163. Newport Transporter Bridge South Wales
Vložit
- čas přidán 22. 07. 2024
- This is a film of a visit I made to the Transporter Bridge on 12th July 2013, I hope you enjoy watching.
The bridge opened on 12th September 1906 to link the residential district of Pillgwenlly, Newport on the West side of the River Usk with the main industrial area and docks on the East side. This type of bridge was chosen, as the tidal nature of the river prevented use of a ferry and it did not interfere with tall-masted ships navigating the river. It is a Grade I Listed structure, being the largest and oldest example in the UK and one of only eight, which remain in the world.
If you would like to buy me a cup of tea or make a one-off donation, please click here: paypal.me/mynarrowboatventure
My Facebook Channel: / mynarrowboatventure
My Instagram Channel: / my.narrowboat.venture
Thanks for watching and if you have enjoyed, please like, subscribe and click the bell to receive notifications of future videos and of course please comment!
Very educational never new this existed. Great stuff lol
That was very interesting I have never seen such a type of bridge 😊
Thanks for this one Alan I never knew about this one
I don't think I have ever heard of a transporter bridge and certainly never seen one. Thank you for sharing all of the history of this unique piece of transportation ephemera, Alan.
Glad you enjoyed it Tim. Do a Google search on the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge, which was later changed to a vertical lift bridge. Cheers
@@MyNarrowboatVenture That's not really that far from where I live and I never knew about it! Looks like I will have to take a trip to visit it this summer.
@@TimVirnig It sounds a fascinating bridge to visit, especially with the way it now operates.
Thank you for this video. I lived not far from this bridge while I was studying in Newport and I regret not taking the opportunity to experience it more closely
That’s kind of you to say Nick, I’m glad you enjoyed watching and hopefully brought back some good memories for you.
Incredible structure, but simple in operation. I had no idea such bridges existed. We’ll photographed and filmed Alan. Thanks for showing us.
Glad you enjoyed it, your comment is much appreciated.
This is the very first time I have ever seen anything like this. Thanks you so much.
My pleasure William, I'm glad you found it of interest.
Thanks Alan, very enjoyable video, would be someone's dream job to work there.
Marvellous engineering.
Brilliant vlog Alan very interesting
Very interesting. You certainly have a head for heights Alan! I had vertigo just watching it 😂 Thanks for sharing.
What fun this was! I knew only of the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge (which wasn't dismantled and sent to the US. :P) and had no idea about the other ones!
Very interesting Alan thank you, it’s nice seeing something I didn’t even know existed
thank you that is interesting
Hi Alan That was VERY interesting and nice to see it still going after all these years, I can just imagine seeing it working with all the workers from the iron works packed in like sardines with there bikes going home after there shift. Cheers
That's just how I would picture it, all the best.
What a great vlog thanks,
Very interesting. Take care and stay safe.
Lovely seeing these old machines and as usual shown in a great way thank you Alan take care
Another excellent vlog Alan, that high level walk is not for the faint hearted 😳
Was thunderstruck, Alan, that the public was allowed access to so much of a working transporter. The heights in open grid work areas seem quite risky. That said, seeing the machinery working was grand. The two engineers surely would be proud of their work. It is an elegant blend of strength, efficiency, and durability. The surrounding ironwork was particularly enchanting. A truly fascinating tour. Thank you!
I think when it was built people were allowed to pay and walk across. It’s quite safe but wouldn’t suit anyone who doesn’t like heights and it’s quite a climb to the top. A magnificent piece of engineering, there are only a few left now and one of those needs restoration x
Just wonderful,thank you Alan
How enjoyable ! More ! More ! Thank you Alan : )
Very interesting. Thank you
Didn’t even realize such a thing existed but definitely born from a need to move people and materials from one side to the other. Such an amazing feat of engineering in my opinion.
Hi Mary Jane. It's a fantastic feat of engineering. If you do a Google search on the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge, which was later changed to a vertical lift bridge you'll find one closer to home. Cheers
@@MyNarrowboatVenture it’s ironic that you should mention the Duluth bridge as I actually have that bridge on a CZcams live feed where I can watch the freighters coming and going during shipping season. I had no idea it was an aerial lift bridge prior to the vertical lift though so google will be my friend today. Thank you for the info. Have a great day.
@@AdirondackNative51 Isn't that a strange coincidence, sounds like the sort of thing I'd be interested to watch. You too have a good day.
You learn something everyday. I had never heard of these Bridges before seeing your vlog.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Alan, I had never heard of a Transporter Bridge, Very interesting to see. Take care
That was a most interesting diversion Alan.
Great idea to share old footage.
Thank you for this Alan . I’ve often seen it when I’ve been by on the train to Bridgend and wondered what it was for . Now I know
Thanks Susan, I’m glad your mystery has been explained. All the best Alan
Interesting Video Thanks
Thank you. Excellent
Gail
Really interesting, passed underneath it when working on a ship which used to run up that river on a regular basis!
Very nice video , i have never seen a bridge like that before, thanks for shearing the footage.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed watching, cheers.
Excellent film Alan dont fancy the top walk.
Hi Alan never seen anything like that before very interesting. Cheers mate
Cheers for sharing Alan....I enjoy seeing old mechanical works in action....thank you....”bye for now” . Regards Alistair.
I stumbled upon this bridge on a visit to a venue close by. It was not working or accessible back then. I stood for ages in wonder. Thankfully there is an info point. It's an amazing sight. Some great if deralict architecture close by too at least back wben I went
Thanks for the great video. Very interesting to see working history and the engineering involved.
Very interesting Alan. Thank u
Wow I didnt even know this kind of riparian entertainment existed
Those bridges would make great abseiling sites
Thanks Alan, enjoyed the video a lot take care . Until next time x
Many thanks Gloria x
@@MyNarrowboatVenture Your Welcome
Fascinating never had the chance to visit but when get the opportunity certainly will
Amazing!
Thank you Alan. Very interesting
Learned something new today, thanks Alan. Not one for heights... your vlog will do just fine!
Thanks for watching Mike, glad you enjoyed it.
Hi Alan great vid it brought back memories from when I lived in Middlesbrough. From 1969 to 1970, I crossed the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge to get to the Haverton Hill Shipyard where I began my apprenticeship as a ships carpenter, fifty years later I'm now retired, but I remember well the journey there and back each working day. In windy weather the gondola was out of action and you had to pay a penny to walk across it, I did it twice back then in howling winds.
A bridge too far...
A bridge that spans the river steel,
blue coated, striding like an insect
to the other side.
Boxes of metal on rubber wheels
transported by silken threads of
steel.
Watched calm an' fair from above
the blue reddened sky, protects, as
it stands in its mystery, an' will take you
far far beyond the other side.
I’m glad it brought back some early memories for you. Although it wasn’t open when I visited, I was offered the chance to walk across but had to decline, as it would have put me behind on my travels. Thanks for the poem, take care.
Really interesting vlog Alan. Great to see these old engineering relics still serving a purpose. Not sure I could have done the footage from the top,you done really well.
Glad you enjoyed it Paul, I know heights are a problem for some, it's the combination of wind and height that I don't like.
Wow great video! Thanks!
Man that was so interesting thanks for posting it. You would not get me up the top for that great view. Didn't some TV show years ago do a episode where they sold a bridge like that and moved it overseas? Was it Auf Wiedersehen, Pet? tho they never did remove it.
What an interesting bit of history... thx for sharing..... keep these coming💜.. stay safe😷
Hi Alan. Thanks for sharing this vlog. I did not know these bridges existed till now. It moves a lot quicker than I thought it would. Lovely view from the top. Stay safe and well and keep surprising with you different vlogs.
Thanks Shamus, I'm glad you found it of interest. Cheers
Hi Alan, That was different but very interesting. Thanks. 👍👍
Glad you enjoyed it Louise.
Hi Alan, I've lived in Cardiff all of my life which as you probably know is only 10 miles or so away from the Newport bridge and in all of my years I've never seen the bridge in that detail, so thank you for sharing this. Very interesting indeed.. 🍷🍷
I'm glad you enjoyed it Steve, a remarkable piece of engineering. Perhaps you'll be tempted to visit when it's open. All the best, cheers Alan.
Wow amazing, not for my heart. Wonderful engineering they had even then.
Thank-you Alan for sharing that film with us. You're right that is a wonderful structure. I know you love all things mechanical, me too. I know you must be finding it difficult during this lockdown to find things to show us, but believe me, you are doing a great job. All the best. And bye for now. Stephen.
Many thanks Stephen for your appreciation, I have some other projects up my sleeve and I do have a lot of video from trips I've made over the years, which has never been edited. Take care, best regards Alan
I believe the very splendid period hotel on the west side has closed down recently. I crossed this first thing when it opened in the morning, a few years ago when running the coast path. It's an amazing construction.
I'm not aware of the hotel, I was in my VW camper, which you saw parked on the West bank by the visitor centre. Cheers
fun fact 1: The little blue shed halfway along the walkway is in fact a staff toilet
Fun fact 2 : Newport Boxing Legend David 'Bomber' Pearce used the stairs to train
Thanks for that info Dave, a good place to train I have to say, cheers.
That was one of the best Alan. I've driven by that countless times yet never knew you could actually visit it. Thanks for bringing such an informative vlog to the screen.
Thank you very much Ian for your kind words, it's not always open, need to check times and it closes for the winter.
Very interesting, thanks!
Absolutely brilliant, thank you so much for sharing your lovely footage Alan, that was such a treat.
We went across the top of the Newport bridge in 2009, went to the Warrington one soon after, but as you say it is quite difficult to get close to.
We then arranged to go over the top of the Middlesbrough bridge, but despite staying in a hotel there for two extra nights, the winds never dropped enough to allow us access. We did continue further up country to the Falkirk wheel, so got a wonderful experience in the end.
Sadly because of mobility difficulties, going over the top of anything needing access by many stairs is no longer a possibility, which is why I enjoyed your film so much. Big thank you.
Hi Jilly, you've certainly got around a bit. I was in Middlesbrough in 2015 and though it wasn't open at the time, I had the chance to walk over the bridge but didn't have the time to do so, as I was just passing through. I'm glad the video brought back some fond memories for you and am sorry to hear your clambering over things days are no more. All the best, take care, Alan
Hi Alan, in France we have the same transporter bridge, on the river Charente ( Rochefort ) 👋👋👋
Real interesting, thanks for sharing Alan, 💙🙋♀️
Thanks Katelyn, hope all well x
Wonderful video again we are so grateful for all you do and always look forward to the next video hugs Lynn and Victor :)))
Hi Lynn and Victor, I'm so pleased you enjoyed it, thanks for letting me know. Take care, all the best Alan x
This was very interesting. Thank you Alan. I hope all is well.
All is good thanks Bob, glad you enjoyed.
Interesting Alan. I have visited the Tees bridge which seems very similar.
Great video Alan please keep them coming, stay safe and take care my friend.
Thanks, you too! Cheers
I’ve been over the Rensburg bridge in Germany about forty years ago when I served in the British Army , I think there’s a railway line going over the top as well
Excellent. Thank you for sharing Alan. That’s the first time I’ve seen this. Fascinating to see it in operation. Stay safe Alan
It’s a great piece of engineering. Take care.
I could never walk on something that high up!
Just the climb up is hard work but well worth it, once up top but I know it wouldn't suit everyone.
Hi Alan I stayed in Newport in 2019 but the bridge had closed for winter which was a shame so thanks for the film. This lock down is really pulling I've not dare go to the boat for fear of prosecution so I'm praying it will be OK. I'm having two weeks off putting videos out although I have got two made already for later on and have started a third but all difficult to do with no boating. Look forward to your next live with Pat and Eileen. Take care. Alan.
It’s difficult to find topics isn’t it. I’ve been trawling through film I have, still unedited from years ago, so who knows what I might produce. I’m glad you have some videos ready prepared. Cheers, keep safe.
Hi Alan thanks for sharing Newport transporter bridge has been on my to visit list for a long time really enjoyed seeing the footage as it has rejuvenated my desire to go and see this magnificent structure when things eventually return to a more normal post virus state thanks for sharing 😀
I'm glad you enjoyed it David, we're really lucky that we have this type of engineering left in the UK, it's well worth making the visit when you can. Cheers
@@MyNarrowboatVenture Thanks Alan it was lovely to see and we have so many beautiful historical engineering things to see beautifully crafted and built to last! Roll on better times so we can get out cruising again!!
@@djmarine4499 I couldn't agree more David.
Alan. Surprised that you said that the Newport Transporter Bridge was in England, Newport is definitely in Wales. Used it once, just to have a go on it, quite an experience. Great and informative vlog.
That was a big ooops on my part and not intentional. Sorry about that. Glad you liked the video. Cheers
nice vlog
Super little film. Enjoyed it especially winding room. You mentioned that it was one of three in England. As not to upset the Welsh perhaps the UK would be better!
Thanks Alison, I am aware of the oooops, which was entirely accidental. Cheers
two in england, this one is in wales. ok? thank you very nice, ive been on it many times and walked over the top.
I do know, that was a bit of an oooops moment. Glad you enjoyed watching, cheers.
Hi Alan ,my gosh you've been extremely prolific in the last little while. Another fascinating and quite different vlog but with your impeccable style and choice of content. I Wonder what's next. Perhaps a virtual trip to the Kennet and Avon canal to see the Crofton pumping station with those monstrous steam powered beam engines or that gigantic water wheel powered pumping station at Claverton or perhaps a hike on Dartmoor to Ducks or Cranmere Pool or a complete surprise....... .go on surprise us.
Thanks Alan take care stay safe .Cheers from Canada
Hi Ralph, be careful what you wish for. I have the impression you may not have watched video No.76, which was filmed in 2009 - I'll say no more other than please take a look. All the best, take care Alan
Hi Alan what an amazing construction. My wife,s family are all in Pembrokeshire and we travel there to visit and holiday about 6 times a year normally and you can see the bridge from the M4, but never ventured. I will now cos I want to have a go on it. Many thanks for the insight, Stay safe, Proper Job
Thanks Ron, it is closed for Winter, so you'd need to check opening times. All the best, take care.
@@MyNarrowboatVenture Thanks for that Alan and we are all closed down at present too so I,ll have to wait.
Hi Alan, I was born in Newport and have many memories of the transporter bridge but have not walked over the top. I have not lived in Newport for many years, it was lovely to see your video. Thank you. Take care and stay safe 😀😀
Hi Diane, that's very kind of you to say, thank you so much. All the best, take care Alan
Interesting vlog Alan. Hope you are keeping warm and well.
Thanks Hugh, I’m fine thanks.
The one at Teesside is out of action...again. Discussions ongoing on what to do with it - including the option of decommissioning and making it into a static exhibit. Well done for spelling Middlesbrough correctly 😁
That's a shame to hear, let's hope funding can be found to restore it. I thought it had just been renovated when I visited in 2015, Cheers
Hello Alan what an interesting video I visted Newport Monmouthshire a few times when I was a young girl with my parents we had relatives there we had relatives all over wales but I cant remember the bridge the last few days we have had 50 cm of snow take care till next time Anne 🇨🇭
Hi Anne, that's a lot of snow (UK wise) but maybe not for you! I'm glad you enjoyed watching. I suppose it's a little bit out of town, so you may not have been aware of it. All the best Alan
Thats alot of snow for us as well and we have no garage so had to dig out our car🇨🇭
@@annehaesler2556 I didn't know what sort of snowfall you usually get, chilly work doing that!
I don’t think the local population would be too happy about you saying that Newport is in England!
Looks like the machinery is still in fairly original condition. Middlesbrough has been modernised with new three phase a.c. Motors replacing the original d.c. ones, though these are still in place, and the control system updated. The last I heard it was out of service due to some serious structural problems; I don’t know if it has been repaired yet.
With only five ever built in the UK it is strange that three should have been built so close together as Warrington No. 1, Warrington No. 2 and Runcorn-Widnes. It’s a pity that the latter did not survive.
Wi almost had a sixth one, inLondon. A modern high-level footbridge was built in the Royal Docks, I think about twenty years ago. This was designed so that it could later be converted to also function as a Transporter Bridge, but this never happened.
The Tees Bridge is the only one I have actually been on. A young lady in a high-vis jacket and hard hat once invited me to climb it, but I have absolutely no head for heights.
Hope Warrington No. 2 gets restored before it actually falls down.
That was an unfortunate ooops! But I also said it was in S Wales. This visit was made in 2013. I believe it’s been out of action for a long while and is due to re-open this year after repairs. I was in Middlesbrough some years ago, I think when the bridge had been newly painted blue. It was late one afternoon and wasn’t open but the operatives saw me taking an interest and said I could walk up and over if I wanted to. I declined the offer, as I needed to move on. Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers
We have nothing like this here in the USA. Very interesting and enjoyable. The Mackinac Bridge in Michigan is walkable on Labor Day each year and I have done so a couple of times. Check it out if you get a chance. Thanks for the videos.
Many thanks for your comment, I've checked out the Bridge you mention, very impressive, thanks for telling me about it. All the best Alan
I used to go over ours slot years ago(Middlesbrough)it's broke again I think now
Sorry to hear that. Cheers
Hi Alan. A great video. Is this in the part of England that they call "Wales" ? - Just lidding mate!
I did a bit of an Ooooops with that!
Check out "Little England Beyond Wales" as well, LOL.
@@gavinstacey8862 Interesting, not heard of that before, cheers.
Your a very brave person..those heights would scare me..
This is amazing ive never seen anything like this...Why didn't they just span the river?
How large is the platform that carries passengers? Is there only one operating at a time?
So many questions..no way to really converse decently...🤔..
Thank you Alan ..very interesting vlog...
Bye for now!!😊
Hi Susan, thanks for your interest. The gondola can carry 6 regular size vehicles and passengers of course, and moves back and forth across the river. This type of bridge was chosen, as the tidal nature of the river prevented use of a ferry and it did not interfere with tall-masted ships navigating the river. When it was built, it was serving a steelworks, so there would have been a lot of foot traffic/and bicycles no doubt. Take care
Great video !!!! Makes me want to make a model. You say "in England" several times whereas your title says South Wales, YOUR welsh viewers will be most upset!!!!!!!!!!
That's a bit of an ooops from me unfortunately, which I can tell you is very annoying for me as well! Cheers
Very interesting. Nice video. Professional. How about some info about The Broads? What are they? Do narrow boats go on them? Thanks.
Thank you Allen brought back memories, walking over the top with my husband in 1966. Take care of yourself .
I’m pleased to hear that, all the best, keep safe.
Great video on an interesting piece of engineering! With your expertise on engineering in general we could have used some discussion on why? They built the bridge work, so why not build a regular bridge?
Thanks James, the answer to your question is in the decription of the video - This type of bridge was chosen, as the tidal nature of the river prevented use of a ferry and it did not interfere with tall-masted ships navigating the river. Cheers
@@MyNarrowboatVenture Then my questions would be: Why not a drawbridge? Would it be too much more expensive or was traffic volume expected to be too low to justify a real bridge?
@@jamesjorgensen3709 Hi James, this bridge was built to serve an industrial area and mainly the steel works on the other side of the river from the town. It would have transported workers, ie pedestrians and their bicycles across in the early days. As you suggest, the overall use would have been too low for such a grand bridge and it wouldn't have been seen by many.
I always try to learn something new every day, so thank you for helping me achieve that aim before breakfast. I never knew of the existence of these three bridges. I hate to criticise your videos but there is one small point that needs to be said. On two occasions in this video you mention that the Newport bridge is one of only three in England, but I think you will find that this is in Wales, which is definitely not England. Sorry to be pedantic!
Perhaps it's half an half, but I'm not sure. One I know the Middlesbrough one well it's a Boro bridge only.....Ha ha
You’re quite right Darren, thanks for mentioning it. Glad you found it of interest.
Nice one Alan was that your VW type 2 i spotted in the carpark
It was indeed Bryan, well spotted.
Great Vlog as always Alan!
One thing popped up in my mind immediately though: What's the reasoning for building a transporter bridge? I mean, looking at it I'd say that a normal bridge ... just had a thought: Ar they a precursor to swingbridges, such as the Tower Bridge in London, or a cheaper variant in places where a bridge is necessary, though not for large traffic amounts, but in the way of large ships?
Hi Christian, many thanks. This type of bridge was chosen, as the tidal nature of the river prevented use of a ferry and it did not interfere with tall-masted ships navigating the river. Tower Bridge is actually a bascule bridge. Cheers
Hi Cristian you must also remember that the bridge was also built to transport the workers across to the iron works,so you would have Hundreds of workers using it all day and every day.Cheers
An unusual concept, I don't think anything like this exists in the U.S. Do they charge a toll to cross these bridges and is there room for only one vehicle? Thanks for this one Alan ;)
The charge to cross is only a few pounds, depending on whether you’re a child, adult or vehicle. I think it can take 9 vehicles obviously dependent on size. Check out the Aerial Lift Bridge, Duluth, Minnesota. That’s fascinating, as it was converted to a lift bridge. Cheers
Very interesting. Why didn't they build a bridge and how much does it cost to go across? Thank you for a great video
Hi Penney. This type of bridge was chosen, as the tidal nature of the river prevented use of a ferry and it did not interfere with tall-masted ships navigating the river. It's only a few pounds to cross depending on whether you're an adult or child, and whether it's a single or return trip.
@@MyNarrowboatVenture thank you I'm afraid of heights so I don't think I could walk up there like you did 🥺
@@penneynoss9552 I can understand that but you don't have to walk across, you can travel on the Gondola just for the ride. There is a small visitor centre there.
Interesting, but at 0:59s there is a pretty bad error. Newport is most certainly NOT in England, Alan. :). Shame though re the Transporter Bridge, as it is currently not operational. I've been across the top many times and the view is excellent, though not for the feint hearted!
I am aware of this ooops, it's just one of those unfortunate things that occurred quite accidentally. Cheers
just been awarded 8 million lottery funding to revamp and build a new visitor centre for Newport transporter bridge. Idon't
I saw that yesterday, it's great to see investment being made but that's a whopping amount!
Since when has the Newport transporter bridge been one of three in England?
An ooops moment, I was aware of, but I did also say it was in South Wales!
LOVE YOUR VLOGS.HOWEVER NEWPORT IS NOT IN ENGLAND1
I realise that John a bit of an oooops on my part, although it is labelled as being in Wales.
Sorry Alan but you refer to it a few times as being in England, it is in Wales I live in Swansea but have never crossed it
a
Hi Brian. I am aware it is in Wales, it’s an unfortunate ooops. The map shows it in South Wales. I should have said Great Britain. Cheers
No probs Alan you may be interested to know that it was announced today on Wales news that the National Lottery is giving the bridge £9M to help to its restoration great news
@@brianrees3697 Thanks Brian, I read about that in an email from the Museums Association, which also had a picture of the new look visitor centre. Cheers