Chepstow

[Christian Schm]

Hi,

I have come across the listing desciption for roof over the northern part of Chepstow station. It is described as ‘4-bay timber canopy of 1870's or 80's, with backward sloping roof supported at rear on wooden boarded and brick wall and in front on 3 fluted and reeded iron columns with decorated caps; canopy anchored into 1850 building at south end. Incorporates weighbridge.’

Most of this makes sense when looking at the station. But 'incoporates weighbridge', what could that refer to?

 

[Gloster]

Looking at the 25” maps of Chepstow for 1880 and 1900, I would think that this was a smaller machine for luggage. The 1880 survey shows a weighing machine at the logical position near the yard entrance, but also one of the south end of the Down platform.

 

[Rescars]

Looking at the 25” maps of Chepstow for 1880 and 1900, I would think that this was a smaller machine for luggage. The 1880 survey shows a weighing machine at the logical position near the yard entrance, but also one of the south end of the Down platform.

I imagine these smaller weighbridges were quite widespread over the GWR. A big contract for Pooley's of Birmingham at a guess. For example, IIRC there was one at Great Malvern, built into the up platform just outside the parcels office, just big enough to accommodate a four wheeled trolley. Anyone know if any part of it is still in situ.

 

[RPM]

Here it is:

 

[Christian Schm]

Thank you very much!

 

[Ashley Hill]

Taunton still has a working one. Here’s an image of it from the Taunton Trains website.

 

[Gloster]

I have always understood that there was a difference between a weighbridge, which was large enough to weigh a whole cart or road vehicle, and a weighing machine that was just for smaller items, probably only those that could be carried on a luggage trolley. The first would be found near the entrance to a goods yard to weigh goods in and out (weigh the vehicle in one direction and the vehicle plus load in the other, then subtract the first from the second). The second would be found near parcels offices, etc. I wonder if the listing has used the wrong word.

 

[Rescars]

I have always understood that there was a difference between a weighbridge, which was large enough to weigh a whole cart or road vehicle, and a weighing machine that was just for smaller items, probably only those that could be carried on a luggage trolley. The first would be found near the entrance to a goods yard to weigh goods in and out (weigh the vehicle in one direction and the vehicle plus load in the other, then subtract the first from the second). The second would be found near parcels offices, etc. I wonder if the listing has used the wrong word.

It's a good question! There were weighing machines which were free-standing, used for individual items. Does a weighing machine become a weighbridge if its table is at ground level, so it can be directly accessed by a wheeled vehicle (however small) perhaps?

 

[Gloster]

It's a good question! There were weighing machines which were free-standing, used for individual items. Does a weighing machine become a weighbridge if its table is at ground level, so it can be directly accessed by a wheeled vehicle (however small) perhaps?

I think that a weighbridge is a machine that is large enough for a vehicle to be driven on to with the driver aboard or, for rail ones, to accommodate a wagon. Anything that can only handle smaller items is a weighing machine. Even if the table is at ground level, if it is too small for a vehicle it is a weighing machine. Somewhere amongst all the UK legislation there is probably a definition as I believe there were more stringent rules for the certification of weighbridges.