Stanley Dock Bridge (prototype)

This is a "Bascule" bridge built in 1932, a little north of the centre of Liverpool.

Bascule bridges are a type of lifting bridge where the lifting section rocks back on a curve. It pivots on the centre point of that curve, but the pivot point moves during the action, and indeed the bridge is raised by moving the pivot.

This is the view from the north. When it lifts, it moves away from the view point.

An the view from the south. From here you mostly see the control room, and, I guess, the mechanism is inside.

You can just about see the rocker on the right side. Here is a better view.

The structure under the building. You can see something that looks like a spindle to the right, but now is not used. I am not sure if the bridge still has the capability to lift, but it maybe that it is a different mechanism.

The beam top left is where the pivot point runs along, and I guess the circular bit at the right end of it is also mechanism.

Above the rocker is a huge counter weight. I would guess it is not solid iron, due to the expense. Filling it with sand would make it easy to add or remove a bit to get it weighted right, but who knows?