Long Drax swing bridge

The Long Drax swing bridge was a railway bridge crossing the River Ouse with a rotating mechanism in its center section. The structure allowed boats to pass by turning the middle section sideways while the outer sections remained fixed on either bank.

Built in the 1880s for the Hull and Barnsley Railway, the structure served rail traffic for several decades. It was closed in 1968 and dismantled between 1976 and 1977, leaving only stone foundations along the riverbanks.

The bridge marked a period of railway expansion in Yorkshire when regional communities became more connected through rail services. It supported both passenger travel and freight movement, witnessing the transformation of rural economies during the industrial age.

The stone abutments and piers of the former bridge can be viewed from walking paths along the River Ouse. The site is most revealing when water levels are low, allowing better views of the remaining structural elements.

The rotating mechanism was powered by two three-cylinder hydraulic motors with power stored in an accumulator system within the central pier. This advanced setup was typical of late 1800s bridge engineering.

GPS coordinates: 53.74433,-0.96183

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:13