The Network Rail archiveis the custodian of a vast collection of historic documents and plans relating to today’s railway infrastructure.
它代表了19世纪到现在的铁路最重要的结构，工程师和创新的发展。
Each month we will delve into the archive to shine a light on the development of our network through the ages.
April: the Royal Albert Bridge
Ten years ago, we gave one ofIsambard Kingdom Brunel’s most famous structures a new lease of life.
Its revamp came after the Royal Albert Bridge – which crosses the River Tamar between Plymouth and Saltash, Cornwall – had spent 150 years carrying almost a billion tonnes of rail traffic.
We refurbished the bridge’s two main spans and, three years earlier, had unveiled Brunel’s name on the bridge – which had remained hidden for decades – to celebrate the bicentenary of Brunel’s birth.
Ian Frostick, a route civil engineer at Network Rail, said at the time: “The 150 years anniversary is a testament to Brunel’s achievements and to the industry’s commitment to this vital rail link.
“It is a complex job that requires careful consideration, particularly on safety, operations and heritage issues…”
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- 这座桥覆盖于30种涂料;研究发现原始颜色可能是棕色。
- It was first repainted grey in 1911. Its original colour was never recorded, leaving a gap in the history books.
- The Royal Albert Bridge was completed in 1859 and serves as a vital rail link to and from Cornwall.
- 该桥必须支撑在水位上方80英尺，巨大的圆筒漂浮在岩石上沉入并沉入岩石上。这座桥的两个455英尺的主要跨度建在岸上，漂浮到位，然后每天起床几英尺，直到他们达到正确的水平。
From the archive: the Royal Border Bridge
From the archive: Glasgow Queen Street
From the archive: London Charing Cross
Step back in time… and inside Britain's busiest signal box
Network Rail graduates step into history
Preserving railway history: five things saved by Network Rail