How Did They Count Bridges

[Pinza-C55]

For some reason the North Eastern Railway didn't like the word "Viaduct" and preferred to call them Bridges so for example the Royal Border Bridge at Berwick is so named although anyone would call it a viaduct. The NER system was remeasured in 1905 and standard cast iron mileage and bridge number plates introduced. These were numbered from the Zero Point for each line which was situated at the junction opposite the point blades. NER Bridge numberplates were oval and "viaduct" type bridges had each arch surmounted by a small rectangular cast iron plate denoting the arch number. A number of earlier arch numbers survived on the Sunderland Wearmouth bridge until the late 90's and they were much larger than the later plates.

 

[bramling]

When the Stansted Airport branch was built the bridge numbers were added to the GER sequence, ISTR they're 2454 to 2463. I'm pretty sure that '1' was that footbridge which used to run across the platforms at Liverpool Street.

The SER and the LCDR each did a similar thing but how they took care of all their duplicates after merger I don't know, they certainly weren't renumbered, even today the lines from Charing Cross and Victoria to Dover each have sequences starting from '1' at their respective London termini.


Is it old enough to include the main line to Plymouth? If so could you please take a look to see what the highest numbered bridge was? I believe that they ran in one continuous sequence from '1' to about 730-ish at the original LSWR-GWR junction at St.Budeaux (but the Plymouth Friary branch had a separate short sequence starting at '1').

I have had a look in the LSWR register, which gives the highest numbered bridge as

732 - station footbridge - Plymouth Friary station, at 233m 52.5ch.

It should be noted this register is undated, and a later BR(W) register - also undated - only goes up to 727, which is Molesworth Road, between Devonport and Plymouth North Road.

So it’s possible the Friary branch was altered at some point.

I’m always keen on old (pre 1980s) structure registers as they contain a quite incredible amount of information, so if anyone has any (especially in PDF form!) they’re willing to share, please feel free to get in touch. Especially for the LMS and Scotland areas.

 

[Andy873]

each arch surmounted by a small rectangular cast iron plate denoting the arch number.

Interesting replies as always, thanks.

It never occurred to me that for a viaduct, each arch would be numbered too - logical really. There's quite a few photos of Martholme viaduct which carried my old line over the river Calder but I can't see in any of them arch numbers?

Everything on this line (North Lancs loop) was counted from the eastern end (Padiham junction / Rose Grove west junction) such as mile posts, bridges etc, so I can only assume (something I don't like doing) that arch number 1 would be at the eastern end (Padiham side) and arch 10 at the western end?

Would the arch numbers be shown at the base of each column, or part way up?

 

[zwk500]

Everything on this line (North Lancs loop) was counted from the eastern end (Padiham junction / Rose Grove west junction) such as mile posts, bridges etc, so I can only assume (something I don't like doing) that arch number 1 would be at the eastern end (Padiham side) and arch 10 at the western end?

this is the usual practice but, as ever, there will be exceptions.

 

[Pinza-C55]

Interesting replies as always, thanks.

It never occurred to me that for a viaduct, each arch would be numbered too - logical really. There's quite a few photos of Martholme viaduct which carried my old line over the river Calder but I can't see in any of them arch numbers?

Everything on this line (North Lancs loop) was counted from the eastern end (Padiham junction / Rose Grove west junction) such as mile posts, bridges etc, so I can only assume (something I don't like doing) that arch number 1 would be at the eastern end (Padiham side) and arch 10 at the western end?

Would the arch numbers be shown at the base of each column, or part way up?

I don't know whether other companies had them but the NER arch number plates were very small and probably wouldn't be visible from ground level. The early plates on the Wearmouth bridge were large and placed above the apex of the arch on the parapet wall and were clearly visible from ground level. I have photos of them and will see if I can post them.

 

[Andy873]

I have photos of them and will see if I can post them.

I should have mentioned this line was built by the L&Y. Yes, if you can find a photo I would like to see it please.

 

[Pinza-C55]

I should have mentioned this line was built by the L&Y. Yes, if you can find a photo I would like to see it please.

Here's a photo of number 7 in situ in about 2000 https://www.flickr.com/photos/155871599@N08/52723654871/in/dateposted-public/lightbox/

And number 5 after removal by contractors https://www.flickr.com/photos/155871599@N08/52723128987/in/dateposted-public/lightbox/

There were some traces of black paint but I doubt they had been painted for 100 years, particularly since there were a number of buildings in front of them.

 

[Andy873]

Here's a photo of number 7 in situ in about 2000 https://www.flickr.com/photos/155871599@N08/52723654871/in/dateposted-public/lightbox/

And number 5 after removal by contractors https://www.flickr.com/photos/155871599@N08/52723128987/in/dateposted-public/lightbox/

There were some traces of black paint but I doubt they had been painted for 100 years, particularly since there were a number of buildings in front of them.

Thanks for the photos, nice work.

I've looked at all the photos of Martholme viaduct and I cannot see any trace of arch numbers or indeed that they were ever there. I think in this case the L&Y maybe didn't bother.