4mm Llanfair ....

[Captain Kernow]

Well, the obvious answer is “cost”, but railways did invest for the future, despite being very cost conscious, so it’s plausible either way.

I wonder what a typical bridge cost back in the day. There’s a lot of digging, masonry, woodwork….

Perhaps it was deemed cheaper to provide a double track bridge from the outset, rather than having to re-build an existing single track bridge to accommodate double track and still keep trains running past the site of work?

 

[Tim Birch]

In 1874 the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway invited tenders for the Hoddlesden branch between Bolton and Blackburn. This is an area of upland with a mixture of brick and stone building ( the Shaw's Glazed Brick Co was on the branch). I have attached an extract from the successful tender which gives a good indication of what a railway would be expected to pay. The Bank of England inflation calculator suggests around a 95-fold increase to today's prices.

 

[Phil O]

My vote is for the stone and why wouldn't you build it big enough for two tracks if that was the intention in the future , which never eventuated.

The over bridges on the Launceston branch were built double track as far as Shaugh Prior Platform, I've not walked the line beyond the entrance to Shaugh tunnel. The route that far appears to have enough land to add a 2nd track.

 

[Nick Rogers]

The over bridges on the Launceston branch were built double track as far as Shaugh Prior Platform, I've not walked the line beyond the entrance to Shaugh tunnel. The route that far appears to have enough land to add a 2nd track.

I think pretty much all of them were from Plymouth to Tavistock. I have been researching that line for about 14 years with a view to building Horrabridge (very so burn but hopefully next year it will take off!).

Looking at some of the bridges north of Tavistock, I think a few of them were double track.

Best wishes,

 

[Ian@StEnochs]

When the Waverly line was reinstated the bridges were built for a single track of railway but A class roads. Political priorities?

 

[LarryG]

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Constituent pieces plonked in place. As mentioned before, the bridge also spanned the lead to the engine shed, which closed before the war. The shed track was removed as far as the bridge ~ hence the buffer stops. Moving the bridge back has exposed the Peco Code 100 curve, but its heavy rail fastenings help disguise the flat-bottom effect.....

 

[Andy P]

That is looking SO, SO good Larry, really envious of your space and flair for a natural looking Layout. Happy New Year and have a good 25 and beyond.