GCV7VR The Sounding Arch (Traditional Cache) in United Kingdom created by Da Rubber Chicken

This cache has been archived.

Long Man: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it.

If you wish to email me please send your email via my profile (click on my name) and quote the cache name and number.

Andy
The Long Man
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GCV7VR ▼

A cache by Da Rubber Chicken Message this owner

Hidden : 4/4/2006

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

Maidenhead Railway Bridge is a railway bridge carrying the main line of the Great Western Railway over the River Thames in Maidenhead, Berkshire, England. The bridge was designed by the Great Western's famous engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The railway is carried across the river on two brick arches, which at the time of building were the widest and flattest in the world. Each span is 128 feet (39 m), with a rise of only 24 feet (7 m). The Thames towpath passes under the right-hand arch (facing upstream), which is also known as the Sounding Arch, because of its spectacular echo. It was completed in 1838.

It has been claimed that the board of GWR did not believe that the arches would stay up under the weight of the trains and ordered Brunel to leave the wooden formwork used to contruct the arches in place. However, Brunel simply lowered the formwork slightly so that it had no structural effect, but appeared to be in place. Later, when the formwork was washed away in floods, but the bridge remained, the strength of the arches was accepted.

As built, Maidenhead Railway Bridge carried two lines of Brunel's broad gauge track. Subsequently the bridge has been widened, and now carries the four lines of standard gauge track that make up the Great Western Main Line out of London Paddington Station.