Difference between revisions of "Mills Hill Bridge, Chadderton"
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Grade II listed (No. 1356431). Historic England listing [https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1356431?section=official-listing here]. This gives the construction date as 1863. However, the line had been built over the Rochdale canal by 1839, and the design is consistent that of several similar bridges built by George and Robert Stephenson in the late 1830s (see below). In fact the bridge was mentioned in September 1838, in an article about a trial run on part of the line: 'The Rochdale canal is next crossed, for the first time, about a quarter of a mile further, by a cast-iron trussed-beam bridge, with an arch of 75 feet span; the rails being about 20 feet above the surface of the water.'<ref> Blackburn Standard - Wednesday 19 September 1838 </ref> | Grade II listed (No. 1356431). Historic England listing [https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1356431?section=official-listing here]. This gives the construction date as 1863. However, the line had been built over the Rochdale canal by 1839, and the design is consistent that of several similar bridges built by George and Robert Stephenson in the late 1830s (see below). In fact the bridge was mentioned in September 1838, in an article about a trial run on part of the line: 'The Rochdale canal is next crossed, for the first time, about a quarter of a mile further, by a cast-iron trussed-beam bridge, with an arch of 75 feet span; the rails being about 20 feet above the surface of the water.'<ref> Blackburn Standard - Wednesday 19 September 1838 </ref> | ||
1839 'From Mills hill the train started, after a halt of four minutes, at seventeen minutes before one o'clock. The line here crosses the valley of the Irk on an embankment of nearly sixty feet in height. The eye of the passenger is delighted in the progress by very interesting views of a well-cultivated and varied country; but it is soon attracted by a large iron bridge, by which the train crosses the Rochdale canal; it is a skew of 73 1/2 feet span, and was built by Messrs. [[Radfords and Co]], to whose workmasnship it does the highest credit.'<ref>Leeds Mercury - Saturday 06 July 1839 | |||
It is rare example of an iron bowstring (tied arch) railway bridge with a suspended deck. Each side of the bridge comprises a pair of girders, spaced several feet apart. These are joined to each other by transverse X-braces, bolted to the vertical ribs of the girders. Each of these cast iron girders includes a 'Tudor' arch as its main member, and the 'string' of this 'bow' is a group of four tensioned rods. Each of these tensioned wrought iron rods comprises several bars joined by cast iron spools with tapered cotters. Decorative castings are attached to the top and bottom of the girders. | It is rare example of an iron bowstring (tied arch) railway bridge with a suspended deck. Each side of the bridge comprises a pair of girders, spaced several feet apart. These are joined to each other by transverse X-braces, bolted to the vertical ribs of the girders. Each of these cast iron girders includes a 'Tudor' arch as its main member, and the 'string' of this 'bow' is a group of four tensioned rods. Each of these tensioned wrought iron rods comprises several bars joined by cast iron spools with tapered cotters. Decorative castings are attached to the top and bottom of the girders. |
Revision as of 23:39, 1 January 2022
in Chadderton, near Oldham
Also known as Bridge 69B, and locally as Th' Iron Dongle. The name Mills Hill Bridge is assigned to it in 'Britain's Historic Railway Buildings' by Gordon Biddle.
The attractive and historically important skewed iron bridge carried the Manchester and Leeds Railway between Manchester and Rochdale over the Rochdale Canal, adjacent to Lock 61 (Scowcroft).
A girder bridge was added immediately alongside in the late 19thC to provide quadruple tracks. In the 1970s the line reverted to double tracks and the original bridge was taken out of use and had its deck removed.[2]
Grade II listed (No. 1356431). Historic England listing here. This gives the construction date as 1863. However, the line had been built over the Rochdale canal by 1839, and the design is consistent that of several similar bridges built by George and Robert Stephenson in the late 1830s (see below). In fact the bridge was mentioned in September 1838, in an article about a trial run on part of the line: 'The Rochdale canal is next crossed, for the first time, about a quarter of a mile further, by a cast-iron trussed-beam bridge, with an arch of 75 feet span; the rails being about 20 feet above the surface of the water.'[3]
1839 'From Mills hill the train started, after a halt of four minutes, at seventeen minutes before one o'clock. The line here crosses the valley of the Irk on an embankment of nearly sixty feet in height. The eye of the passenger is delighted in the progress by very interesting views of a well-cultivated and varied country; but it is soon attracted by a large iron bridge, by which the train crosses the Rochdale canal; it is a skew of 73 1/2 feet span, and was built by Messrs. Radfords and Co, to whose workmasnship it does the highest credit.'Cite error: Closing </ref>
missing for <ref>
tag.
At some point the deck supports were augmented by the insertion of additional cross beams between the original cast iron beams. These additional beams are of riveted wrought iron or steel construction. The ends of these horizontal beams turn upwards between the pairs of girders, and terminate in riveted crossheads which sit on top of the girders to take the weight.
Numerous photos, showing details, here.
Geograph entry here. The photo is reproduced above. This was taken in 2021 and shows that the decorative castings below the girder to be missing from the right hand side, presumably removed for repair.
Note: The older Todmorden - Gauxholme No. 2 Viaduct is of similar construction, but has been much altered.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ [1] 'Railway practice: A Collection of Working Plans and Practical Details of Construction in the Public Works of the Most Celebrated Engineers Comprising Tunnels and Tunnel Fronts, Turnpike Road Bridges...' by S. C. Brees, 1838, p.193
- ↑ 'Britain's Historic Railway Buildings' by Gordon Biddle, Oxford University Press, 2003
- ↑ Blackburn Standard - Wednesday 19 September 1838