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Britannia Bridge closedby fire
FIREbadlydamagedthe Britannia tubular bridgeoverthe MenaiStrait on the night of May23/24,causingan indefinite closureto all traffic.To protect it from the weather,the structurehad a roof of asbestossheetson a timber frameand it wasthis that caughtfire. Theheatof the fire distorted girdersat both end of the bridge,and causedthe centrespanto sagin the middle.
SevernValley Railway reopened
A LIGHTrailwaytransferorder, transferringpowersto operatethe SevernValleyRailwaybetween Bridgnorthand HamptonLoade from BritishRailwaysto the Severn ValleyRailwayCo.Ltd.,wassignedby the MinisterofTransporton May20, enablingthe publictrain serviceon the line to be inauguratedon May23.The line is open on SaturdaysS, undaysa, nd BankHolidays,with three trains each way on Saturdayafternoonand four eachway on Sundayand BankHoliday. Overthe opening weekend3,721 fare-payingpassengerswere carriedon the line.
Eustonrebuilding complete
OPENINGof the "BufferStop"bar at EustonStationon May 11 markedthe completionof the £15million rebuilding project there.The"Buffer Stop';the internaldecorof which includesa buffer stop beamwith steel
TheRailwayMagazinehasdiscovered that senioremployeesof a numberof train operating companiesregularly consultthe OPCRailAtlasand Quail trackdiagrambooksbecausethey have not beenissuedwith mapsor other documentationshowingin suchdetail the positionsof platforms,junctions, sidingsand crossovers.