1878 Bouch’s Forth Bridge

 

Bouch designs for Forth Bridge

But even before the Tay Bridge was operational, the North British pressed ahead with plans to bridge the Forth at Queensferry. Bouch designed a rail suspension bridge with a central pier at Inchgarvie (island), and making use of the heights of North and South Queensferry to ensure navigation clearance. A company was formed to carry through the construction, and to separately maintain the resultant structure. Consequently, the Forth Bridge Railway Company, comprising North British -, the North Eastern -, the Midland – and the Great Northern – Railway Companies, all with a vested interest in the success of the venture, was in place; with a management board, consisting of two nominees from each member company.

On the 30th of September 1878, the foundation stone of the projected Forth Railway Bridge was laid at the south-west end of the isle of Inchgarvie, by Margaret Bouch, wife of the engineer.

Bouch’s Foundation Works . . .

. . . still visible today