Loughor Bridge (Then & Now)....27/03/2013

All of the old railway bridge at Loughor has been now been removed, leaving a big gap between the river banks, so this upload looks at some still images of the bridge taken in 1982, with class 37's crossing with Milford Haven to Swansea services, and more recent images of GWR Castle 5029 Nunney Castle, and a HST .
Unusually, I also had the opportunity to capture one of the spoil trains getting prepared for its return to Crewe with Freightliners 70004 leading and 70010 & 66561 at the rear today. They are seen at Duffryn, which is the Western most part of the re-doubling project

[@apachenoise54]

Thank you Bob, your coverage of the project has been thoroughly enjoyable. I'm sure it will be a treasured archive in years to come. Regards Dale

[@robmasterman]

Hiya Barry, thanks for your supportive comments, which are greatly appreciated....Bob

[@TheMichaelWilcock2016Railways]

Excellent newsreel Bob. Even the various F/Liners are newsworthy and you were the only one recording the events for us all to view...thanks again..........Mike still checking over 600 hrs of video since 1998 !!

[@robmasterman]

Thanks Mike, I feel compelled to complete the project now, and hopefully have this once in a life time event in 'the can'....Good luck with yours...your material is superb, and much of it totally unique...so please keep them coming....Bob

[@robmasterman]

Thanks Steve, to see a big gap across the river where only a few days ago there were trains crossing at 70 mph was strange....so I felt it was an appropriate tribute, to add some old images....Bob

[@siobhan104]

Very nice Bob. Glad you're filming all this Bob. Rare to have three F.liners down there. Lovely shot of the 37 silhouetted on the bridge at the start too.All the best...Tim.

[@robmasterman]

Thanks both, thought it might be useful to those who haven;t seen it from the start...Bob

[@robmasterman]

Thank you for your kind comments....Bob

[@howarth004]

A very good compilation of before , between, and near compleation Bob , with fitting music

[@Bevoin1970]

Very well made Bob, your music choice was well suited too, all in all another top class BM Production..

[@robmasterman]

It certainly is, thank you for watching...Bob

[@robmasterman]

Thanks Wayne, it just reminds people what changes have been made....Bob

[@MikeSnow9]

I liked the music and the construction of the new bridge. Good historical record Bob.......Mike

[@lionbill]

An absolute First Class project . . . What can I say Bob, Thank You!

[@robmasterman]

Now there's an interesting thought Austin...as always you are on the ball with your thoughtful comments...Regards...Bob

[@robmasterman]

Unfortunately Michael, the music is taken from KZbin's Audio Swap option, and I didn't make a note of the details...it can only be added during the uploading process and not as a stand alone option. I believe that most of the music can be purchased through iTunes...Regards...Bob

[@robmasterman]

The actual bridges are very similar in appearance Kev, it's the concrete supports that looks so modern......Thanks as always....Bob

[@PhilbruProduction]

With your video reports, the old bridge will be remembered. Congratulations Bob! Philippe

[@robmasterman]

Thanks John, for those Generous comments, ...That'll be the day! :o). I've just passed there, and the new bridge is nearly in it's new position, although time lapse would be the only way to capture it......Bob

[@EMuksteam]

Brilliant video loved the old photos Bob great coverage of then & now (C&A)

[@JPMiller14]

Great coverage Bob. First shot of the cl 70's in the area I have seen.

[@robmasterman]

Thanks very much, if you scroll through my videos, there is footage from before the work starting through all the various stages up to now...Regards...Bob

[@robmasterman]

Thanks Kev, not long now before it's all completed.....Bob

[@robmasterman]

Thank you my friend....Bob

[@penybontshed]

Really nicely put together Bob

[@TheMacchips]

Hi just found your site just in time to see all the bridge replacement work, fantastic effort and quality pictures and sound even if you had to join the mudlarks to get some of the views

[@robmasterman]

Thanks Alan, at least the whole process has been covered...who knows what the future will hold.....Bob

[@MagictrainsOrg]

It's very interesting! Many thanks!

[@bkendlerA4]

Hiya Bob, A splendid film of a major change in rail infrastructure. Barry

[@canvids1]

some real nice photos and great video coverage.

[@robmasterman]

Thanks Tim, most of this train movement has been done overnight so impossible to record...It's still impossible to film the Gowerton to Cockett section as there is nos access at the moment....Bob

[@robmasterman]

Thanks Mike, much appreciated...bob

[@davidfrobel7582]

very nice bob,,I like the dumper that can run on the tracks,it looks like the trains will be fliying through there before to long.

[@robmasterman]

Let's hope so Dale, it's so easy to forget things when they've gone...Bob

[@robmasterman]

Thanks very much....Bob

[@peterdavies8205]

great videos, i remember diving off the old bridges when i was a boy, no chance of me doing it off the new bridges though. ha ha

[@robmasterman]

They have used a great variety of equipment in this project Andrei. It was difficult shooting on a flimsy suspension bridge in strong winds, but it was the only way I could show the gap across the river where the bridge once stood. The class 70's don't work here normally, and although they have been used on these engineering trains, it's all been nocturnal, so impassible to video. Interestingly, the first test run of a Class 70 in the UK was from Cardiff to Llandeilo Jn back in 2010....Bob

[@robmasterman]

The actual bridge is very similar to the old one Keith, the main difference is the concrete supports compared with wooden beams on the old bridge....but as to its longevity.....who knows.......Thanks as always...Bob

[@acw71000]

Good stuff Bob, rather appropriate in the week that saw the 50th.anniversary of the Beeching report we see a line being redoubled

[@khankadet]

Thanks Bob. Fitting choice of music I thought. Chris

[@robmasterman]

Thanks Chris, with still images throughout, and not much relevant sound, it seemed the most appropriate course...Bob

[@robmasterman]

Thanks Dave, it's not often that they single a line and twenty five years later, re-double it......Bob

[@caerphillycastle]

Very good Bob. I enjoyed watching that very much. Geraint NB I dont get an update from You Tube about your videos anymore? Just happened to go to your site to check.

[@robmasterman]

Thank you very much Peter....those were the days when the world was your Oyster and fear wasn't part of our vocabulary....Bob

[@robmasterman]

Thanks David...it should all be finished in around ten days time....so watch this space......Bob

[@robmasterman]

Sorry to hear that Ger, try re-subscribing......The new bridge was moved into place today.....Bob

[@robmasterman]

Thank you for that Andrei....I wish..ha..ha! By the way, the new bridge is in place now, it has been moved in very slowly over the last 24 hours...Bob

[@robmasterman]

They've been using the 70's since the beginning of the project, but at was all during the early hours so impossible to capture....You'd better get up there soon if you want to see one...Bob

[@robmasterman]

Thanks Paul, the music was needed to uplift an otherwise flat video....Bob

[@robmasterman]

Thanks Dave, finding suitable music isn't easy. when you have little control over it....Bob

[@pwalpar]

excellent video ★★★★★

[@AndreiTupolev]

Some very interesting equipment, particularly impressive in the long shot around 3:35. Are class 70s common around that way?

[@robmasterman]

I don't know where the sections have gone, but it was planned that a section would be put on a concrete support and exhibited to the West of the new bridge.....I expect details of the official opening will be released soon....Bob

[@robmasterman]

Je ne l'espère Philippe, j'ai de la chance que je ne vis que d'environ 15 minutes, donc j'ai essayé de capturer les principaux changements en cours de route ...... Bob

[@trainmman]

I was down there filming and having a look at the bridge the other day nice to see new bridge and new extra track just sad to see 100 year old bridge gone. What did they do the the sections on bridge i hope it wasn't all for scrap because im sure there a bit of history there. Wonder what they will run when they re open the track

[@michaelharris1792]

Hello Bob, Another interesting video, please could give me the title of the music used in this inspirational footage cause I feel that we could use this on our extreme engineering project footage. Regards M.C.

[@AndreiTupolev]

Now I like that idea. Yes, Bob to cut the ribbon!

[@percomotion]

I prefer the old bridge Bob had more character. Great video tho mate thanks for sharing Kev.

[@robmasterman]

Thanks Bill, I've just passed it and it looks as though it's in it's new position...the movement has taken all day, and is far too slow to video.....Bob

[@balmesh]

Well done, Bob. A good project well carried out under great difficulties. Now all your material should be copied to the National Railway Museum. . . . . Alan

[@BitsBobsThisAndThat]

I wonder what the new structure will look like in 100 years time? We will never know. Anyway onward and upwards...Keith

[@robmasterman]

Unfortunately it was life expired, with the wooden supports in need of replacing....Bob

[@Sa59vely]

Sad slightly cinema...