GCR Bridge Project

[Roast Veg]

Great images thank you for updates. Any idea on the timescale when the steel repairs are likely to be carried out? Cant wait to see steam passing over the canal will be a brilliant site

Judging by the earlier post it sounds like a lot of the work will have to wait until after the summer season for the canal to be closed or for access to be restricted..

 

[Flying Phil]

I walked along the Canal path today and here are pictures of the underside of the canal bridge. It is at either end where it rests on the stonework that is most corroded

 

[Flying Phil]

The first picture shows what a difficult job it will be as only the North end can be jacked up from the tow path. There is no path on the South side so presumably that will need a crane to lift it from above? Also it is angled across the canal so harder to get an even lift?

 

[AndyY1951]

I'm still surprised that the bridge wasn't craned out so the steelwork could be repaired on 'dry land'!

 

[John Webb]

The canal is sufficiently wide at that point that some form of trestle scaffolding could be put in the canal both to support the bridge on jacks and give access for the repair work to the 'off-side' end of the bridge (ie the non-towpath side).

Interesting pictures - thanks for the update.

 

[Cowley]

Yes very interesting.
Is the canal used much (I seem to remember that it is)?

 

[AndyY1951]

Any canal stoppage (other than an emergency) has to be planned and publicised in advance and only for a limited period, for obvious reasons. Craning the bridge out would have removed any time pressures from its restoration, as well as giving good access to both steelwork and the abutments. But I have every confidence that the job has been thought out by those suitably qualified.
I'm looking forward to seeing pictures as the work progresses!

 

[Flying Phil]

The 1940's weekend seemed to be very well attended. The weather on Saturday lead to packed trains and Sunday was busy despite the showers. The "On Train" Gap collections were raising useful amounts of money and lots of interest.

 

[Flying Phil]

In the latest "Main Line" it says that the Canal Bridge might still have both spans restored for trains. Given that it is a single unit and the central girder plus deck plus outer girder would need work, it cannot add too much to the overall cost to get the other deck and outer girder done at the same time. So good news!
Quorn station yard has been transformed for the "Model Event"...

 

[Roast Veg]

Saw a high-vis wearer on the canal bridge this morning - possibly surveying for the bridge raising work due this winter?

 

[Roast Veg]

Yesterday, multiple orange clad members of staff were operating some sort of large yellow frame-like device. Couldn't make out the details.

 

[Flying Phil]

Thanks Roast Veg. Hopefully this is the start of the winter work which should see the bridge lifted and the end support steel beams being made good.

 

[Roast Veg]

I will continue to provide updates as I see them, but unfortunately I don't have time in the mornings to take any pictures, and any work will be wrapped up by the time I make my return journey.

 

[Flying Phil]

I popped along today and there are a pair of big girders in place across the North end of the canal bridge. I assume this will be welded in place and used to lift that end?

 

[Cowley]

Good to see!

 

[Roast Veg]

Activity every morning, approximately 4 on-bridge staff.

 

[L+Y]

Excellent news- thanks very much for these updates.

 

[AndrewE]

I popped along today and there are a pair of big girders in place across the North end of the canal bridge. I assume this will be welded in place and used to lift that end?View attachment 68904

It's more likely that they will either "hang" another girder across the bridge underneath (with high-tensile bolts/rods) and lift the pair - not very likely - or rotate it and lift out each girder individually in the same way. It would be easy to bring in the underneath-girder along the canal.
No way would anyone try to weld something to be lifted, especially if they wanted to re-use the main bit.
It's still a bit odd, as ready-built lifting beams/load spreaders are available purpose-built.

 

[Flying Phil]

As you say Andrew - it is a bit odd. The new girders are not overhanging the bridge so the high tensile bolts idea is not possible. I would have thought it possible to put jacks on the canal path to lift it from underneath and the top girder just holds it together as one piece?

 

[AndyY1951]

Is it possible that girder has just been temporarily put there, and will be moved and used in a different way?

 

[AndyY1951]

There's a new update on YouTube -

But only 1 minute 14 seconds long, what a missed opportunity to give a proper update!
I really don't understand why the GCR are so parsimonious with information.

Andy

 

[Flying Phil]

I totally agree Andy! Hopefully they will update regularly, now that work has restarted.

 

[Roast Veg]

A "towpath diversionary route" has now been put in place for pedestrians and dismounted cyclists, via the road bridges either side of the GCR crossing.

 

[Flying Phil]

There was a Big crane by the canal bridge today....... lifting bits of metal

 

[Flying Phil]

Later I went "Topside" and it was explained what is happening.... The new "cross girder" is anchored on the left hand side and those red and white containers have 10 tons of water to hold that side of the bridge down. At the right hand end there are 2 hydraulic rams to lift the tie rods - and the end of the old bridge girder, by a few cm. That corner of the bridge bearing surface is repaired. The Centre span girder acts as the support and does not need repair.
Repeat for the other side and other end (possibly only one corner).
They could not risk jacking up from the towpath underneath as they were unsure as to its stability and strength.

 

[Roast Veg]

Thanks for the information Phil.

 

[Flying Phil]

Thinking a bit more about the "Gap" project ....30th September 1973 saw the first public run of a steam engine from Loughborough to Quorn.
What finer culmination of the reunification dream would it be, if the 50th Anniversary in 2023 could see a steam engine going North from Loughborough to Ruddington.
Obviously this would be a challenge in financial and physical terms.....but what a target to aim for!
This would be a real stimulus for fundraising and raising the profile of the project....."Forward" the GCR.....

 

[Flying Phil]

I know that it is an extremely ambitious date - but that is part of the strategy (as JFK said about the moon programme).
I also know that we (armchair experts?) think things are easier than is actually the case but it is worth remembering that the first "spade in the ground" for the MML bridge was Feb 2016 - only just over 3 years ago. Foundations started in Jan 2017.....since then that bridge has been finished, the Canal bridge is halfway completed and much paperwork and planning has been done for the remainder.
The embankment section to the North of the MML bridge could have the earth moved quite quickly - it was moved from the paddock in about a week. Because it is higher and closer to the brook, there may be some pilings required along the Eastern base? Then a point on the chord line, ballast and track over the MML bridge, pose steam engine on bridge - excellent publicity and increased project momentum.
Track over the canal bridge, pose steam engine over canal - excellent publicity and increased project momentum.
Build arches and abutments over Preci-Spark car park and tip road, lay track, pose steam locomotive on arches, excellent publicity increased project momentum.
Build the 400m embankment, lay track........... Gap Bridged!
There may well be later changes to extend the double track along the embankment - both at the South and at the North over the A6 bridge, there will be more alterations to trackwork and signals North of Loughborough station, there may well only be the single track initially past/through the engine shed.......But the Gap will have been filled..... by the end of 2023.
That is the vision for the 50th Anniversary year.

 

[EbbwJunction1]

"That is the vision for the 50th Anniversary year."

Is that your vision, or the plan by the two railway companies? I haven't seen any projected date for the through services to be resumed, so I'm assuming that there isn't one at present - am I right, please?

 

[Flying Phil]

"That is the vision for the 50th Anniversary year."

Is that your vision, or the plan by the two railway companies? I haven't seen any projected date for the through services to be resumed, so I'm assuming that there isn't one at present - am I right, please?

Hi Ebbw Junction
It is purely my vision ..... Often, having a deadline, does serve to focus minds and promote activity. The four year timescale is just to get a train across the gap - there would be a significant amount of further work to do to get it fully operational.....In my vision.
It is a project that has excited and enthused many people in this country and world wide, who have contributed already in time and money - having this as a target will, I believe, encourage much more of that support....... from even more people and organisations.