Thursday’s Special : the Transporter Bridge

Just a gentle warning not to cross when the bridge isn't there!

Just a gentle warning not to cross when the bridge isn’t there!

A while ago the distant silhouette of the Transporter Bridge appeared in the background of one of my photos.  Paula expressed interest in it, so I thought it might be nice if it were the subject of a Thursday’s Special.

It is, in fact, quite a special structure. The concept of the transporter bridge was invented in 1873 by Charles Smith (1844-82) the manager of the iron works in, would you believe it, my home town, Hartlepool.  It is a type of movable bridge that carries a segment of roadway across a river. The gondola is slung from a tall span by wires on a metal frame. The design is used to cross navigable rivers where shipping traffic needs to pass.  Fewer than two dozen of this type of bridge have ever been built, according to Wikipedia.

Unfortunately Mr. Smith’s proposal was rejected by the local council, but the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge finally came into being in 1911.  At 259 metres wide and 69 metres high it is the second largest such bridge in the world.  The gondola can carry 200 people and 9 cars, and crosses the River Tees in 90 seconds.

The approach to the bridge
The gondola is on the far shore
There are steps up to the top if you’re feeling adventurous
But it’s not often open. I’d love to do it (I think!)
It’s a long way across!
A “close up” of the gondola
Just a few steps!
It looks quite flimsy from here
But it’s a solid structure.
Looking out across the Tees.
The sky was quite moody today.
Time to move on, I think. I haven’t got the brolly!

The bridge never operates on windy days so I wasn’t surprised to find as I approached it that the gondola wasn’t moving.  It wasn’t till I returned home that I discovered that it’s currently closed for repair!  The good news for me was that I had uninterrupted views across the river.  The bad news- the gondola was stranded on the far shore so I couldn’t get across.  But I did discover a cycle track from which I could take even more shots.

Isn’t it a beautiful structure?
You can get a better impression of size from here.
I love the shape of it.
The darkening sky adds drama to the industry on the far shore.
A boat comes chugging beneath it
And off into the distance.
I can’t resist looking back.
More drama!
Boats gather in the mouth of the river (you need to stand on tiptoe!)
It’s a busy industrial landscape, with Roseberry Topping just visible in the distance..

It’s many years since I travelled that way regularly, in my commute to work.  Often on chilly Winter mornings I stood on the riverbank, waiting for the gondola’s approach.  When it landed and I stepped aboard there was always a frisson of excitement.  Now the bus boringly follows the road and crosses the Tees via Newport Bridge.

The Transporter is not so regularly used these days, but a Visitor Centre, on the far shore, pays tribute to its exciting past (and its star performance on the TV sit com Auf Wiedersehn, Pet) but that’s a trip for another day.  The links tell the full story, and if you click on any photo you’ll get my usual running commentary.

I hope that Paula enjoys her virtual visit to the Transporter Bridge with me, and that you’ll all join her on Thursday’s Special.  The pretty logo below will take you there.

jupiter-widget_text

82 comments

  1. Jo, will be curious to see your set of images when you return and traverse it at the top. 🙂 I’m not sure my fear of heights would allow me to do so there or on Bilbao’s similar transporter bridge.

    Like

    Reply

    1. It’s a landmark I’ve loved all my life, Jo. Viveka’s put a link to a YouTube video in her comments. Or the Wikipedia link gives you more information. Many thanks for your visit 🙂

      Like

      Reply

  5. What a lovely visit this was Jo. It’s a beautiful bridge and you’ve made it just more interesting with your lovely photo’s. Thanks for sharing hon. 😀 *hugs*

    Like

    Reply

    1. I’m amazed! I almost never think of YouTube. I needn’t have taken all those photographs, just play the video 🙂 Thanks, lovely lady. I have both feet firmly on the ground this morning.
      (But talking of feet, I think a hospital visit may be needed this morning- I suspect my son James has a bone chipped or broken in his foot 😦 )

      Like

      Reply

      1. Jo, I think you maybe could have posted the little video of the bridge with your stunning photo. Because it have given a bigger impact to the bridge and it also give picture of the greatness of this bridge, but your photos can measure up to the video or replace you view on the bridge. It can be a great combination sometimes .. to use a video and personal photos.
        Wow, a bone chipped … I hope it’s not that bad, Jo … sounds painful and months of awkwardness. Good Luck, James.

        Like

  7. Wow, this just fantastic – love it … excellent job !!! Beautiful, bold and urban. Transport bridge what does that mean …. It’s not connected to anything in either ends ???? Does it tip??? A majestic construction and goes back to 1911. My grandma was only 21 then. Love the blues in the shots.

    Like

    Reply

    1. The gondola runs across dangling from wires. The main structure is pretty solid. When it’s operational again I’ll go back for a ride and take some photos in transit (maybe even climb up and over the top- I might need a blindfold 🙂 )
      Hug and night, night!

      Like

      Reply

  14. What an interesting concept. Thanks for showing it to us Jo. Incidentally I loved the TV show Auf Wiedersehn, Pet, but I had to give a running translation to Jack of the dialogue as you needed to be a “Pomme” to understand the brummy accents

    Like

    Reply

Leave a reply to restlessjo Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.