Listing

Steam crane and double girder bridge

A navvy poses with a steam powered crane beside a double lattice girder underbridge built to carry the Last Main Line across the River Soar, Leicester. Brought to the site by contractor's temporary railway, this is one of approximately forty steam cranes used during the construction of the London Extension. With their capacity to lift and manoeuvre large weights, these machines proved an invaluable asset for bridge building in particular. Henry Lovatt & Co. was the firm contracted to build this section of the Railway (Contract No.2, Leake to Aylestone). See on Route Map