Bridge plate identity

I have recently seen this cast iron bridge plate. It's roughly six inches diameter and about half an inch thick. Does anyone have an idea of the originating railway? ( There has been a comment that it could have come from a canal bridge or lock.) There are no tell tale casting marks or details painted on the reverse.

Thanks, Neil

 

No idea, but interesting that it has a full stop. Is that usual? I don't recall ever seeing one on a cast sign of any sort.

 

I agree that full stop is unusual and may make it easier to identify.

Cheers, Neil

 

Looks about the size of those found on minor underbridges.
Not Culverts.

 

It could even be a house number plate. Is it definitely cast iron?

 

Most definitely cast iron. The original white paint was flaking and probably old enough to be lead based.
Apparently it was cleaned up with a scraper and a nylon brush and white spirit before repainting.

Cheers, Neil

 

Not a railway plate and not like any canal plate Ive ever seen?

 

Could it be a mile marker of some sort?

 

The format of that 5 looks very like the style often used for waggon numbering.

But the full stop ? now, that is puzzling !

 

Talking of Bridge Plates.
I am aware that the LMS used the same pattern of Bridge Plate as used by LNWR, and that BR also cast some but it appears that some GNR bridge plates are cast in the LNWR pattern.

The usual pattern of GNR plate was thus.


I assume these were cast as replacements but by whom?

 

I wonder if the full stop was used to determine the direction for mounting, certain numbers can be viably reversed ...
[although the five in this case would do the same job]

 

Rather discombobulated now! This has just appeared on one of my alerts from one auction house.
.
And from another auction house.



One has to ask. Are both genuine and cast at different works or one a replacement...........?
Ideas anyone?

 

Different painting schedules.

I have in the past, repainted White with Yellow.

 

Tis not the painting that is the issue but the casting patterns.
The two's are of a different style and there are subtle differences in the beading.

Sent from my SM-J330FN using Tapatalk

 

Different spacing between GNR too.

 

Truly.


I must try to get a book on Bridgeplates. It is a mystery how the numbering was carried out. One might assume each RLY numbered bridges in ascending order from their headquarters, or main station. Ie. GNR - 1 at Kings Cross etc.
But, it appears that numbers were duplicated, as above. Two GNR 21s and I have seen other examples from different companies.

On a different note I noticed this week that Trimley station on the Ipswich to Felixstowe branch has two new single flanged Totems. Lovely they look too, but I do wonder how long it will be before some scroat bends the wings back and forth. I suppose you could argue that is prototypical after all that fate befell many Totems in BR days.

 

There's a GNR bridge 22 at Harringay station - a GNR bridge plate is still attached to the brickwork next to the down fast.

https://flic.kr/p/24WCxvn

Just visible in front of the 180. I believe it's the same style as the second one you posted above. Hard to check though when there's no trains this weekend! I'll have to have a look next time I pass through there in daylight.

Bridge 21 would therefore be the next one south, carrying the ECML over the GOBLIN.

 

Had to really think about that one! GOBLIN - Gospel Oak to Barking Line

 

Be wonderful if you can post a close up pickie, if that is at all possible.