Bridge No. 1

The line from Marsh Mills crosses over three bridges. The first of which is about 150 foot north of World's End, and carries the line over several pipelines which serve the china clay dries at Marsh Mills. We were advised by a Bridge Engineer to un-cover the top of the stone arch, and then give the surface of the arch a waterproof coating. This should then stop the water from leeching out the cement from around the stones. A mini digger was initially used to dig down to the top of the arch and down the sides, with the final spoil being removed by hand.  The arch was then washed down and a layer of "soft" cement was spread across the top of the uneven stones, forming the arch. This flat surface then enabled a layer of waterproof paint to be spread across the bridge and finally a plastic membrane was laid across the top.  The spoil was then shovelled back onto the bridge and finally topped off with a layer of ballast. Before the bridge is completely re-built the underneath of the arch has to be re-pointed and the parapets re-built.

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Bridge No. 1 before the ballast and spoil was dug out.	The final digging out of spoil was completed by hand.	Members watching the final clearing off  of the bridge.
No. 3 was used as a water bowser, to enable pressure washing of the arch.	The arch was covered in a layer of cement.	The waterproofing paint was spread on the cement.
The spoil was shovelled back in and compressed.	Ready for the top layer of ballast.	The view northwards across Bridge No. 1, now ready for track and ballast, October 2002.

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