Swing bridge failure between Scunthorpe and Doncaster 29/04

[metrail]

I'm stuck on a Liverpool to Cleethorpes service at Doncaster, awaiting buses or taxis at 2038

Today I went from Wick to here without issue. But sods law on the last leg to Barnetby, I am stuck on Doncaster platform 8 now at 2110.

The swing bridge in stuck in the open position. I can guess it's the one near Crowle?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Is that the bridge at Keadby that's causing the problem?

 

[metrail]

Stuck at Doncaster platform 8.

Is that the bridge at Keadby that's causing the problem?

I think so.

Anyway, they quickly sorted taxis out for everyone from the 6 car TPE unit, and I was home before midnight, so not too bad in the end. Well done TPE for saving a bad situation.

Funnily enough, while in the taxi, the M180 was closed near Scunthorpe.

Looking on Realtimetrains, it seemed to continue after 48 minutes, probably empty. Maybe they were a bit hasty?

Yep, looks like they fixed it.

 

[Mugby]

Wasn't some extensive work done on that bridge fairly recently to make it less prone to failure?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Looking on Realtimetrains, it seemed to continue after 48 minutes, probably empty. Maybe they were a bit hasty?

Yep, looks like they fixed it.

National Rail were reporting the problem as having been resolved/cleared by 2130 (yesterday, 29APR2025). And looks like the 19:42 Northern stopper between Doncaster and Scunthorpe, terminated at Crowle, and then returned back to Doncaster 20+ mins down without ever calling at Althorpe or Scunthorpe.

 

[metrail]

Wasn't some extensive work done on that bridge fairly recently to make it less prone to failure?

Yes indeed. Thats is why I raised it. I recall my previous post asking about it. It was sorted quickly but must have cost a lot with about 15 big taxis.

 

[swt_passenger]

Why is it invariably referred to as a swing bridge? Is that the only built in option for NR delay messaging?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Why is it invariably referred to as a swing bridge? Is that the only built in option for NR delay messaging?

Presumably 'sliding bridge' isn't an option, and possibly doesn't add much, given that it's the only one on the entire GB network.

 

[High Dyke]

Perhaps the batteries that power it failed? Yes, it is battery powered.

Network Rail undertakes urgent repairs to unique sliding railway bridge over Lincolnshire canal | New Civil Engineer

The Vazon Sliding Railway Bridge works by sliding open to allow boats on the Stainforth and Keadby canals to pass, before returning to its original

www.newcivilengineer.com

An interesting feature of the bridge is that it is battery operated,” according to the trust’s website. “Whilst the bridge is not in use a set of 64 batteries, similar to those used in submarines, are being trickle charged. The bridge is operated using electrical power provided by the batteries. The batteries act as a back up system and they provide DC power to the motors which was originally controlled using a tramcar type of controller.

 

[metrail]

Why is it invariably referred to as a swing bridge? Is that the only built in option for NR delay messaging?

It's so that people understand, more than anything. "A swing bridge stuck in the open position for river traffic". That is what the station announcements said. If they said, 'sliding bridge' , it may have led to some puzzlement.