Pamban Viaduct
The Pamban Viaduct was a vital link in the Pamban Branch Railway, a metre gauge(MG) single line completed in 1914 by the South Indian Railway Company(SIR) [1].
The line linked the SIR network in India at Madura with the Island of Pambam, from where there was a ferry connection to Ceylon. The line involved the construction of the Pamban Viaduct across the submerged reef lying between the mainland of India and the Island of Panbam, (also known as Rameswaram Island) [2].
The Pambam Viaduct was 6776ft (2065 m) in length, a single metre gauge (MG) track which included the "Scherzer Rolling Lift Bridge" to permit shipping to use the Pamban Pass passage.
The viaduct was designed by Robert White, the SIR Company’s Consulting Engineer in London. And the bridge was constructed in England under his supervision. Work started on the viaduct in June 1911 and completed in June 1913.
The book published by the Southern Railway Heritage Centre "Marvels of the South Indian Railway 1859-1951", [3] on pages 63 to 72 gives superb photographs and technical details of the lifting bridge and the viaduct.
References
- ↑ Wikipedia "Pamban_Bridge"; Retrieved 13 Dec 2015
- ↑ Institution of Civil Engineers "Minutes of the Proceedings" Volume 199, Issue 1915, 01 January 1915 , pages 377 –387; Retrieved 13 Dec 2015
- ↑ Southern Railway Heritage Centre "Marvels of the South Indian Railway 1859-1951”