4mm Llanfair ....

[Captain Kernow]

Well, the obvious answer is “cost”, but railways did invest for the future, despite being very cost conscious, so it’s plausible either way.

I wonder what a typical bridge cost back in the day. There’s a lot of digging, masonry, woodwork….

Perhaps it was deemed cheaper to provide a double track bridge from the outset, rather than having to re-build an existing single track bridge to accommodate double track and still keep trains running past the site of work?

 

[Tim Birch]

In 1874 the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway invited tenders for the Hoddlesden branch between Bolton and Blackburn. This is an area of upland with a mixture of brick and stone building ( the Shaw's Glazed Brick Co was on the branch). I have attached an extract from the successful tender which gives a good indication of what a railway would be expected to pay. The Bank of England inflation calculator suggests around a 95-fold increase to today's prices.

 

[Phil O]

My vote is for the stone and why wouldn't you build it big enough for two tracks if that was the intention in the future , which never eventuated.

The over bridges on the Launceston branch were built double track as far as Shaugh Prior Platform, I've not walked the line beyond the entrance to Shaugh tunnel. The route that far appears to have enough land to add a 2nd track.

 

[Nick Rogers]

The over bridges on the Launceston branch were built double track as far as Shaugh Prior Platform, I've not walked the line beyond the entrance to Shaugh tunnel. The route that far appears to have enough land to add a 2nd track.

I think pretty much all of them were from Plymouth to Tavistock. I have been researching that line for about 14 years with a view to building Horrabridge (very so burn but hopefully next year it will take off!).

Looking at some of the bridges north of Tavistock, I think a few of them were double track.

Best wishes,

 

[Ian@StEnochs]

When the Waverly line was reinstated the bridges were built for a single track of railway but A class roads. Political priorities?

 

[LarryG]

HAPPY NEW YEAR. As mentioned before, the bridge also spanned the lead to the engine shed, which closed before the war. The shed track was removed as far as the bridge ~ hence the buffer stops. Moving the bridge back has exposed the Peco Code 100 curve, but its heavy rail fastenings help disguise the flat-bottom effect.....

 

[Andy P]

That is looking SO, SO good Larry, really envious of your space and flair for a natural looking Layout. Happy New Year and have a good 25 and beyond.

 

[LarryG]

First sign of decent weather this morning with 65 degrees in the shed. BR Std 2 No. 78054 was working the 12.00 noon from Llanfair today...

 

[Gismorail]

I’d vote for the stone structure Larry looks more GWR especially in that area

 

[LarryG]

I’d vote for the stone structure Larry looks more GWR especially in that area

Thanks, I agree. The red brick one went to a fellow WT member last week ...

 

[LarryG]

A Ratio 505 loco coaling stage has been built while the weather is too cold to work outdoors. Artificial lighting has added a colour cast. It is actually greyer than it looks...

I'm tagging on the coal staithes for the goods yard, which after two years have just been painted...

Awaiting bedding in, coal bags and the rest of the coalmans paraphernalia...

 

[LarryG]

So far, the layout has used large radius points. This future alteration is lying on top of existing track and will be laid for purely aesthetic reasons, its 'hub' being a small radius 'Y' point. I wanted to introduce a sharp curve in the yard which (as a bonus) not only makes the yard look wider, but will give shunting manoeuvres more character. The new coaling stage is plonked in place. All I need now is some decent weather...

 

[Phil O]

Larry,

I think that curves seem to add space, than straight lines.

 

[LarryG]

One outcome from the forum 'outage' was a return to coach building to keep the mind occupied. It was pleasantly surprising to discover some Comet roofs plus enough underframe bits to keep things motoring for a few weeks. After a 45-drawer unit containing coach bits was screwed back on the workroom wall, a start was made on building a GWR D121 corr. bk/3rd from stock etchings...

 

[sjp23480]

@LarryG - so pleased to see this, I miss your coach building threads!

 

[LarryG]

I leave things so long now before making a decision that the 7th February image can now be ignored! Did I really want to rip up the back shunt just to lay a small radius 'Y' point? No, it was just another winter whim.

With that sorted, I was able to weather-in the coal bunker and loco coaling stage...



Loco servicing facility set up after the loco shed closed in 1923 (AI history!)


Full view...