Rail Bridges (Forth Rail Bridge)

Rocker

Rocker

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So I travel over the Forth rail bridge daily for work, in this recently very windy weather I was thinking to myself going over - could this train get blown off? It has obviously never happened and would probably take a major gust, but it got me thinking as I we were going over and the train was blowing from side to side!

Random thought I know, just interesting as its often the Forth road bridge has restrictions on it due to wind, I know a train is a massivly heavy bit of kit!
 
Doesn't the Forth road only get closed because it's a Suspension bridge? the rail bridge is a Cantilever desgin so is inherently more stable. I'm sure that's what I was told by a structural engineer once.
 
TheMightyTen said:
Doesn't the Forth road only get closed because it's a Suspension bridge? the rail bridge is a Cantilever desgin so is inherently more stable. I'm sure that's what I was told by a structural engineer once.
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Yes I would imagine so, when the wind is really strong, but there are often speed restrictions and 'cars only' restrictions.
 
I would think its theoretically possible yes.

There is nothing shielding the trains from the force of the wind.


That's not quite a gust but... yikes.
 
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The approach spans look the most exposed. From an easterly or westerly wind direction the train will be subject to the worst winds however as you say the weight of the train will resist even hurricane force winds over the width of the track base. They would probably stop operating above beaufort scale eight or nine though
 
When the east coast train stops on the bridge at Newcastle and you cant actually see the ground out the window, just the plunge to the water below. That makes my ******** retract right back inside.
 
nkata said:
The approach spans look the most exposed. From an easterly or westerly wind direction the train will be subject to the worst winds however as you say the weight of the train will resist even hurricane force winds over the width of the track base. They would probably stop operating above beaufort scale eight or nine though
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I'm not aware of the operations ever being cancled due to high windows on the bridge.
 
the forth road bridge has numbers of cable cracked and still slow processing for repair until the 2nd forth crossing is complete so old bridge will use for cycle and bus lane.. ive drove over bridge numbers of times. the new bridge started to build until 2016 opening, yes the rail crossing has strong stand from any type of wind that for years.
 
Rocker said:
So I travel over the Forth rail bridge daily for work, in this recently very windy weather I was thinking to myself going over - could this train get blown off? It has obviously never happened and would probably take a major gust, but it got me thinking as I we were going over and the train was blowing from side to side!

Random thought I know, just interesting as its often the Forth road bridge has restrictions on it due to wind, I know a train is a massivly heavy bit of kit!
Click to expand...

Trains will stop but it would take winds of well well in excess of 100mph at a direct right angle to topple a train so we are unlikely to see it. Recent winds topped 100mph and they still trooped across. The bridge does close after very high wind speeds but in any event it was overengineered for it's severely harsh and aggressive environment.

I wouldn't worry too much on that thing.
 
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