Brunel Swivel BridgeBrunel's Other Bridge

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Brunel Swivel Bridge Project Photos May 2014

Brunel Swivel Bridge
Mostly pondering about the pintle of the Brunel Swivel Bridge this time and using our big spanner for the first time.

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Work PHASE A Preparation and Basic Conservation by Volunteers

No experience needed, all equipment provided, and you'll get really involved in helping to save Brunel's Other Bridge.

Contact Maggie Shapland (Maggie.shapland@gmail.com) if you wish to help.

Details of work

Details of progress in 2013

Details of progress in 2014 and working days.

Saturday 24 May 2014

Brunel Swivel Bridge
The 2000kg chain hoists are both hooked in position to turn the spanner, Geoff making sure there is no play, Mike getting ready to use one of the hoists. Ian looking on. Heavy rain but our makeshift shelter worked well.
Brunel Swivel Bridge
Geoff tries heating from below, but 150 years of muck catches fire and blows down
Brunel Swivel Bridge
Some white metal drops down
Brunel Swivel Bridge
Geoff tries heating from above, aided by Ian Kerr
Brunel Swivel Bridge
When in doubt get your big hammer out but still no joy
Brunel Swivel Bridge
We then turned our attention to getting the pins out of the rope. Heat and large crowbar needed and a big hammer
Brunel Swivel Bridge
Getting there
Brunel Swivel Bridge
Rust on the turntable
Brunel Swivel Bridge
Having loosened the rope, Mike was able to get the 50 ton jack under the clevis pin
Brunel Swivel Bridge
More heat, more hammering
Brunel Swivel Bridge
Pin finally coming out
Brunel Swivel Bridge
Mike holding the pin and sleeve. Probably has never been removed before
Brunel Swivel Bridge
In the mean time, Ian and Geoff were getting on with the other pin
Brunel Swivel Bridge
This pin was even more worn
Brunel Swivel Bridge
The turntable is rusty
Brunel Swivel Bridge
The offending connection. Made a satisfying big bang when the pin was withdrawn

Sunday 25 May 2014

Brunel Swivel Bridge
Geoff worrying about the pintle. Lots of diagrams and measurements around.
Brunel Swivel Bridge
He gathers Mike Bone, Mike Taylor and Martyn Hart around to talk it through
Brunel Swivel Bridge
We have a group photo and decide to do something else. Big smiles all round
Brunel Swivel Bridge
Back to the hydraulic rams
Brunel Swivel Bridge
Wheel and rope in position. Note the channels full of water
Brunel Swivel Bridge
More heat needed
Brunel Swivel Bridge
Wherever we go we all have to work closely together, but there is more space than under the turntable! Note the rusty bolts in the foreground
Brunel Swivel Bridge
I think the bolts need replacing
Brunel Swivel Bridge
Maggie cleaning the rods
Brunel Swivel Bridge
Maggie then went on to clean the channels to try to get the water to drain away
Brunel Swivel Bridge
Never ending sea of mud but at least it is fairly loose
Brunel Swivel Bridge
Geoff and Martyn moved to another section of the hydraulics and again applied heat and hammers
Brunel Swivel Bridge
They got the cam to move

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