NorthWest Exploration Forum

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-   -   The Forth Rail Bridge, Scotland Feb 2013 (http://www.nwex.co.uk/showthread.php?t=10358)

the kwan 18-02-2013 09:19

The Forth Rail Bridge, Scotland Feb 2013
 
Visited with SAt,

We set off to see this lovely structure and it was worth every mile that we travelled, as you approach her the first thing that strikes you is Her height, she dwarfs everything around her feet and then the next thing to strike you is her structure and the pure genius of how she is put together. Then when you realise that you are going to the top of Her, the fear sets in well it did for me anyway.

some History
The bridge is, even today, regarded as an engineering marvel.[12] It is 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) in length, and the double track is elevated 46 metres (151 ft) above the water level at high tide. It consists of two main spans of 521.3 metres (1,710 ft), two side spans of 207.3 metres (680 ft), and 15 approach spans of 51.2 metres (168 ft).[13] Each main span comprises two 207.3 metres (680 ft) cantilever arms supporting a central 106.7 metres (350 ft) span truss. The weight of the bridge superstructure was 51,324 tonnes (50,513 long tons), including the 6.5 million rivets used.[13] The bridge also used 18,122 cubic metres (640,000 cu ft) of granite.[14]
The three great four-tower cantilever structures are 100.6 metres (330 ft) tall,[13] each tower resting on a separate granite pier. These were constructed using 21 metres (70 ft) diameter caissons, those for the north cantilever and two on Inchgarvie acting as coffer dams while the remaining two on Inchgarvie and those for the south cantilever, where the river bed was 28 m (91 ft) below high-water level used compressed air to keep water out of the working chamber at the base.[15]

The Bridge taken from the BBC Scotland website showing the scaffold platform on top
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...idgeresize.jpg

This is what greeted us as we arrived in the Neet time
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...013/edit14.jpg


Uncle K out on the structure near the top I tried scottish dancing in a Gangnam stylee....seriously though, I was just standing there clenching my buttocks for the camera :)

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...13/meblurr.jpg

This was shot from the overhang of the scaffold platform
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...2013/edit2.jpg

SAt was climbing and running all over the show like a Kid on a sugar rush and on more than a few occasions I had to look away as he walked on the lower gantry levels and generally climbed around like a monkey.
here he is playing chicken with himself and doing pressups on the platform overhang and seeing how far he could lean out before shifting his weight back in the end I just stopped looking.
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...013/edit12.jpg

This shows the service lift and queensferry below
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...2013/edit5.jpg

This shot is looking from one platform across the top of the bridge to the other platform the strong yellow floodlights made photography difficult
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...2013/edit9.jpg


Et moi on the walkway
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...013/edit13.jpg

Top of the shop
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...2013/edit1.jpg

This shot was difficult because of the lights but there is a ship passing under the bridge
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...013/edit11.jpg

thanks for looking

Bodger 18-02-2013 11:56

That's impressive...

urban 18-02-2013 12:02

Looking good, nice pics.

Gibbo 18-02-2013 14:59

Very impressive!

the kwan 18-02-2013 17:54

Cheers for commenting peoples, it was an impressive structure. :)

Snake Oil 18-02-2013 21:09

ballsy!! I think the bridges lighting adds to the photos :)

NorthMancBeds 19-02-2013 06:59

go on!

the kwan 19-02-2013 10:07

Thanks for commenting and yes I too thought that the lights helped but had to be sure to shoot raw so I could change the WB in Lightroom.

The Cat Crept In 19-02-2013 17:48

Wow now that's what I call scary. top shots.

Kenni 20-02-2013 21:22

Brilliant, long way to travel if it had turned out to be a fail! Very impressive. Did any choo choo's go across while you was on it?

the kwan 20-02-2013 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenni (Post 149728)
Brilliant, long way to travel if it had turned out to be a fail! Very impressive. Did any choo choo's go across while you was on it?

Yes and the bridge rattled like mad but we only had two trains because it was after 11pm when we got there, we did have a backup plan that thankfully was not needed :)

Reddood 22-02-2013 19:09

full of win, but rarther you than me. do not like hights unless there is a hand rail or somewhere to clip in.

Morrisey 23-02-2013 00:24

Nice one Paul - that's pretty impressive.

the kwan 23-02-2013 11:06

Cheers Mr Reddood I was clipped on the way up and Stew, normally your cup of tea this kind of thing :)

sneak 21-06-2013 13:48

Absolutly sick! Love it.

Everytime I go over that bridge I feel an overwhelming desire to use the emergency stop button on the train, jump off and start climbing!

Great shots, very well done.

I'd love to give it a go!

Brap


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