Brunel's Other Bridge Bristol Swivel Bridge 2015

Brunel Swivel Bridge Project Photos February 2015

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Friday 6th February

The Brunel Swivel Bridge hydraulic cylinder and ram came back to their pit after being removed in December to undergo investigation. Oil mechanism to use the lock hydraulics system may be fitted. Was originally powered by water hydraulics system from Underfall Yard. The ram had to be rotated on site to get it to fit its slide-rails.

The ram returns in two pieces since it had been seized solid, and has to be moved by fork lift	Some severe corrosion to be tackled later.
The surfaces needed cleaning off before re-uniting. We used our brand new generator.	Julian came to film this stage of the project
By judicious use of pallets, the two pieces got lined up on the fork lift for a test	The other surfaces were also cleaned before reassembling.
Liberal dose of graphite grease applied	Bob checks the dimensions ready to do another superb plan
Judicious pushes and lifts mean the pieces join beautifully	Ready to manouvre back to the pit, Julian capturing every move
Mike making sure the pit is ready, and the rope out of the way	Geoff leading the procession, clearing all the ramps
Crossing the rail and lining up. Suspension Bridge looking on	Quick turn
Greasing the mounting studs	Careful lowering making sure the fork lift does not move too far forward

Saturday 21st February

Another high tide to take bridge reflections	and to help find drainage holes
Mike Bone digging down to find more foundations. Wheel pit disappointedly took some time to drain, partly due to leaves, and some plastic debris in the wheel sumps. Maggie and Julian bailed out water for some time only to find when we had turned our backs it had suddenly vanished	Graham also excavating. Water has now vanished
Martyn and Bob doing more surveying of thickness of materials	Julian videoing our work again talking to Elizabeth from UWE studying photography. She was doing a module which involves looking into the local history of Clifton, so came down to photograph us using an amazingly complicated camera. We look forward to seeing the results.
Alot of discussion as to where to put the new interpretation panels	Geoff and new volunteer Duncan working out the proforma to make the new shelter. Duncan spent the whole afternoon sawing the wood. The weather was kind to us today

Sunday 22nd February

Rain stopped play before lunch

Mike cleaning the stone ready to put the panel stand on	Graham moving the life belt to a better spot
Geoff and Mike fixing the stand with postcrete	Having checked the wheel pits were clear, was trying to find where the water vanished to so quickly- having seen bubbles here. There must be drainage somewhere besides under the wheels. Another drain had more silt taken out. The level then mysteriously rose by 1' and then fell back again