I don't think I have ever heard of a transporter bridge and certainly never seen one. Thank you for sharing all of the history of this unique piece of transportation ephemera, Alan.
@@MyNarrowboatVenture That's not really that far from where I live and I never knew about it! Looks like I will have to take a trip to visit it this summer.
What fun this was! I knew only of the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge (which wasn't dismantled and sent to the US. :P) and had no idea about the other ones!
Hi Alan That was VERY interesting and nice to see it still going after all these years, I can just imagine seeing it working with all the workers from the iron works packed in like sardines with there bikes going home after there shift. Cheers
Thank you for this video. I lived not far from this bridge while I was studying in Newport and I regret not taking the opportunity to experience it more closely
Really interesting vlog Alan. Great to see these old engineering relics still serving a purpose. Not sure I could have done the footage from the top,you done really well.
Didn’t even realize such a thing existed but definitely born from a need to move people and materials from one side to the other. Such an amazing feat of engineering in my opinion.
Hi Mary Jane. It's a fantastic feat of engineering. If you do a Google search on the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge, which was later changed to a vertical lift bridge you'll find one closer to home. Cheers
@@MyNarrowboatVenture it’s ironic that you should mention the Duluth bridge as I actually have that bridge on a RU-vid live feed where I can watch the freighters coming and going during shipping season. I had no idea it was an aerial lift bridge prior to the vertical lift though so google will be my friend today. Thank you for the info. Have a great day.
Was thunderstruck, Alan, that the public was allowed access to so much of a working transporter. The heights in open grid work areas seem quite risky. That said, seeing the machinery working was grand. The two engineers surely would be proud of their work. It is an elegant blend of strength, efficiency, and durability. The surrounding ironwork was particularly enchanting. A truly fascinating tour. Thank you!
I think when it was built people were allowed to pay and walk across. It’s quite safe but wouldn’t suit anyone who doesn’t like heights and it’s quite a climb to the top. A magnificent piece of engineering, there are only a few left now and one of those needs restoration x
Man that was so interesting thanks for posting it. You would not get me up the top for that great view. Didn't some TV show years ago do a episode where they sold a bridge like that and moved it overseas? Was it Auf Wiedersehen, Pet? tho they never did remove it.
Hi Alan. Thanks for sharing this vlog. I did not know these bridges existed till now. It moves a lot quicker than I thought it would. Lovely view from the top. Stay safe and well and keep surprising with you different vlogs.
That was one of the best Alan. I've driven by that countless times yet never knew you could actually visit it. Thanks for bringing such an informative vlog to the screen.
Thank-you Alan for sharing that film with us. You're right that is a wonderful structure. I know you love all things mechanical, me too. I know you must be finding it difficult during this lockdown to find things to show us, but believe me, you are doing a great job. All the best. And bye for now. Stephen.
Many thanks Stephen for your appreciation, I have some other projects up my sleeve and I do have a lot of video from trips I've made over the years, which has never been edited. Take care, best regards Alan
I believe the very splendid period hotel on the west side has closed down recently. I crossed this first thing when it opened in the morning, a few years ago when running the coast path. It's an amazing construction.
I stumbled upon this bridge on a visit to a venue close by. It was not working or accessible back then. I stood for ages in wonder. Thankfully there is an info point. It's an amazing sight. Some great if deralict architecture close by too at least back wben I went
Hi Alan, I've lived in Cardiff all of my life which as you probably know is only 10 miles or so away from the Newport bridge and in all of my years I've never seen the bridge in that detail, so thank you for sharing this. Very interesting indeed.. 🍷🍷
Hi Alan great vid it brought back memories from when I lived in Middlesbrough. From 1969 to 1970, I crossed the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge to get to the Haverton Hill Shipyard where I began my apprenticeship as a ships carpenter, fifty years later I'm now retired, but I remember well the journey there and back each working day. In windy weather the gondola was out of action and you had to pay a penny to walk across it, I did it twice back then in howling winds. A bridge too far... A bridge that spans the river steel, blue coated, striding like an insect to the other side. Boxes of metal on rubber wheels transported by silken threads of steel. Watched calm an' fair from above the blue reddened sky, protects, as it stands in its mystery, an' will take you far far beyond the other side.
I’m glad it brought back some early memories for you. Although it wasn’t open when I visited, I was offered the chance to walk across but had to decline, as it would have put me behind on my travels. Thanks for the poem, take care.
Absolutely brilliant, thank you so much for sharing your lovely footage Alan, that was such a treat. We went across the top of the Newport bridge in 2009, went to the Warrington one soon after, but as you say it is quite difficult to get close to. We then arranged to go over the top of the Middlesbrough bridge, but despite staying in a hotel there for two extra nights, the winds never dropped enough to allow us access. We did continue further up country to the Falkirk wheel, so got a wonderful experience in the end. Sadly because of mobility difficulties, going over the top of anything needing access by many stairs is no longer a possibility, which is why I enjoyed your film so much. Big thank you.
Hi Jilly, you've certainly got around a bit. I was in Middlesbrough in 2015 and though it wasn't open at the time, I had the chance to walk over the bridge but didn't have the time to do so, as I was just passing through. I'm glad the video brought back some fond memories for you and am sorry to hear your clambering over things days are no more. All the best, take care, Alan
fun fact 1: The little blue shed halfway along the walkway is in fact a staff toilet Fun fact 2 : Newport Boxing Legend David 'Bomber' Pearce used the stairs to train
I’ve been over the Rensburg bridge in Germany about forty years ago when I served in the British Army , I think there’s a railway line going over the top as well
Alan. Surprised that you said that the Newport Transporter Bridge was in England, Newport is definitely in Wales. Used it once, just to have a go on it, quite an experience. Great and informative vlog.
Hi Alan I stayed in Newport in 2019 but the bridge had closed for winter which was a shame so thanks for the film. This lock down is really pulling I've not dare go to the boat for fear of prosecution so I'm praying it will be OK. I'm having two weeks off putting videos out although I have got two made already for later on and have started a third but all difficult to do with no boating. Look forward to your next live with Pat and Eileen. Take care. Alan.
It’s difficult to find topics isn’t it. I’ve been trawling through film I have, still unedited from years ago, so who knows what I might produce. I’m glad you have some videos ready prepared. Cheers, keep safe.
Hi Alan thanks for sharing Newport transporter bridge has been on my to visit list for a long time really enjoyed seeing the footage as it has rejuvenated my desire to go and see this magnificent structure when things eventually return to a more normal post virus state thanks for sharing 😀
I'm glad you enjoyed it David, we're really lucky that we have this type of engineering left in the UK, it's well worth making the visit when you can. Cheers
@@MyNarrowboatVenture Thanks Alan it was lovely to see and we have so many beautiful historical engineering things to see beautifully crafted and built to last! Roll on better times so we can get out cruising again!!
Hi Alan what an amazing construction. My wife,s family are all in Pembrokeshire and we travel there to visit and holiday about 6 times a year normally and you can see the bridge from the M4, but never ventured. I will now cos I want to have a go on it. Many thanks for the insight, Stay safe, Proper Job
Hi Alan ,my gosh you've been extremely prolific in the last little while. Another fascinating and quite different vlog but with your impeccable style and choice of content. I Wonder what's next. Perhaps a virtual trip to the Kennet and Avon canal to see the Crofton pumping station with those monstrous steam powered beam engines or that gigantic water wheel powered pumping station at Claverton or perhaps a hike on Dartmoor to Ducks or Cranmere Pool or a complete surprise....... .go on surprise us. Thanks Alan take care stay safe .Cheers from Canada
Hi Ralph, be careful what you wish for. I have the impression you may not have watched video No.76, which was filmed in 2009 - I'll say no more other than please take a look. All the best, take care Alan
Super little film. Enjoyed it especially winding room. You mentioned that it was one of three in England. As not to upset the Welsh perhaps the UK would be better!
Hello Alan what an interesting video I visted Newport Monmouthshire a few times when I was a young girl with my parents we had relatives there we had relatives all over wales but I cant remember the bridge the last few days we have had 50 cm of snow take care till next time Anne 🇨🇭
Hi Anne, that's a lot of snow (UK wise) but maybe not for you! I'm glad you enjoyed watching. I suppose it's a little bit out of town, so you may not have been aware of it. All the best Alan
Your a very brave person..those heights would scare me.. This is amazing ive never seen anything like this...Why didn't they just span the river? How large is the platform that carries passengers? Is there only one operating at a time? So many questions..no way to really converse decently...🤔.. Thank you Alan ..very interesting vlog... Bye for now!!😊
Hi Susan, thanks for your interest. The gondola can carry 6 regular size vehicles and passengers of course, and moves back and forth across the river. This type of bridge was chosen, as the tidal nature of the river prevented use of a ferry and it did not interfere with tall-masted ships navigating the river. When it was built, it was serving a steelworks, so there would have been a lot of foot traffic/and bicycles no doubt. Take care
Hi Alan, I was born in Newport and have many memories of the transporter bridge but have not walked over the top. I have not lived in Newport for many years, it was lovely to see your video. Thank you. Take care and stay safe 😀😀
The one at Teesside is out of action...again. Discussions ongoing on what to do with it - including the option of decommissioning and making it into a static exhibit. Well done for spelling Middlesbrough correctly 😁
We have nothing like this here in the USA. Very interesting and enjoyable. The Mackinac Bridge in Michigan is walkable on Labor Day each year and I have done so a couple of times. Check it out if you get a chance. Thanks for the videos.
I don’t think the local population would be too happy about you saying that Newport is in England! Looks like the machinery is still in fairly original condition. Middlesbrough has been modernised with new three phase a.c. Motors replacing the original d.c. ones, though these are still in place, and the control system updated. The last I heard it was out of service due to some serious structural problems; I don’t know if it has been repaired yet. With only five ever built in the UK it is strange that three should have been built so close together as Warrington No. 1, Warrington No. 2 and Runcorn-Widnes. It’s a pity that the latter did not survive. Wi almost had a sixth one, inLondon. A modern high-level footbridge was built in the Royal Docks, I think about twenty years ago. This was designed so that it could later be converted to also function as a Transporter Bridge, but this never happened. The Tees Bridge is the only one I have actually been on. A young lady in a high-vis jacket and hard hat once invited me to climb it, but I have absolutely no head for heights. Hope Warrington No. 2 gets restored before it actually falls down.
That was an unfortunate ooops! But I also said it was in S Wales. This visit was made in 2013. I believe it’s been out of action for a long while and is due to re-open this year after repairs. I was in Middlesbrough some years ago, I think when the bridge had been newly painted blue. It was late one afternoon and wasn’t open but the operatives saw me taking an interest and said I could walk up and over if I wanted to. I declined the offer, as I needed to move on. Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers
Great video on an interesting piece of engineering! With your expertise on engineering in general we could have used some discussion on why? They built the bridge work, so why not build a regular bridge?
Thanks James, the answer to your question is in the decription of the video - This type of bridge was chosen, as the tidal nature of the river prevented use of a ferry and it did not interfere with tall-masted ships navigating the river. Cheers
@@MyNarrowboatVenture Then my questions would be: Why not a drawbridge? Would it be too much more expensive or was traffic volume expected to be too low to justify a real bridge?
@@jamesjorgensen3709 Hi James, this bridge was built to serve an industrial area and mainly the steel works on the other side of the river from the town. It would have transported workers, ie pedestrians and their bicycles across in the early days. As you suggest, the overall use would have been too low for such a grand bridge and it wouldn't have been seen by many.
I always try to learn something new every day, so thank you for helping me achieve that aim before breakfast. I never knew of the existence of these three bridges. I hate to criticise your videos but there is one small point that needs to be said. On two occasions in this video you mention that the Newport bridge is one of only three in England, but I think you will find that this is in Wales, which is definitely not England. Sorry to be pedantic!
Great Vlog as always Alan! One thing popped up in my mind immediately though: What's the reasoning for building a transporter bridge? I mean, looking at it I'd say that a normal bridge ... just had a thought: Ar they a precursor to swingbridges, such as the Tower Bridge in London, or a cheaper variant in places where a bridge is necessary, though not for large traffic amounts, but in the way of large ships?
Hi Christian, many thanks. This type of bridge was chosen, as the tidal nature of the river prevented use of a ferry and it did not interfere with tall-masted ships navigating the river. Tower Bridge is actually a bascule bridge. Cheers
Hi Cristian you must also remember that the bridge was also built to transport the workers across to the iron works,so you would have Hundreds of workers using it all day and every day.Cheers
An unusual concept, I don't think anything like this exists in the U.S. Do they charge a toll to cross these bridges and is there room for only one vehicle? Thanks for this one Alan ;)
The charge to cross is only a few pounds, depending on whether you’re a child, adult or vehicle. I think it can take 9 vehicles obviously dependent on size. Check out the Aerial Lift Bridge, Duluth, Minnesota. That’s fascinating, as it was converted to a lift bridge. Cheers
Great video !!!! Makes me want to make a model. You say "in England" several times whereas your title says South Wales, YOUR welsh viewers will be most upset!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Penney. This type of bridge was chosen, as the tidal nature of the river prevented use of a ferry and it did not interfere with tall-masted ships navigating the river. It's only a few pounds to cross depending on whether you're an adult or child, and whether it's a single or return trip.
@@penneynoss9552 I can understand that but you don't have to walk across, you can travel on the Gondola just for the ride. There is a small visitor centre there.
Interesting, but at 0:59s there is a pretty bad error. Newport is most certainly NOT in England, Alan. :). Shame though re the Transporter Bridge, as it is currently not operational. I've been across the top many times and the view is excellent, though not for the feint hearted!
No probs Alan you may be interested to know that it was announced today on Wales news that the National Lottery is giving the bridge £9M to help to its restoration great news
@@brianrees3697 Thanks Brian, I read about that in an email from the Museums Association, which also had a picture of the new look visitor centre. Cheers
