I read a very detailed book of the building of the bridge last year. Fascinating engineer Brunel. The lifting of the two main sections was pure genius for its day. Sadly back then the project was on a shoestring and the first contractor went bust. I think that was also why it is a single track section of the railway,but with forethought and concern for the future the speed limit was set at 15mph and remains so today to protect the structure.
Auto cycle was basically a old fashioned pushbike with a very small 2 stroke petrol engine bolted on, for extra assistance. They can sometimes still be seen at steam rallys , a rare thing these days.
I attended as an eleven year old, the centenary celebrations throughout the year of 1959 held regards the Royal Albert bridge. I can remember some of the staggering stats, like the centre columb having to go 90Ft below mean river level, so that the foundations sat on bedrock. Thank you for your fabulous documented video. Brill!
The joining of Cornwall and Devon with the Bridge must have been a life changer in its time. It was a marvellous feat of engineering- when the Road Bridge was opened in1961 we were one of the first to cross over it. A really enjoyable watch - thank you for another great video.
Thank you for the video. I've been across, but have never stopped in Saltash. Interestingly the Cornish do have a distinct genetic origin from the English and since 2014 have been recognised as a national ethnic minority. Love your videos.
Interesting. Been over that bridge many times, but never knew what or the history of what was below. Brunel was truly one of the greatest Britain's our history.
An Auto-cycle is an early form of moped. Moped engines are under 50cc, an auto-cycle engine could be larger, typically 98cc e.g New Hudson or in some cases smaller e.g. the BSA winged wheel. Both usually had pedals. Auto-cycles were popular after the war when cheap transport was needed. The district nurse was a typical rider. I do enjoy your videos, many thanks.
Work as a gardener , one of my customers is bang there under the bridge. It's flipping steep, strangely having lived in Losty for years you can tell the different sound of Imerys trains, nice vid me lovelys x , Bizarre, the skate park at Saltmill was about the same price although a few years later!
When in Cornwall last year, we caught the train from Penzance to Saltash to take some railway photos £15 each and you could spend all day on the trains and stop off at any station , great value and fun.
We spent many happy times waiting for the ferry at Saltash eating the pasties mum had made and the on to Dingles to go shopping for the next school term we always thought the ferry was a great thrill
I remember visiting Plymouth as a child and loved Dingles, Debenhams, C&A, and BHS. And when the children were young, the Disney shop was a must! Gosh how it’s all changed! Sarah :)
Will be crossing the bridge in two weeks time on my way to porthcurno 🥰 I’ve not been down for two yrs and I have missed it ! I remember meeting you both when I stayed at the Lighthouse! Since then I am half the woman I was if ya know what I mean! Lol my hips replaced and I can walk again yayyy ! ❤
We always cross over without stopping so this was really interesting especially about how the locals missed the ferry that had been running for 700 years, the end of an era. Now I know more about the bridge I’m looking forward to the next time I’m crossing over! Thanks so much Sarah and Andrew.😁
Quite a history there. Those old boards with the toll charges on, I always find fascinating. It's surprising how many still exist in olden towns. Apart from the bridge and the history, what else is there for tourists?
Re: your auto-cycle question. It was a motor-assisted bicycle, from memory usually known at the time as a moped. It had to have an engine capacity of less than 50cc. The term auto-cycle seems to have a different definition these days as a three-wheeled car. Thanks for another fascinating vlog.
Auto cycles were the forerunner of the Moped , in the style of a ordinary bicycle with a small petrol motor to assist, manufactured by firms such a Raleigh , they were very popular from the 1920s onwards to the 60 s
Gave up on Cornwall when car parking charges exceeded cost of hotel. The greed was unbelievable. Even got a parking ticket while taking cases out of car.
A Magnificent feat of engineering, and a great piece of Cornish history, your video reminded me of standing beneath the magnificent ‘Forth Bridge’ many years ago, I was waiting for Andrews retort regarding the small piece of stone falling through the roof of the unfortunate family’s bathroom, thankfully the “Train services were not delayed” 😂 you couldn’t make this up could you 😅 Excellent video full of interesting content and the usual ‘Andrew humour’ that makes my day:) 🥰🥀🤗 ps. Makes me wonder what the headlines would be if it was a 6ft. Boulder that had flattened the bathroom, “There will be a short delay while the damage is assessed” 😊
Notice the spelling of laborious @ 3:31. Although mid 19th century some English writers used the now American spelling of such words. We did the industrial revolution at school in the mid 70's in Kent so Brunel featured quite a bit.
Brilliant, I cross it often and really appreciate it a whole lot more. Really interesting and going to stop for a walk through Saltash. Thank you for the enjoyable work you do for us, it’s fascinating. Xoxox
Another Friday treat! Brunel's rail bridge was an amazing feat of engineering...to have lasted so long. Love all the meticulously researched historical details you uncovered...really brings the video and the local social dynamics of that stretch of the river to life. Shall be crossing the Tamar (on the 1961 road bridge) very soon for a welcome Autumn break ~ yay! Thanks for an entertaining & informative watch x
Hi Sarah and Andrew. Really interesting about the bridge I been over it several times by train and the view is amazing from the window. I did learn about ABIT of the bridge in school as in History we studied canals which Brunnel was part of to .I know when I half way across the bridge I am in Cornwall and I Have only just over an hour left on the train.
An auto cycle is crossed between a motor bike and a bicycle. It has an engine and one starts pedalling to start it off. I have seen them years ago. They are not around anymore.
Clifton was completed by a different engineer after his death, and I read that the steel ties intended for Clifton, were used in The Royal Albert Bridge. So some claim Clifton others Royal Albert, but I guess it depends on your point of view! Sarah :)
Good day Sahra and Andrew. You are always saying that you want feedback to your videos...so here is one from me and I´m looking forward to your answer. You use Patreon to help fund your channel...but what if older viewers ..and I´m sure that there are many..... don´t have enough money left over from their pension or viewers from abroad like me that are not able to transfer money...what do these people do ?....stay well and stay safe.
Thanks for your comment. It’s a constant challenge to keep our channel running without impacting on our own household budget too much. Our income is low. Unfortunately every video has an element of cost involved. Ad revenue is minimal; your view will give us somewhere between 1/3 and 1/2 US cent, depending how long you watched. That equates to about 1/4p sterling, depending on the exchange rate. We only hope to cover the cost of petrol and parking. That’s still a lot of 1/4p needed, just to meet our costs. We give our time, and other costs like technology and better broadband for free. Patrons and donations keep the channel going. We feel that if people are paying monthly to help us, we want to show our appreciation by making bonus content for them. We don’t want them to feel taken for granted. If viewers are unable to help financially, they still have a video for free on RU-vid, most Fridays, and hopefully are thankful we have patrons that can help. I know that Patreon is an international platform, and gives a list of currencies accepted. Patreon also allows one-off payments to watch specific videos giving you complete choice, and no monthly costs. Sarah :)
I'm Cornish too, but there is no border with England given Cornwall is in England. Not sure why you aren't talking about the only fact i.e. that it is the border with Devon
I'm cornish too, cornwall has a border the tamar, it always has been and always will be. We are a celtic nation with our own language and identity and true cornish like me strive to keep that identity including all paperwork that asks for your origin.
@@adrianbew9641 I'm not Cornish but I totally agree. Once across the Tamar in Saltash, it isj ust like entering a distinctly different country, and refreshingly so!
Hi Sarah & Andrew, yet another good video. I made a point of crossing the road bridge back in 2020 and went on to visit Brunel's SS Great Britain and Clifton Suspension Bridge. Here in the UK an Autocycle was a bicycle with a small engine fitted, undoubtedly petrol. I remember these from my early youth as below motorcycles and mopeds in the hierarchy of road users. You can see more detail at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorized_bicycle. The three-wheeled-car interpretation refers to a registration classification in the US for some three wheeled vehicles; with a sit-in cockpit and steering wheel.
