Royal Albert Bridge

Brunel launches a survey cylinder into the River Tamar to investigate foundations for the future bridge.

Early work begins on Brunel's proposed railway crossing of the River Tamar before the project is later restarted.

The bow-and-string design anticipates later work at Saltash.

The tubular design influences Brunel's later Royal Albert Bridge.

The foundation for a Cornish-side pier of the Royal Albert Bridge is formally laid at Saltash.

Brunel finalises the distinctive lenticular truss design for the railway bridge across the River Tamar.

Construction begins on Brunel's Royal Albert Bridge across the River Tamar between Devon and Cornwall.

Major construction restarts on the Tamar railway bridge after the earlier preliminary phase.

Hydraulic jacks lift the first main truss to its final height about one hundred feet above the water.

A South Devon locomotive makes the first test crossing of Brunel's Royal Albert Bridge.

The Royal Albert Bridge passes its official Board of Trade inspection and load tests.

Prince Albert formally opens the Royal Albert Bridge, although illness prevents Brunel from attending.

Public railway services begin across the Royal Albert Bridge as the Cornwall Railway opens through Saltash.

The crossing marks completion of one of his final major bridge projects.

Crosses the completed Royal Albert Bridge while seriously ill.

Brunel combines tubular compression arches with suspension chains to create the bridge's distinctive bowstring structural system.

The completed bridge is recorded as costing under two hundred and twenty-five thousand pounds.

The Cornish portal carries the prominent inscription 'I K BRUNEL ENGINEER 1859' as part of the completed bridge.

The completed bridge uses two principal spans of about 135 metres each across the navigable Tamar.

Seventeen approach spans connect Brunel's two main river spans with the railway on both banks.