The Express.
London, England, 1847-10-26 00:00:00

OPENING OF THE LYNN AND ELY

RAILWAY.

The line from Lynn to Ely, where it joins the
Eastern Counties, was opened yesterday, and twenty-
nine first and second class carriages started from the
Lynn statism, at half-pant ten o'clock, filled with ladies and
gentlemen, comprising many of the principal inhabitants of
that large mercantile town, to pay a visit to Ely. The
terrines, which are painted chocolate, certainly present a
gay and handsome appearance ; they were decorated with a
profusion of union-jacks, and there wee a band of music in
front to enliven the mese. A was concourse of per-
sona had amembled at the Lynn station to witems
the departure of the first train; and upon its arrival
at the Ouse-bridge, the company slighted to examine
it, it being considered • work of immense strength
and art. At half-past 12 the train reached Ely, where a
large number of persons had assembled to view its arrival.
The visitors then proceeded to the Ball-inn, where the di-
rectors had ordered a substantial luncheon.
At half-put 3 the train started from the Ely station on its
return to Lynn, and eta little after I a sumptuous entei tain-
'tient was given at the Town-hall, at which the Mayor pre-
sided, and to which H. Lacy, Esq., M P., Mr. Berme, M.P.,
Mr. Coke, M.P., Mr. Hudson, M.P., Mr. Waddington,
M.P. (chairman, and via-chairman of the Eastern Counties
Company), Lord 0. Bentitick, Lord Jocelyn, and the di-
rectors of the East Anglian and Eastern Counties Companies,
had received invitation. Brit the dinner took place at se late
en hour that we must defer the report until to-morrow.
" '

The bridge over this Ouse is corUidered a most extraordi-
nary work of art, and is • triumphant speeimen of eurpeardy.
The government inspector, Capt. Wynne, It 8., viewed tie
works last week, and expressed himself perfectly satisfied
His examination is stated to have been very close and severe.
his attention being meet particularly directed to the bridge:
over the Ouse and the Wilsey, the engineer being J. 6.
Valentine, Esq., and the resident engineer, Mr. House.
larder.

For the better understanding of the construction of these
bridges, we give the following details:—The bridge and
viaduct over the Wissey is 103 yards in length, and consists
of one opening of 70 feet spin over the water way, similar in
construction to the bridge over the river Ouse, and seven dde
openings of 30 feet span. The viaduct over the river Ouse is
150 yards long, and consists of ten aide openings of 30
feet span each, with a single span over the water way
of 121 feet 6 inches. The method adopted to sup-
port the roadway over this great space is by sus•
pending the platform from three timber bows, each
formed of 3-inch deals, firmly united together by oak to- I
nails ; the suspension rods are of wrought iron of the very
best meterel and workmanship ; each rod has been proved to
be equal to a strain of 20 tons, and as there are 72 of these
rods, the weight they are capable of supporting is 1,440 tons;
but the greatest weight which they will be required to carry
will sots:teed 310 tone—the platform itself being 160 tons, and
the greatest load which can be placed upon it being about 160
tons; but even this weight is never likely to come upon the
bridge, except for the sake of experiment. The piers ups
which the superstructure rests are built of Yorkshire Amok
the foundations resting upon the solid gault at a depth a
about 30 feet below the top of the banks. The most minute
and careful adineuuremente were taken by the inspector to
•

ascertain the strength of this bridge. Four locomotive en-
gines and tenders, and five waggons loaded with iron, were
placed upon it at the rams time, but scarcely any deflection
of the beams was perceptible, and whether the trains were at
rest on the bridge, or pawing over at full speed, there wu
not the least perceptible difference observed.