Innovative or derivative? The design of the bridge structures on the world's first intercity railway between Liverpool and Manchester
Author(s): |
Mike Chrimes
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Medium: | conference paper |
Language(s): | English |
Conference: | 6th International Congress on Construction History (6ICCH 2018), July 9-13, 2018, Brussels, Belgium |
Published in: | Building Knowledge, Constructing Histories [2 vols.] |
Page(s): | 457-464 |
Year: | 2018 |
Abstract: | The Liverpool and Manchester Railway is well-known as the world's first intercity railway, introducing a global transport revolution. Most research has focused on the triumph of the steam locomotive in the Rainhill trials. In comparison the design and construction of the civil engineering infrastructure have been neglected. The line featured over 60 bridges and viaducts. This paper considers the relative role of George Stephenson, the railway's Engineer, his assistants and external consultants in developing the designs, identifying where there was innovation. The Railway was a prototype and its methodology for bridge design was unsustainable for the main phase of railway construction. |