Publication Account

Date 2013

Event ID 967180

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Publication Account

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/967180

TAY RAIL BRIDGE

The first Tay Bridge (NO 39162 27844, NO32NE 17) was a single-track lattice-girder bridge designed by Sir Thomas Bouch, proponent of the idea that contemporary structures were over-designed. Built in 1871-8 it was at two miles the longest bridge in the world at that time. It is axial to Cox’s Stack, and James Cox was a principal funder. On December 28th 1879 a force ten gale brought down the high girders and a train carrying 75 people plunged into the River Tay. The Inquiry into the incident blamed insufficient cross-bracings and fastenings, but the design meant its fall was inevitable. The stumps of the old piers remain visible downstream as eloquent reminders of the cost that can come with engineering advance.

M Watson, 2013