The
Bridge Crane at Chaffey's Locks
One of
the wonders of railway construction was the bridge crane. This behemoth
of iron and steel would lift huge bridge girders and walk them out over
the chasm of rivers and set them down on the bridge piers. Like a
child's Meccano set, the bridge would be built piece- by- piece.
These photos record the building of the bridge across the canal at Chaffey's
Locks. While the tracks have long gone, the bridge still remains.
The bridge crane is getting ready to lift one of the girders for
the middle span. This girder has been walked forward onto the first
span. Extra weight has been added to the counterweight at the back
of the bridge crane to counterbalance the weight of the girder.
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