Reedham Swing Bridge Sat 17th June 2017

[PeterY]

I was sitting on the 14.10 at Norwich this afternoon, hoping to go to Lowestoft. The guard said the train was being cancelled, due to the swing bridge at Reedham being stuck open and bus replacement was waiting outside. I had to hastily change my plans.

Does this happen often?

 

[Z12XE]

I'm guessing this was heat related and the bridge wouldn't fit in position properly?

 

[dk1]

It was close to closing but not enough. Unfortunately with such ageing pieces of infrastructure here, Somerleyton & Oulton Broad it's just something we've learned to expect in exceptional weather conditions.

 

[HarleyDavidson]

So the line was running to Broad gauge today then?

 

[TheEdge]

I was sitting on the 14.10 at Norwich this afternoon, hoping to go to Lowestoft. The guard said the train was being cancelled, due to the swing bridge at Reedham being stuck open and bus replacement was waiting outside. I had to hastily change my plans.

Does this happen often?

Its not a regular occurance but its also not unknown. It generally falls down to the interlocking, the bridges are closed but the bolts that complete the signalling interlock refuse to engage, for reasons that are obvious if the bolts are not engaging then nothing moves.

Although its odd to be Reedham, Somerleyton is more often the problem child.

 

[grumblingalong]

Its not a regular occurance but its also not unknown. It generally falls down to the interlocking, the bridges are closed but the bolts that complete the signalling interlock refuse to engage, for reasons that are obvious if the bolts are not engaging then nothing moves.

Although its odd to be Reedham, Somerleyton is more often the problem child.

Oulton Broad breaks every time they use it!!

 

[edwin_m]

I was sitting on the 14.10 at Norwich this afternoon, hoping to go to Lowestoft. The guard said the train was being cancelled, due to the swing bridge at Reedham being stuck open and bus replacement was waiting outside. I had to hastily change my plans.

Does this happen often?

Wouldn't boat replacement be more appropriate?

 

[DasLunatic]

Wouldn't boat replacement be more appropriate?

Can't happen - it's 5km by river between Reedham and Haddiscoe, plus about a 1km walk through the village centre. I don't think any of the local pleasure craft operators would send a vehicle down for rail replacement, anyway...

 

[edwin_m]

Can't happen - it's 5km by river between Reedham and Haddiscoe, plus about a 1km walk through the village centre. I don't think any of the local pleasure craft operators would send a vehicle down for rail replacement, anyway...

It would be much more interesting though.

(it wasn't a serious suggestion)

 

[dk1]

Just failed again & NR enroute. Wait for 44 points to go in the Reedham cutting then the Berney Arms branch will be buggered too. It's far to hot here today.

 

[Ploughman]

Selby Swing bridge on the A19 has a history of getting a bit too warm as well.

 

[Trainfan344]

The bridge in Lowestoft town centre broke this afternoon as well, due to heat related problems, so it's not just swing bridges affected!

 

[Tio Terry]

In BR days the PWay guys used to use a pump to water the bridges - Trowse, Reedham. Somerleyton and Carlton Colville - and keep them cool during hot weather. Of course, we also had Beccles, Haddiscoe and Breydon in those days too.

 

[HarleyDavidson]

Wouldn't boat replacement be more appropriate?

In BR days the PWay guys used to use a pump to water the bridges - Trowse, Reedham. Somerleyton and Carlton Colville - and keep them cool during hot weather. Of course, we also had Beccles, Haddiscoe and Breydon in those days too.

Reckon it would work today?

 

[Tio Terry]

Reckon it would work today?

Don't see why not, there's plenty of water available!

 

[dk1]

In BR days the PWay guys used to use a pump to water the bridges - Trowse, Reedham. Somerleyton and Carlton Colville - and keep them cool during hot weather. Of course, we also had Beccles, Haddiscoe and Breydon in those days too.

I think it's done automatically Nowadays.

 

[LAX54]

I think it's done automatically Nowadays.

I worked all the bridges in the 80's, and I can count on one hand the amount of times the bridge 'failed'
Maybe it was due to the service being a lot lighter then, and keeping the bridge(s) 'off' for longer ?