Bridge that Gap: Great Central Railway News

The "Gap" website has now been updated to say that it is only a few days until the main bridge sections are lifted into place, and "more details are to follow.."

 

Have the bridge beams arrived at the site ready for the lift?

 

One hopes so, as they have now posted full details on the Gap website of what is taking place, together with viewing information.
Network Rail MML possession is 00.30-07.00 Sunday for any insomniacs interested.....

 

On Facebook it says "I have been informed by Moores that the Bridge sections will be loaded Saturday morning are being transported by road via the A47 then round by the bypass to Loughbrough Sat morning and should be on site by midday.They also said that the Deck was not due to be with the Girders".

My interpretation of the info so far is that the two side girders of the bridge will be lifted in this weekend, and then steel deck installed over the next couple of weeks. Will this still need the big crane?

Andy

 

Silly Question time - are they side girders? The website refers to them being box girder sections - don't these normally sit under the deck?

David R

 

I may well be using the wrong term and making a bridge-designer wince - bridge beams, side girders, box girders?
I seem to recollect a cross-section in the GCR magazine showing a trapezoidal-section box either side with the deck linking the bottom so the boxes effectively form 'walls' either side of the track. But of course the final design might be different!

 

AndyY. You are spot on that is what is being installed. (Not sure of the correct technical terminology though.)

Logically the large crane will disappear fairly swiftly and considerably smaller cranes used to install the remaining components over the coming weeks.

 

I've been wondering whether the big crane will still be needed to reach far enough, but if the deck will take a fortnight to install it would be expensive to keep the big one. I'm assuming installing the deck will also have to be done during overnight possessions of the Midland line below.

 

All the remaining components will be small and fairly light compared to the main beams, so can be craned in from both sides, a one ton lift at say 25m radius would not require a huge crane. If the big crane stays I would assume they would attempt to install everything else in one possession, unlikely to happen unless the contractors have a very extra special deal with Baldwins or the crane is not needed elsewhere. Mostly conjecture but We should know by Monday/ Tuesday . Hope this helps a bit.

 

The GCR website says "The new bridge is a "box girder" construction, with the two main sections being installed this weekend and followed in the coming weeks by the installation of 20 tonne steel plates which will form the main deck."
So some 20 tonne plates to lift into place. It doesn't say how many.
It's fascinating to see it all coming together.
Andy

 

AndyY. I think the 20 t is all the remaining steelwork as the bridge weighs in total 100t. There are approx 60 cross beams to install and then steel plate on top of them to take the ballast and track. There are a couple of drawings viewable on the Charnwood Borough council planning portal. Bit fiddly to find , but can be found if you search under Great Central Railway.

 

Both main beams installed earlier this morning. Timeline photos on GCR website: http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/unify/

 

I take it all went to plan and no delays.

Congratulations to all involved.

 

Splendid news! The 'end of the beginning'.

There's no longer any excuse for the sceptics to doubt that this project will be completed, the timescale will just be determined by the rate that funding can be raised.

 

I'm not too proud to admit that I was always very sceptical about this project ever happening in reality. Just goes to show, what do I know eh? Definitely the end of the beginning now and congratulations to all involved and for having more faith than I had.

 

Having supported the project since it was first formally announced four (five?) years ago, it is very satisfying to see the first part of it nearing completion.

"With the bridge complete, attention will move to the next phase of the gap project...."

So, what's the next phase? Let's keep the momentum up!

 

Congratulations. But It's 10.40 and it's 2017. I can not find a daylight photo on the net.

Anyone want to be a keyboard hero?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/99474-great-central-railway-news/?p=2841496

Which is in turn taken from the Greater Great Central facebook group.

 

At last! Bleddy marvellous thing to happen! I was on the railway in the early 90s , but since moving away have kept an eye on things , a lot through this website.

 

I had no idea this project was so advanced. Well done everyone concerned