taken from where the rails presently end, North of the shed - so not too much to be laid and get a steam engine through the shed and "posed" on the bridge......:D
 

Flying Phil

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Here is a close up of the repaired section.DSCF7245s.jpg

It certainly looks to be significantly stronger now!
 

AndyY1951

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It certainly does, I think that will keep that corner of the bridge going for the next 100 years!

Is it a similar repair to all four corners?

Thanks for the picture.
 

AndyB28

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The article on the web-site says that three of the four corners have now been repaired. What I'm slightly puzzled about is that it says the beam structure used to lift the corners for the repairs has now been removed but the south-west corner bearing still needs to be repaired! It didn't explain how this was going to be done with the lifting gear now removed. Perhaps this means the south-west corner wasn't in as bad a condition as the other three? Anyway, still very exciting and thanks again to those on site for the updates and photo's.
 

Roast Veg

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Yet more constructive work has appeared, a giant white plastic covering is now being sported from the bridge down to the girder I mentioned last time.
 

YorkshireBear

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Yet more constructive work has appeared, a giant white plastic covering is now being sported from the bridge down to the girder I mentioned last time.

All for shot blasting, requires it to be enclosed almost entirely, especially near water of any kind.
 

Flying Phil

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i see in Steam Railway and elsewhere that the GCR is investigating extending the Loughborough Station platform Northwards to get longer trains and keep the locomotive alongside the platform rather than under the overbridge.
It would be nice if they could have a similar arrangement to the old Leicester Central end bay for the local service/DMU set... 2012-12-20_10.JPG
 

Flying Phil

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Hi Andy
I think it may be possible to put a single track in a bay formation as the platform is quite wide. However, operationally, it would be a bad idea, as it would mean passengers would find it a longer walk from the North end of platform 1 to the North end of platform 2. Also, if it were to be used for the DMU set then it really ought to be at the South end of Loughborough so that the service could run to Quorn, Mountsorrel and Rothley.
.... But I still like that Leicester Central layout!
 

Gostav

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i see in Steam Railway and elsewhere that the GCR is investigating extending the Loughborough Station platform Northwards to get longer trains and keep the locomotive alongside the platform rather than under the overbridge.
It would be nice if they could have a similar arrangement to the old Leicester Central end bay for the local service/DMU set... View attachment 70428

But the plan means that the original heritage platform and buildings need to be greatly rebuilt so is this the right way to preserve the heritage? Is GCR really need the third platform to handle busy traffic?
 
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But the plan means that the original heritage platform and buildings need to be greatly rebuilt so is this the right way to preserve the heritage? Is GCR really need the third platform to handle busy traffic?
Maybe the Leicester Central bay layout could one day be recreated at Leicester North. That way there would not be any change of original GCR heritage structures. At the same time double track could be extended to Leicester North, and perhaps extra sidings, if the railway owns enough land for this.
 

Flying Phil

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But the plan means that the original heritage platform and buildings need to be greatly rebuilt so is this the right way to preserve the heritage? Is GCR really need the third platform to handle busy traffic?

I think the intention is just to extend the platform a couple of coach lengths, the buildings on the existing platform would not be touched. However this will need some trackwork alteration, which will also be affected by the new engine shed plans and the route North across the "Gap". It all needs to be considered as a "Whole" ....which I am confident is/will be happening, but the GCR does keep it's plans relatively quiet until they are confident of permissions and funding....then it happens.
 

Flying Phil

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This is the Canal Bridge today, with its encasing "Tent", whilst they shot blast the underside.DSCF7297s.jpg
 

Roast Veg

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The latter, I imagine. It wa sstrung a little higher and from the road bridge appeared to be part of the girdering - when it has been moved down to the waterline I thought something had gone very wrong!
 

John Webb

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I've just had a look at the Canal and River Trust website; very curiously this 'stoppage' on the canal isn't mentioned! Has someone slipped up?
 

John Webb

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Till 13 December. Web site is not very user friendly!
Curious - I looked at the "Leicester Line" and there was no mention of it there, although works either side of Loughborough were mentioned! I'd agree that the website is not very user-friendly!
 

Flying Phil

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I expect that the refurbishment of the "Lattice work" will have been finished by now and so that could be returned and put back in place by the 13th?
I wonder what the next move will be......engine shed or embankment.....or both?
 

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