Things have been quietly ticking along lately... (sorry!)..., but now it's time for something completely different:
I was very happy to accept a commission to repaint the brickwork on an already superbly crafted and beautifully accurate model of this particular Great Northern Railway "occupation" bridge:
Located on a long defunct mineral only branch in the Lincolnshire Wolds that served the ironstone quarries of the district, this splendid example was built entirely in "Staffie" Blues.
Not that obvious at first glance though is it? In fact, the colours range widely from the true and proper brownish/purple blue, through delicate pinks to bright orange - sometimes on each individual brick too! This is going to be quite a challenge...?! ...but now it has become even more interesting:
During discussions, my customer described his intentions and the purpose of the model for his layout. In it, the bridge will be located on a severed section of the main line, with a branch and cutting leading off and down to an imagined newer quarry working. This means that the bridge will be shown disused and becoming increasingly derelict (as it is now) but significantly, part of the normally buried abutment structure will be revealed at one end.
Unfortunately, the original model design had not allowed for this, and whilst I really relish the prospect of adding some very interesting features, I was terrified of going anywhere near the model with any sharp tools or implements!
Quite apart from not knowing how the model was put together on the inside, I wanted to be absolutely sure of exactly what was required, and where I was going to make any cuts into the fabric! I have therefore taken a bit of trouble with the research - while plucking up the courage!
Firstly, here is a prototype clue to the upper part of the works that has been exposed by normal erosion:
Some quite rough and stepped brickwork just below the core surface level and the earthen approach ramp!
Although my sketch is somewhat exaggerated, I hope it shows what is proposed for the "good" end...
The real problem is the dug out section at the opposite end!
Here lies yet another tale...:
I was assured that in my own locality a very similar bridge, albeit a Great Eastern one built in ordinary "reds", was still extant on our long closed section of the Stour Valley Line. It too was disused and had become completely isolated in a short section of cutting by a housing development at one end and field reclamation at the other. Even after fifty years, it would appear that Network Rail are still responsible for maintaining it?!
Recently observed, I noticed that a farmer had bulldozed out the approach ramp in his field, thus exposing part of the foundations. Perfect for this job?! Just hop in the car and motor over for another quick look, this time armed with a camera?
Ah...! So who is the fool...?
The design of a plain arch bridge like this means that the centre arch thrust is counter-balanced on the piers by the smaller outer arches, that in turn bear their load on the end abutments. Remove some of the backfill and soil (in this case for easier ploughing) and the whole lot started to move sideways with an inevitable result...
Someone has in the meantime had to pay a not inconsiderable sum of money, time and effort to reduce what had become an extremely dangerous structure to a huge pile of unrecognisable rubble!
Oh well, back to the search then...?
Without absolute proof, it would seem reasonable that the bridge construction would have been something similar to this next sketch:
Fortunately, we wont need to do the counterforts, but the top of the abutment, (core wall?) some of the haunch fill and a bit more of the stepping on the spandrel walls will be...!
Gulp, time to get busy with the hammer and chisel....?!
Oh, lor' lummey, that's an awful looking 'ole! Gorn an' done it now though!
...and it's got to get worse before it can get better?
Pete.
