GWR Route: Banbury to Wolverhampton

GWR Route: North Warwickshire Line

Birmingham Snow Hill Station: gwrbsh3089

Close up showing one end of the over-girder bridge of the turntable at Snow Hill with the ground floor of the water tank building behind. The over-girder bridge was supported on a central pivot and also had a wheel on either side at each end of the bridge, which rested on a rim rail running around the edge of the shallow turntable pit. A wheel-handle operated a location locking mechanism, which could be locked ‘in’ to prevent the over-girder bridge from moving when a locomotive was being loaded or unloaded. The location locking mechanisms at either end of the over-girder bridge were linked by a long rod to allow operation from either end. Note that the handles used for manually turning the bridge are on alternate sides. The one at this end of the bridge is hinged back in its stowed position. This photograph was taken on 21st March 1963.

Robert Ferris

back