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Crossing the Iron Bridge
The swing bridge where now stands
"The New Bridge" Spike Island 1950's.
The swing bridge is an adventure playground for these children at Spike Island, 1955.
Having completed its shunting in the sidings 78035 crosses the swing bridge back towards Widnes Dock Junction. The two signal box style levers just visible to the left were for controlling the bridge. The new crossing and the transporter bridge are both visible in the background as are numerous wagons in the sidings. 1962.
A Steam train passes over the Sankey
Canal from Spike Island, c1930's.
(AI Generated video)
The remains of the swing bridge which carried the railway onto Spike Island, across the Sankey Canal. The capstan in the foreground, by which the bridge was turned, bore the casting, HAIGH IRON WORKS 1832. Picture taken in the late 1950's.
A map showing the Iron/Swing Bridge,
Spike Island, 1890.
The directors of the St. Helens Railway, accompanied by their engineer, paid a visit of inspection to the works of the railway and dock, now well in hand, and ordered the construction of two “swivel” bridges over the Sankey Canal, near Widnes Wharf and a similar bridge over the canal at Pocket Nook, St. Helens. This seems to be the first mention of a swivel or turning bridge in connection with railways, 1831.
All that remains of the original Iron Bridge turntable.
Gossages Tallow Mill, Sankey Canal, 1920's
An advertisement from the Warrington Guardian.
dated Saturday, July, 29th, 1865.
For Sale, The Commercial Inn & Schoolhouse, 1859.
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Widnes dock, Dame-School, 1839-1862.
Bower's Brook
Bower's Brook 1950's & present day.
Right. The open Brook as it passes the former site of Frederic Muspratt's, Wood End Works. At this part the Brook runs parallel to the “New Cut," which is to be seen at the extreme right of the picture.
Left. All that remains of the former Bower's Brook Pool, the exit culvert of Bower's Brook into the Mersey.
This trout stream of pre-industrial Widnes has served for a century as the Cloaca Maxima, the chief chemical sewer of the Canal Region of the Widnes Chemical Industry.
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