Some postcards of the now-disappeared Transporter Bridge
The bridge ran between Widnes and Runcorn over the River Mersey.
Main span 1000ft (305m),Height of span above high water 77ft (23.5m). It opened in 1905 and made its final journey on July 22nd. 1961, the day after the new high level arch bridge (the Jubilee Bridge) had been opened by HRH Princess Alexandra. It was then dismantled.
Compare this card with the next one! Same photo but different treatment, proving that 'doctoring' photos
was done long before computers and digital enhancement.
See what I mean?
The bridge construction at the Runcorn side
The bridge from the Widnes side, with the original transporter 'car'. The black conical structure inside the base of the left hand
bridge tower housed the original power supply to move the 'car' over the river.
The old original 'car'. A cabin for the foot passengers. No safety gates, just a chain to stop anything falling off!
Note the 'driver' standing by his cabin on top. I assume he had a ladder somewhere?
A Runcorn view. Think the 1920/30's now.
This is the Widnes side of the Transporter. It shows the main cable house from where the cables ran which pulled the car across the River.
Close inspection shows the little iron barrier which shut off the end of the road. It came up when the 'car' set off to cross to the other side, and went down just before it returned.
it was activated by a lever under the 'car', so automatic.
This is the "car" half way between Widnes and Runcorn. Inspection of the main girder shows it curving up slightly toward the right (check it with a ruler). This was a feature, and this bend in the girders accompanied the car on every trip across!
A common view in Runcorn in the years upto the 1970's. Vessels of up to 15000 Te. passing under the transporter and railway bridges, going to Eastham and out into the Mersey, or going up to Manchester for unloading or loading (or both!). This heavy traffic finished with the coming of large container ships, too large to get up the canal. Small vessels still can be seen occasionally passing but the powerful "tugs" once based at Runcorn have all gone. The transporter "car" is here berthed at Runcorn. It will not depart until the last tug has safely passed by. The bridge drivers would be aware of any ships approaching at all times.
The end of an Era
The last trip of the Transporter. It had brought Council officials and guests over from Widnes, led by the Chairman, Alderman Mr.John Collins, and here they are being
joined by officials from the Runcorn Council, whose Chairman, Miss Muriel Preece, (no such thing as a chairperson then), is seen going up the stairs on the 'car', ready for the return journey to Widnes
and a Civic reception "o'nt t'tother side o'water"!. I think the driver was presented with the driving key as a momento of the occasion. Part of Runcorn's fame was lost, but at least we still have "Tuppence per person per trip" to remember!"