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Looking towards Dundee

by Amelia
The Tay Bridge (or Tay Rail Bridge) is a railway bridge about two and a quarter miles (three and a half kilometres) long that spans the Firth of Tay in Scotland, between the city of Dundee and Wormit in Fife. It was opened on 20 June 1887.

This 'new' double-track bridge was designed by William Henry Barlow. It was built by William Arrol & Co. 18 metres (59 ft) upstream of, and parallel to, the original bridge. The foundation stone was laid on 6 July 1883 and construction involved 25,000 metric tons of iron and steel, 70,000 metric tons of concrete, ten million bricks (weighing 37,500 metric tons and three million rivets. Fourteen men lost their lives during its construction, most by drowning.

The original Tay Bridge was designed by noted railway engineer Thomas Bouch, It was a lattice-grid design, combining cast and wrought iron. The bridge was opened for passenger traffic on 1 June 1878. On the night of 28 December 1879 at 7.15 pm, the bridge collapsed after its central spans gave way during high winter gales. A train with six carriages carrying seventy-five passengers and crew, crossing at the time of the collapse, plunged into the icy waters of the Tay. All seventy-five were lost.

The stumps of the original bridge piers, seen here, are still visible above the surface of the Tay even at high tide.

Tay Bridge south
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42 comments

Ulrich John said:

Like the view very much, Amelia. Really an imposant bridge !
8 years ago

Amelia replied to Ulrich John:

Thank you, Ulrich. I was born in Dundee and lived in The Kingdom of Fife, where this photo is taken from, until I was 12 years old.
8 years ago

Jaap van 't Veen said:

Beautiful composition with a well chosen pov.
(thank you for the info)
8 years ago

Amelia replied to Jaap van 't Veen:

Many thanks, Jaap. I have been across this bridge several times on the train, but for many years.
8 years ago

Marie-claire Gallet said:

Gorgeous perspective, Amelia !!!!!!!!!
8 years ago

Amelia replied to Marie-claire Gallet:

Thank you, Marie-claire. I love this part of Scotland as I was brought up near here until I was 12 year old. It isn't the most beautiful part of the country by any means.
8 years ago

Cämmerer zu Nau said:

Gut gesehen und so per Foto an uns weitergegeben. Wunderbare Aufnahme und Beschreibung.
8 years ago ( translate )

Ruesterstaude said:

Schöne Perspektive!
8 years ago ( translate )

LutzP said:

Very interesting (and a fine shot). There is a German poem by Theodor Fontane about that disaster

www.handmann.phantasus.de/g_brueckamtay.html
8 years ago

Amelia replied to LutzP:

It's amazing that this disaster was recorded by a German poet, Lutz. Unfortunately my German is very basic so it went over my head. It has also been recorded by a Scottish poet, William Topaz McGonagall, who has been widely hailed as the writer of the worst poetry in the English language. ;-)
Here's the link:
www.mcgonagall-online.org.uk/gems/the-tay-bridge-disaster

There are some interesting illustrations on the page, and a newspaper article.
8 years ago

John Cass said:

Excellent shot, great pov and perspective.
8 years ago ( translate )

Edward Bowthorpe said:

Brilliant and so interesting Amelia,eddie,xx
8 years ago ( translate )

Daniela Brocca said:

A sad history.
8 years ago

Boro said:

Superbe compo
8 years ago ( translate )

Steve D said:

A lovely shot here Amelia and fantastic clear detail when viewed full size ... certainly looks like the new structure is far more robust than the sad remains of the old bridge

Best wishes ... Steve
8 years ago