This video shows the moment when a brand new bridge was connected to an historic railway line.
Two new 40 tonne steel structures, each spanning 50 feet, were lowered into place on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway this week.
They will carry the trains over Eller Beck at Goathland, replacing the old structures after 150 years of service.
Contractors VolkerLaser started work at the Goathland site in December, with the team dismantling and removing the old structure and preparing for the installation of the new bridge.
The NYMR’s in-house Permanent Way team will relay the ballast and tracks ready for the 2022 season.
The bridge work forms part of the NYMR’s £10 million ‘Yorkshire’s Magnificent Journey’ project, to ensure future generations can enjoy the 180-year-old line.
It has been made possible thanks to generous funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the European Union, NYMR’s Local Enterprise Partnership and kind donations from many supporters.
Tim Bruce, director of civil engineering at NYMR, said: “We’ve enjoyed a really good working relationship with VolkerLaser, who were able to step in following the collapse last summer of engineering firm Cleveland Bridge, which was originally scheduled to carry out the work.
“We are now able to press ahead on schedule to reopen on April 4th.”
Jim Mawson of VolkerLaser, said: “This week represents the culmination of many hours of planning and preparation, and it is fantastic to see the new bridges being installed on time for NYMR following the removal of the life-expired bridges in January.”
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