from The Brunel's kingdom Collection of Drawings.
Designed by Brunel The Royal Albert Bridge was officially opened in 1859 by Prince Albert. Known as “The Gateway to Cornwall” this “bowstring” suspension bridge was designed for the Cornwall Railway Company to carry their trains, at a height of a hundred feet, across the River Tamar at Saltash. The unusual but practical design of this bridge based on the principle of a suspension bridge is the only one of that type that carries main line trains. It is believed that one of the chains employed in the suspension structure came from Bristol’s own Clifton Suspension Bridge . This elegantly designed bridge cost £225,000. It is considered to be one of Brunel’s finest achievements. Isambard Kingdom Brunel died four months after the bridge was opened at the young age of 53.