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Riveters at work on the Rugby 'Birdcage' viaduct.

The complexity of the girder bridges and viaducts on the London Extension is shown to good effect in this picture. It was taken during the construction of the lattice girder viaduct over the LNWR line at Rugby, and shows a riveter at work. The bed of the bridge is littered with nuts, bolts, rivets and tools; and there are various wooden chocks positioned in certain places. The bridge was made up of three spans, and two of these survive today. The bridge was built by Topham, Jones & Railton - the contractor responsible for the construction of the line between Aylestone and Rugby. In more recent years, the bridge has become known as the 'Birdcage' for obvious reasons. Count the rivets! See on Route Map