Brymbo iron bridges

Many of the bridges across the Montgomery Canal bear the name "Brymbo". Why? Because the ironwork was made there.


Brymbo is a place in Wales, near Wrecsam (or Wrexham) where John "Iron Mad" Wilkinson set up an ironworks. Production from Blast Furnace No. 1 started in 1796. "No. 1" continued in operation for an astonishing 98 years - what factory building these days could possibly last that long?


All the images above are of the amazing iron bridge at Abermule. It spans both the Montgomery Canal and the River Severn. Over the canal it's a simple girder span, but over the river an elegant arch bears the words "This second iron bridge constructed in the county of Montgomeryshire 1852".


But there are several other Brymbo bridges over the canal. I can't work out which bridge number the above is, but it was built in 1853.


This one (below) is definitely Bridge 153, though. The other side of the bridge the canal dries up and becomes derelict for the last couple of miles to Newtown.


This bridge looks a bit low!