The Sodor Suspension Bridge is a large suspension bridge that proudly spans a gorge and is a major landmark on the Island of Sodor. According to former Railway Consultant Sam Wilkinson's 2014 map of Sodor, it is located along the Main Line between Crosby and Wellsworth, crossing the Reagh.
History
The bridge was first introduced in the special Calling All Engines!, where it is described as being "up in the hills". When a large storm swept the Island of Sodor, the bridge collapsed due to the high winds. Following the storm, Thomas was heavily involved in its reconstruction; first bringing workmen to the site in Annie and Clarabel, and later bringing one section of the bridge's deck to the site and helping to lower it into place.
In the afternoon, Thomas was due to collect paint for the bridge, however a trick from Diesel led to the paint being spilled over Thomas instead. After Thomas convinced the steam and diesel engines to work together, Percy and Mavis to collected fresh paint for the bridge, allowing it to be completed in time for the summer holidays and the opening of the Sodor Airport.[1]
Many years later, the bridge suffered another partial collapse shortly before Gordon was due to pass over the bridge with the Express. Thankfully, Stephen was able to warn Gordon and stop him before he reached the bridge. During its reconstruction, a slow order was placed for trains which had to cross the undamaged section of the bridge.[2]
Livery
The Sodor Suspension Bridge was painted green from the start, but as the years passed, it became badly rusted with specs of green paint. After its rebuild from a terrible storm, the bridge was repainted back to green and has remained so ever since.
Appearances
Books
- 2005 - Railway Rhymes and Calling All Engines!
Video Games
- 2005 - Calling All Engines!
- 2016 - Magical Tracks
Trivia
- The bridge is based on the Clifton Suspension Bridge in England. Designed and constructed by the iconic Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the bridge carries a road over the Avon Gorge and the River Avon, linking the town of Clifton in Bristol to the town of Leigh Woods in Somerset.
- In real life, railway suspension bridges are rare as their design makes them largely unsuitable for the weight of heavy trains. While some exist in other countries, there have been no railway suspension bridges in the United Kingdom since the Surtees Rail Bridge was rebuilt as a more conventional rail bridge in 1844.
- The bridge's position on Sam Wilkinson's map of Sodor takes the place originally held by the Viaduct on David Mitton's maps of Sodor from the first four series. Accordingly, the Viaduct is re-situated in its original position from The Railway Series, near Cronk.
Merchandise
- Motor Road and Rail (discontinued)
- Wooden Railway (collapsing and extendable versions; both discontinued)
- Capsule Plarail (Japan, Australia and Korea only)
- Motorized
References
- ↑ T&F Calling All Engines!
- ↑ T&F S19 #13 "Slow Stephen"
Locomotives | Steam | Thomas | Henry | Gordon | James | Donald and Douglas | Emily | Murdoch | Molly | Nia | Rebecca |
---|---|---|
Diesel | BoCo | |
Former | Edward | |
Rolling Stock | Passenger | Annie and Clarabel | Emily's Coaches | Green Express Coaches | Red Express Coaches |
Former | The Spiteful Brake Van | Slip Coaches | |
Trains | Passenger | The Express | The Local | The Great Waterton Special |
Goods | The Flying Kipper | The Midnight Goods | |
Infrastructure | Stations | Tidmouth | Lower Tidmouth** | Knapford | Crosby | Wellsworth | Maron | Cronk** | Killdane** | Balladrine** | Kellaby** | Whispering Woods Halt** | Kellsthorpe Road** | Crovan's Gate | Great Waterton** | Vicarstown | Barrow-in-Furness** |
Sheds | Tidmouth Sheds | Tidmouth Yard Sheds | Knapford Sheds | Crovan's Gate Sheds* | Vicarstown Sheds | |
Tunnels and Bridges | Tidmouth Tunnel (South) | Henry's Tunnel | Crosby Tunnel** | Crosby Bridge* | The Viaduct | Sodor Suspension Bridge** | Maron Bridge* | Standard Gauge and Narrow Gauge Viaduct | Vicarstown Bridge** |