Sliding Railway Bridges and the Mighty Trent

4th Aug - Maud's Swing Bridge to Keadby, South Yorkshire Navigations, 8 miles 0 locks - Today - Keadby to Torksey Lock, River Trent 29 miles 1 lock

I totally enjoyed the remoteness of yesterdays 8 miles, the only company was a railway line and a few brave fishermen who had walked miles to find their ideal spot. Quite a few swing bridges, all operated with a BW key bar one of them. The land was flat, and you could see for miles with just the odd farm or two in the distance. A most interesting point was this sliding railway swing bridge just before reaching Keadby.

It was built in 1915, and is thought to be one of only three of its kind in Europe. Winches slide the bridge deck sideways to clear the canal, and wire cables and pullies put it back in place after the boats have passed.

We moored at Keadby, and after tea sought out the nearest watering hole to raise our spirits for the big day to come.

Early start for me this morning, seeing the lock keeper at 8am, and by 9am we were on our way down the mighty Trent. Much bigger than the Ouse or the Thames, so were the coasters up from the Humber and North Sea! This was our view as we left the lock at Keadby

Now I thought the Ouse was a fast river, but now I know different, the Trent is very quick. Up with the tide we went, a spring one too. I learnt quickly how to negotiate the bends at cracking speed, at times the boat lurched under the pressure, I sure could have done with some camber on the river!

Passing through Gainsborough and round hairpin bends at a speed of probably 15-20mph by Vic's reckoning was certainly a thrill probably never to be repeated!

We managed to get hold of a Sissions Chart of the Trent, excellent information, landmarks, shoals and which arches to take under bridges. Makes things a lot easier when you know where TO go and where NOT TO go. Suddenly we were at Torksey, and still the tide was running up river. We covered the 29 miles in 2 hours 55 mins, it doesn't take much working out the average speed!

Relaxing afternoon here at Torksey, the sun has come out and it's lovely and warm. Tomorrow we catch the incoming tide again at 12.30pm for the last stage of the tidal Trent up to Cromwell Lock and from there make our way to Nottingham with a few days moored up somewhere in between.