The amazing Transporter Bridge at Newport June 2015
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- Опубликовано: 3 окт 2024
- The remarkable Newport Transporter Bridge is one of only six operational transporter bridges left world wide from a total of twenty constructed. It crosses the River Usk in Newport, South East Wales. The bridge is the lowest crossing on the River Usk and is a Grade I listed structure.
After passing it many times over the years, I had the opportunity to travel on this amazing piece of engineering on the 20/06/2015, and would like to thank Tim and all the staff on duty for making this such a memorable visit.
I remember going across the river on this wonderful transporter bridge as a child some 60 years ago. I loved it but Mum was quite nervous!
Hello Jill, it's something to experience once, as it's a rare thing to experience. Once done, you'll never forget it for sure. Thanks for watching.
Me too and I was always scared and hid at the back of the carriage.....
I have only ever seen the Transporter Bridges at Newport and Middlesbrough from a distance so it is great to see this detailed video you have produced. Thanks for sharing it with us Bob. Regards, Jeff.
bobnweaver My pleasure Jeff, i've been meaning to do this for over forty years...got there in the end...Regards...Bob
Do make the effort to visit if you get the chance. It's currently closed for a refurb but when it reopens will have a great new visitor centre. The climb over the top is an exhilarating experience, then you can come back on the moving platform, or gondola, as it is also known.
All the times I've seen this in the distance coming back to the Welsh valleys from England, I never got close enough to see how it actually works. Cool video. Cheers mate, I always wondered how this thing worked. Now I know. My missus' parents and my missus been across it loads, but I've never had the chance. Now I really want to have a go, and maybe walk across the top. Nicely shot. Looks well cool
It's an amazing experience and one you should try before it's closed...walking across the top is only allowed when it's not too windy.
Impressive, great display of the bridge in operation.
***** Thanks very much, and greatly appreciated...Bob
So cool. Would love to see a bridge like this in person.
It's an experience you'll never forget Theresa, well worth the visit if you're ever down this way.
I have also passed this Bridge many times in the past and often wondered what it would be like to go on it.. Well done Bob...You have done a superb job of Filming this.
I echo Ken's comments about the editing. I bet Tommi had a great time as Captain too. Best wishes...Steve.~
***** As a foot passenger Steve it's only £1.50 return....great value for money...Tommi had a great time as temporary Captain as you can imagine...Best wishes...Bob
What a lovely looking engineering structure, beautiful!
I do think its so nice to see things like this still working and looking good today in 2015 as back in the day when they were first commissioned. Well captured Bob, lets hope it continues to earn its living, long may she continue to work. :-)
Bevoin1970 Thanks Paul, I've passed it many times over the years, and always wanted to travel on it...now I have, and it was wonderful...Regards...Bob
A nice piece of filming, as usual, Bob.
I was raised in South Wales, and travelled on this bridge in the summer of 1963, on a cycling holiday to Devon and Cornwall. I chose it in preference to the noisy A48, and because the roads nearest the coast were the least hilly. One memory is that, getting from the bridge to Magor (a few miles further east) was a bit complicated and involved a lot of zig-zagging through industrial areas. Since then I've only seen the bridge from the train. I'm glad it's still going.
Thanks Martin, this was my first opportunity to use it despite meaning to do it for years...an unique experience for sure ....Bob
What an amazing piece of history,Bob, and a tribute to heritage engineering. I'm surprised the local authority haven't tried to close it down
Mike
rab4472 It was closed for several years, and was taken over my a group of enthusiasts....it's a Grade 1 listed building, so should survive for a few more years Mike....Best wishes...Bob
@@robmasterman I could sit and watch this for hours. Never been on it but would love to. Amazing engineering. How many cars can it carry or weight limit
My dad comes from the Newport area and whenever we went to see my grandparents we often went over the bridge when we could, i.e when it was operational. Until quite recently I thought there was only ever two bridges made Newport and Middlesbrough but then I saw a video about the ones in Widnes and Warrington and mentioned some of the others built around the world
They are very interesting structures Andy, and as you say only a few survivors throughout the World.
Great video, Bob. I haven't been on that Bridge since I was a little kid- so far back in time that I cannot even remember why we were there! It looks very well preserved so I hope it continues in operation for many years to come.....Mervyn
Mervyn Partin It's an iconic structure in Newport Mervyn....and in excellent condition as it's a Grade 1 listed building..Thanks as always...Bob
Hi Bob
I was born a couple of hundred yards from the Tranny ( Transporter Bridge). On the far side when the tide was low we used to catch the odd salmon trapped in the rubbish there. The old guys on the bridge would,nt let us cross with them as we were in reality poaching, so we used to climb up underneath and sit on the cross wires under the gondola then jump off when we reached the other side and run home with the salmon we would be carrying, wash them off in the back yard, cut them up into cutlets and sell them around the local houses, we were about age ten/eleven and younger, how we never fell off and drowned god knows, but we would swim in that river and the rise as measured on the Sill at Newport Locks would reach 14 metres plus on a big spring tide. 2nd highest and fastest in the world.
Funny I still live quite close but never thought of making a video of it, you,ve done a really nice job. Happy Days
Best
Terry
Isn't it funny Terry how these happy childhood memories stay with us throughout our lives....Great story, and thanks for sharing it...Regards...Bob
I made one of these out of Meccano when I was a lad. I had no idea that the full sized version was still going and was quite close to where I now live. Nice video.
Rob Catt Those were the days eh Rob....Thanks as always for your support...Bob
Amazing piece of Engineering the Bridge Bob , only ever seen the one at Middlesborough ...very well portrayed ...Dave
***** Thanks Dave, I understand the one in Middlesborough is not operational at the moment.....I just had to ride across it yesterday with my Grandson...he was made a Captain for the return run , wore a special hat and rang the bell to start us off...he was thrilled!...Bob
Cool
Robert Masterman Good one for Tommy Bob..Captain Tommy , not sure about Middlesborough been a while since I was up there ...Dave
***** The Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge has, I believe, recently been completely renovated and should be fit for another century or so. (Last went on it some years back and it needed doing then!)
There is also one at the Spanish port of Bilbao.
When I first left school, I was on a course at the Newport Skill Centre and my father would give me a lift to work every day. We always went via the bridge, it was a quicker route. We had to queue up every morning and maybe wait for it to traverse the river several times before we could get on. There was also alot of pedestrian traffic, it was very popular. You had Monsanto and Orb works (Lysats) the East side of the river and a lot of their workers used it. It was open much earlier in the mornings then for the shift workers, l would use it at about 8 in the morning. That was back in 1982/83.
Cheers, Rich.
How wonderful to say that you were a regular user of this rare Bridge back then Rich, so thanks for sharing your experiences....Regards....Bob
an amazing piece of machineryt. I had never seen or heard of this type of bridge
Tommy w There are only six in the World Tommy, so it was a real treat to go across on it.....Best wishes from Wales...Bob
Fascinating. I have never seen anything like it. I assume it is near the sea, therefor low and high tides required they build this magnificent machine.
Lance Boil Thanks Lance, this River experiences one of the highest tide variations in the World...hence the design of this crossing Bridge...Bob
That's an amazing bridge. We have been passing it a few times and have just never been on the bridge. One day we will. Thanks for posting this superb video. C&A
EMuksteam Thanks both, you can even climb up to the top and walk across it if conditions allow.....Go on C you know you want to...Bob
What an interesting video Bob, excellent. Marvellous piece of engineering that bridge is. Great filming.....
JPMiller14 Thanks Justin, I've wanted to do this since the early 70's and finally got the chance......Bob
I've driven past this many times in my lorry when i'm on the South Wales run. Would love to cross on it. Maby one day.
It's well worth doing Mark, don't leave it too long, as it may cease to be available.
Can't remember how many times I've been over the Transporter bridge. The best thing to do is to walk over the top of the bridge, which you do not often get the chance to do! It's surprising how much the bridge moves when the gondola is moving!
Tom Branchline I was offered Tom, but at my age, I'd need some Oxygen half way up those steps...a wonderful thing never the less....Bob
Congratulations, Bob. Very ingenious construction from 1906. This is the first time I see this. Great reportage and congratulations for video editing. Diolch unwaith eto.
Philippe
Philbru Production Merci Philippe, je l'ai voulu à la vidéo ce merveilleux pont pendant de nombreuses années, et enfin eu l'occasion de le faire récemment ..... Pob hwyl ... Bob
Excellent video Bob, great to see this fine piece of engineering close up. Funnily enough it was featured on last nights Antiques Roadshow but not with the detailed coverage of your film.
acw71000 Thanks Austin, funny enough Di and I were watching it as well, and saying how strange it was as I had only just uploaded mine. This bridge was also featured in the film Tiger Bay as part as the opening scenes, despite the film being based on the notorious Tiger Bay in Cardiff....Bob
Well edited Robert, only managed to see this and the Middlesborough bridges from the cab of my lorry when visiting near-by chemical works, had a day at Great Central Railway for the model exhibition, a pair of 9F's, 2MT + 101 dmu
vince halls Thanks Vince, I watched a video of the GCR's Model Exhibition earlier today...it was very impressive...Bob
A very interesting video Bob and well done for capturing and sharing it so well! I liked the way, at about 2.50 and 5.00 you appeared to show yourself to be on the gondola and the shore simultaneously, very skillful editing there! Best wishes. Ken
Ken Browne Thanks ken, and well done for understanding what I was trying to achieve at the editing stage...Best wishes..Bob
very interesting and built so many years ago and still working.
***** Like many things back then Wayne, built to last and it has....Bob
We have passed the Transport bridge many Times while crossing the bridge over the river wye with Chepstow castle near by on the way to Gloucester
It's an amazing structure Brian, and well worth a ride if you are to do so. Thanks very much for your comment...Bob
love the look of the gondola on this bridge im up near Middlesbrough and use the transporter bridge up hear think i need to come to see this 1
They are as you know, very rare...so if you're interested then a visit to Wales, will be just up your street....Regards....Bob
Now that's some expensive engineering. It's rather like an airborne ferry isn't it. I like the little "wheelhouse". I believe there''s one over the Kiel Canal in Germany.
AndreiTupolev There are three in the UK Andrei of which two including this one are operational...I bow to your superior knowledge regarding the one in Germany...Bob
Amazing bit of kit Bob. Looks in such good condition but I bet it's a bit weird "flying" across the river. Fascinating shots. Chris
khankadet It certainly is Chris, the journey across is surprisingly fast and very smooth...a wonderful experience....Bob
Gracias por el hermoso video del transbordador Newport. Si me permites lo voy a compartir en mi blog de los 8 transbordadores que quedan en pie en el mundo. Uno de ellos el Nicolás Avellaneda en Argentina (único en América). Necesitaba un buen video de Newport y lo conseguí. Gracias !!
Hola Emma, me alegro de que utilices este video mío siempre que se me acredite. Gracias por sus amables comentarios también ... Los mejores deseos de Gales ... Bob
Nice one Bob, interesting to note the differences between Newport and our one here in M'bro. The stone abutments and ornate operator's cab are much nicer than the more utilitarian version we have! Is the river still used for shipping? We always have to give one long blast on ship's whistle when approaching to alert operator, there have have several near-misses over the years between ships and the platform
struck2soon There are still a few ships that come up the River, but not many these days...I must look for uploads of your Bridge, as I've only just become aware that it's back in operation....Many thanks for your comments...Bob
To be honest Bob, the one in M'bro has never really been out of service except for repairs. We still pilot several ships a week to berths upriver of the bridge, and all the port's dredgers are berthed just upriver of it. All the captains I talk to about it always mention Newport, Bilbao and Kiel Canal as being other places they have seen such bridges.
Fascinating, and thanks again for taking the trouble to provide this informative information...Bob
If you look over the road from the entrance of the bridge there is a row of 7 houses called watch House parade I used to live there when thay re opened the bridge 25 odd years ago . There is a wind brake wall separating the houses from the road now
How wonderful Kelt, this Bridge is an iconic structure that will always be associate with Newport.
@@robmasterman Try liveing on watch house parade with the anchor blocks behind your house and massive spot lights beaming in your bedroom. Every night
It's certainly an amazing piece of engineering, Bob but for me it was the well thought out shots and skilful editing that made this video really special. You also captured all the little details from the staff as they went about their duties. Just one question though; do they play that music for each crossing or do they change it occasionally? :) Kind regards Frank.
TheDoodyman What are you like Frank..always a witty comment....great stuff. It was difficult finding a suitable music track for this piece. Your kindness is touching, and makes producing these non-railway videos worthwhile...Best wishes...Bob
I remember my parents taking me and my brother across the bridge when we were kids, I cried because I was afriad the bridge would give way and plunge us all into the Usk. I went back there a few years ago with some friends and crossed the bridge and it wasn't so bad second time round.
It's an experience that we should all try once in a lifetime James, it's good that you enjoyed it the second time around.
No mention of bill collier? The man, the legend...
I'm sorry Rachel, I'm not aware of Bill Collier as I was just visiting the Bridge on that day....Bob
Wonderful piece of engineering,is it used a lot Bob?
wooltman It is during it's open hours Chris which are 10am - 5pm, Wednesday to Sunday, 1 April - 27 September 2015...Bob
I came here after watching Ally Law lol.
Once seen, never forgotten....Thanks very much.
And me. Lol. Is this the one he climbed
February 2023. The bridge is closed due to safety concerns. The Middlesbrough council website says discussions are ongoing. Referb it at a cost of about £10 million or demolish at a cost of around £7.5 million.
How sad Dave, there will be nothing left for those of us of a certain age to remember.
@@robmasterman I agree. I have visited the bridge on a number of occasions. Been over on the last & previous gondolas. A couple of times having to wait for ships to pass before crossing.
WOW
대단히 감사합니다
Me too
Fred Dibnah visited here :D
Septex He was fascinated by anything like this, shame he's no longer with us, he was a one off...Bob
@@robmasterman A great mate and a one off thats for sure. I do miss my trips to Bolton
@@DOCTORDROTT Did you know Fred then.
@@davidm3maniac201 yes, very well
Why does the steelwork have to be so high
This bridge was built when you still had sailing ships, and they had to make sure they could safely pass under the bridge Andrew.
Thanks good answer
Not really a bridge as such but is really a suspended ferry & was built because the water is too shallow for a conventional ferry.
Interesting point of view, and thanks for that.
Want episode ?
?
You can walk up and across the top and get a certificate for doing so
My Grandson has a Certificate for crossing on the Bridge Eve, It was too late to go over the Top on the day of our visit, I would love to have done it though.
와 이게 진짜 있네
고맙습니다, 당신이 그것을 즐기게되어 기쁩니다.
Casnewydd Bont Transbordyr
Dyna hi Erik... darn hyfryd o beirianneg .... Dymuniadau gorau ... Bob
Who came from Ally’s video?
Sorry but I don't understand your comment.
@@robmasterman Ally law who does urbex climbed this bridge and made a video for you tube. He also climbed cranes and overnight challenges. Look up ally law you will see what I mean. He has a big following but I don't think you will enjoy it. He climbed this or another transport bridge. David
Yes I did. Was it this bridge or another one
나는 법규를 보았다
웨일즈의 인사말 인 제 비디오를 시청 해 주셔서 감사합니다.
와다리하나건너는데시간검나걸리네
그것은 매우 낡았 고 강 반대편에 권선 장치를 사용하여 다리를 건너십시오.
@@robmasterman 다리의 간심있는사람인가