WHR
Plas-y-nant Bridge
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V3.1 updated 3/7/03
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Plas-y-nant Bridge UB64
Changes brought about by economy measures have seen the retention of both the Cae Hywel and Plas-y-nant girders with alterations to the abutments to take the greater loadings imposed by a double headed Garratt hauled train.
The bridge itself is a standard NWNGR bowstring girder and has been left in place as a local resident was using it and marked the section to OB64 as 'Private'. It is currently planked for footpath access only from Plasynant Halt. It was originally intended to construct a new bridge and the existing bridge girders were to be disposed.
A former WW2 machine gun mount, similar to that in the Aberglaslyn Pass, is present at the north end of the bridge. At Plas-y-nant, the north abutment has been repaired with local rock facings. However, the south abutment included a short section of overflow channel. The pier had been damaged by tree roots. The bridge was propped up on jacks either end and the pier and south abutment demolished.
A large foundation slab has been cast in situ roughly 4m wide by 5m long with a slight skew. The foundation was completed w/e 10/11/02 but was subsequently flooded. The central pier and the abutments were cast by w/e 17/11/02. A short re-inforced concrete deck spans the overflow channel. These structures will have their white concrete clad with local random stone.
This southerly view (12/7/02) shows the situation at the same viewpoint as the above image after a few weeks work. The concrete mounting for the Blacker Bombard mortar launcher is now clearly visible and will be removed as it is blocking the trackbed. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright WHR, courtesy Jan Woods. Image post processed with iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology and displayed at 96dpi.
This southerly view (9/8/02) shows the bridge now propped on cross girders either end supported by jacks on steel plates placed in the river bed. The mortar launcher was removed the previous day. Both abutments and the piers of the overflow channels need attention to masonry. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Image taken on Samsung Digimax 230 digital camera using iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology and displayed at 96dpi.
This southerly view (12/9/02) from the main road at Pont Cerrig-y-rhyd shows the sandbagged northern abutment. The abutment is being excavated down to a firm base and built up again possibly in reinforced concrete with local stone facing. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright WHLR, courtesy Jan Woods. Image post processed using iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology and displayed at 96dpi.
This westerly view (30/10/02) shows the limit of ballast adjacent to the rebuilt northern abutment. The white concrete foundation can be seen under the water. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Image taken using Samsung Digimax230 digital camera and post processed with iPhoto Plus4. Image displayed at 96dpi.
This westerly view (30/11/02) shows formwork for the re-inforced concrete ballast retaining upstands had been cast the day before on the north abutment. A concrete lintel had been cast previously on the repaired local stone abutment Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B W Hughes taken on a Hitachi D8 digital camcorder VM-D865LE 230. Image post processed using iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology and displayed at 96dpi.
This southerly view (26/1/03) shows the work on the abutments complete except for a little cladding work on the north lintel. Scaffolding has been fitted to the girders to allow access to place the new crossbeams and paint the structure. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B W Hughes. Image taken on Samsung Digimax230 digital camera using iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology. Image displayed at 96dpi.
This southerly view (23/2/03) shows the work on the structure of UB64 is nearing completion. The four steel waybeams can be seen just past the concrete lintel. The local stone wall will probably be built up to hide the concrete and retain the ballast on the north approach to the bridge. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B W Hughes. Image taken on Samsung Digimax230 digital camera using iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology. Image displayed at 96dpi.
This southerly view (30/3/03) shows the work on the north abutment has been completed. Painting with the second undercoat on the bridge girders was being completed on this date. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B W Hughes. Image taken on Samsung Digimax230 digital camera using iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology. Image displayed at 96dpi.
This southerly view (17/4/03) shows track reaching the bridge at Plas-y-nant from the north. These lengths are not finished to the correct alignment. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B W Hughes. Image taken on Samsung Digimax230 digital camera using iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology. Image displayed at 96dpi.
This southerly view (17/4/03) shows tracklaying being completed over the Plas-y-nant bridge. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B W Hughes. Image taken on Samsung Digimax230 digital camera using iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology. Image displayed at 96dpi.
This westerly view (23/12/02) shows the completed north lintel and ballast retaining upstand on the north abutment. The side of the concrete facing the road will be clad in local stone. Tie rods can be seen inserted into the sides of the abutment. Some have already been inserted into the face below the bridge and have their load spreading plates attached. This should firm up the north abutment which has no concrete core, unlike the totally rebuilt south abutment. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B W Hughes. Image taken on Samsung Digimax230 digital camera using iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology. Image displayed at 96dpi.
This southerly archive view shows the Plas-y-nant bowstring bridge (UB64). A footpath has been constructed by a local resident across the bridge with the WHR's permission. The original curved way beams are still visible, though in a poor state. Unlike the other two bowstring bridges, the track on Plas-y-nant bridge has a slight curve, made possible by the wide spacing of the main bridge girders. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Slide scan technology utilised is Olympus ES10 & iPhoto Plus4. Slide scanned at 200dpi.
This southerly view (31/12/02) shows the west side of the Plas-y-nant bridge. In January, the cross members will be removed and replaced one at a time with new steelwork provided by a local steel fabricator. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B W Hughes. Image taken on Samsung Digimax230 digital camera using iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology. Image displayed at 96dpi.
This southerly view (17/4/03) shows the completion of temporary tracklaying across the bridge to move rail from Plas-y-nant rail stack to complete the two gaps at Tros-y-gol as seen from the new footbridge on the west side. The curve in the footpath to the right shows that the track will continue to curve to the right as it leaves the bridge. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B W Hughes. Image taken on Samsung Digimax230 digital camera using iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology. Image displayed at 96dpi.
This northerly archive view from the A4085 shows the bowstring bridge UB64 at Plas-y-nant and the trackbed north of there on a ledge above the river. The railway is on the west side of the river from this point to Salem bridge. A local resident has marked the trackbed as 'Private' from OB62 to Plasynant. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Slide scan technology utilised is Olympus ES10 & iPhoto Plus4. Slide scanned at 200dpi.
This northerly view (12/9/02) shows the tight left bend in the river as it emerges from the bridge. At this point railway, river and road fit into the narrow Gwyrfai Gorge. The pump was keeping the north abutment dry behind a sandbag wall. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright WHLR, courtesy Jan Woods. Image post processed using iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology and displayed at 96dpi.
This westerly view (30/10/02) shows the construction of the formwork for the metre thick foundation slab under the overflow channel. This was cast in the following week. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Image taken using Samsung Digimax230 digital camera and post processed with iPhoto Plus4. Image displayed at 96dpi.
This westerly view (30/10/02) shows the formwork for the foundation slab under Plas-y-nant bridge overflow channel. A new pier was cast to support the south end of the main girders by mid-November. The south abutment was also cast by the same time. It is probable that a short re-inforced concrete span will be cast over the flood channel (left). Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Image taken using Samsung Digimax230 digital camera and post processed with iPhoto Plus4. Image displayed at 96dpi.
This westerly view (30/11/02) shows the recently completed deck of UB64. Re-inforced concrete ballast retaining upstands had been cast the day before. The new deck spans the overflow channel. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B W Hughes taken on a Hitachi D8 digital camcorder VM-D865LE 230. Image post processed using iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology and displayed at 96dpi.
By 15/12/02, contractor Colin Jones (Rock Engineering) of Porthmadog, had completed the cladding of the pier and the south abutment with local stone. A cosmetic pier was added between the main span pier and the south abutment. This non load bearing structure leaves spillway channels about 1m wide. It will permit the addition of local stone lintels which will be built up to mask the sides of the concrete upstands.
This westerly view (23/12/02) shows the addition of a non load bearing cosmetic pier built from local stone beneath the overflow channel span, leaving two flood channels about a metre wide. The cladding of the concrete has provided a ledge on which a local stone lintel can be mounted. This will be extended upwards to hide the concrete face of the ballast retaining upstand. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B W Hughes. Image taken on Samsung Digimax230 digital camera using iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology. Image displayed at 96dpi.
This westerly view (16/2/03) shows the completed local stone cladding at Plas-y-nant bridge. This work was finished in mid-January. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B W Hughes taken on Samsung Digimax 230 digital camera. Image post processed using iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology and displayed at 96dpi.
This northerly view (26/1/03) shows the work on the south abutments complete with tidy cladding work on the flood channel lintel (left). Scaffolding has been fitted to the girders to allow access to place the new crossbeams and paint the structure. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B W Hughes. Image taken on Samsung Digimax230 digital camera using iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology. Image displayed at 96dpi.
This northerly view (30/10/02) shows excavation for the basement slab for the new southern abutment of Plas-y-nant bridge. The slab was cast a week later but flooded before the central pier and the land pier could be added. These were completed by mid November. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B.W.Hughes. Image taken using Samsung Digimax230 digital camera and post processed with iPhoto Plus4. Image displayed at 96dpi.
This northerly view (26/1/03) shows the work on the structure of UB64 is well underway. Scaffolding and decking allow access for the steelwork repair and repainting to proceed. Two crossbeams have been left intact at either end to hold the beams in place while new crossbeams are fitted. Scaffolding has been fitted to the girders to allow access to place the new crossbeams and paint the structure. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B W Hughes. Image taken on Samsung Digimax230 digital camera using iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology. Image displayed at 96dpi.
This northerly view (16/2/03) shows the fitting of I section steel waybeams to Plas-y-nant bridge. The alignment is curved over the bridge so the four waybeams are in three short sections, two of which were fitted by this date. The central waybeams lie under the rails and the outside waybeams support the ends of the wooden sleepers, which will be bolted to all the beams. There is space for a walkway on the west side of the bridge (left). Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B W Hughes taken on Samsung Digimax 230 digital camera. Image post processed using iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology and displayed at 96dpi.
This northerly view (19/2/03) shows local steel contractors delivering and laying the final four steel waybeams at the north end of the bridge from their lorry parked on the south abutment. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B W Hughes taken on Samsung Digimax 230 digital camera. Image post processed using iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology and displayed at 96dpi.
This northerly view (23/2/03) shows the work on the structure of UB64 is nearing completion with all 12 sections of waybeam in place. The left hand main girder has now been scaled and painted with a silver epoxy undercoat. Extension cantilevered girders have been added for the private footpath to Pen-y-gaer, the smallholding on the hill to the left. The bridge will probably be crossed by a single pair of rails laid from the Plas-y-nant stockpile on wooden sleepers bolted to the new steel waybeams. Check rails will be added outside the running rails. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B W Hughes. Image taken on Samsung Digimax230 digital camera using iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology. Image displayed at 96dpi.
The finished bridge is to have tapered sleepers so that the outside rail (east) of the curve can be 30mm higher than the inner rail. These were on site stored in the container at Plas-y-nant by 17/4/03. A continuous sleeper deck is likely to be laid as at Tros-y-gol (UB56).
This section is heavily wooded and rock ledges have been cut about 3 metres above the river to gain the upper Gwyrfai valley that opens out beyond Plas-y-nant bridge.
This northerly view (17/4/03) shows the completion of temporary tracklaying across the bridge to move rail from Plas-y-nant rail stack to complete the two gaps at Tros-y-gol. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright B W Hughes. Image taken on Samsung Digimax230 digital camera using iPhoto Plus4 image correction technology. Image displayed at 96dpi.
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Page Version 3.1 dated 3/7/03