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Selby Swing Bridge by Ian Scott Massie
Variable Edition Reduction Screen Print - Edition of 8
16" x 12" Mounted size - 8" x 6" Image size
Available: framed @ £179, unframed @ £130
To shop, please click here
16" x 12" Mounted size - 8" x 6" Image size
Available: framed @ £179, unframed @ £130
To shop, please click here
SELBY SWING BRIDGE
The East Coast Main Line has to cross many bridges on its way from London to Edinburgh, but few require such a flexible design as the one just outside Selby Station. Selby is an ancient town with a lovely medieval church, Selby Abbey. But here the River Ouse, flowing down from York towards Hull, throws a watery obstacle in the railway’s path.
The Ouse at this point is a navigable river close to the North Sea. Selby, for centuries, had been a ship-building centre. responsible for Henry V’s 15th century vessels to 20th century ships. A bridge would have to allow the passage of shipping.
The elegant solution to spanning the river was eventually made in the form of a swing bridge. For £30,948 13 shillings a new bridge was built in 1889. It had a swinging span of 40m and a fixed span of 34m, with elevated approaches on both sides of the river.
I’ve looked at the bridge from the station platform, where the swinging structure is all but invisible. From the riverbank, however, it’s a work of engineering art. The bridge still operates and is now powered by hydraulic engines, controlled from a cabin over the track. Originally it was powered by steam, through underground pipes from the station.
Selby is no longer on the main line. Coal mining north of the town led to potential stability issues with the track bed and the Selby Diversion was created, opening in 1983. The new track takes the line westward before turning north to York, but trains to Hull still rattle over the swing bridge.
The Ouse at this point is a navigable river close to the North Sea. Selby, for centuries, had been a ship-building centre. responsible for Henry V’s 15th century vessels to 20th century ships. A bridge would have to allow the passage of shipping.
The elegant solution to spanning the river was eventually made in the form of a swing bridge. For £30,948 13 shillings a new bridge was built in 1889. It had a swinging span of 40m and a fixed span of 34m, with elevated approaches on both sides of the river.
I’ve looked at the bridge from the station platform, where the swinging structure is all but invisible. From the riverbank, however, it’s a work of engineering art. The bridge still operates and is now powered by hydraulic engines, controlled from a cabin over the track. Originally it was powered by steam, through underground pipes from the station.
Selby is no longer on the main line. Coal mining north of the town led to potential stability issues with the track bed and the Selby Diversion was created, opening in 1983. The new track takes the line westward before turning north to York, but trains to Hull still rattle over the swing bridge.
How it would look on your wall
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