A question about the Kings

The SVR has strengthened Victoria Bridge but there is a world of difference between occasionally having a big engine ambling along at 25mph and regular running at full speed

 

Would this be the reason for the restriction placed on 6024 during its visit in 2011 when I recall that it was only allowed one through run on a dining train IIRC

 

The loco was stabled at Bewdley and, early morning, went light engine to Kidder to 'warm up' the stock. Having then completed a round trip with the dining train (6024 members outing) there was no time remaining for another round trip. Other running days we completed 2 round trips each day. Very enjoyable time too. Noticed all locos proceeding cautiously over Victoria Bridge - but unaware if more severe speed restriction placed on 6024.

 

I'm not sure if this has changed since then, but nowadays there is a speed limit of 15mph across the bridge for all trains in any case.

 

Ah apologies - my misunderstanding!

 

I might be "stepping in it" for asking but is this Victoria bridge the large one designed by Brunel? Tried looking it up online and the only Victoria bridge I found carries some highway. Located @ Stockton-On-Tees? I know I have seen many videos of trains slowly crossing the big Brunel bridge.

 

No, Victoria Bridge is on the Severn Valley Railway, information on it here. http://www.svrwiki.com/Victoria_Bridge

You may be thinking of Brunel’s Royal Albert Bridge which crosses the River Tamar between Devon and Cornwall. Kings were banned from crossing Royal Albert Bridge due to their weight, so they would be taken off the express services to Cornwall at Plymouth and replaced by a Castle. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Albert_Bridge

 

Victoria Bridge (the NER didn't have viaducts ) at Washington carries the Leamside line across the River Wear.

The only road conversion I can think of up here in the North East is at Bishop Auckland, where Newton Cap, which once carried the Durham line, is now used as part of the A689 alignment. These days it's referred to as a viaduct, of course...

 

This is the Severn Valley's Victoria Bridge

 

Yes, I imagine there are a lot of Victoria bridges in the world...

 

We'll up stream at Ironbridge there is the very similar Albert Bridge on the line to Ironbridge. Both designed by John Fowler.

 

.wrong thread.

 

6024 was stabled at Bridgenorth for the Royal Train with Prince Charles from Kidderminster,I was on the cleaning gang for that trip,I can also remember helping to Prep the loco at Bewdley prior to a mainline run to where I can no longer remember.

 

That was the 2008 Royal visit following the 2007 floods. 6024 had just had an emergency bogie repair, so 6021 Princess Elizabeth was also at Kidderminster on stand-by. If only you could get cover like that for all railtours...

 

Arrival at Bridgnorth. Job done.

 

Thanks to all for the primer on your bridges They are beautiful and the steam that runs on them is magnificent. You can be proud. Once we had powerful Hudsons roaming the rails in the hundreds on NYC and not a one saved. Same case for many more types. Shame on American rails. Long live your Kings, Castles, Black Fives and all the rest!
Dick
PS. Wish I could send Pennsylvania RR 1361 K4s over to you along with a bucket of money It now sits in pieces with little hope of it ever running again much less being put back together. You folks could "git er done".