Talk:Tees Transporter Bridge

Untitled 1
I’m doing all about the transporter bridge. This is because it is local and that I see it everyday on the way to and from school. I would also like to find out more so the next few paragraphs should help me. I have also chosen it because not only is it local but the fact that I have never seen it up close and so I do wish sometime I will see it and this will help me respect it even more. The bridge is blue and is made from steel. It can carry up to a maximum of 600 people at a time. You drive or walk into a cradle that is suspended beneath the main span of the bridge and which carries its load of cars and people across the Tees and lifts them a massive 160ft above the river in just two and a half minutes. It even featured in the film Billy Elliott. The Transporter Bridge is the best known landmark in Teesside. Its famous shape is seen for miles around Middlesbrough. But don’t expect to drive across the bridge though - you are carried across the water in a cradle suspended beneath the main space of the bridge. It is the largest working bridge of its kind in the world —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.104.69.127 (talk • contribs) 19:24, 1 November 2005 (UTC)

Untitled 2
How much does the bridge weigh?

how much costs a trip
Y23 (talk) 11:02, 2 August 2009 (UTC)


 * 60 pence for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists, all other vehicles a pound twenty. Kar98 (talk) 13:26, 12 July 2011 (UTC)

As very young kids, living in Grangetown, we often went to Seaton Carew by bus - at the time, it was three buses, plus a trip across the Transporter - not sure how much the buses were - we were still using old money back then - but I think the fare on the actual Transporter was 1d (one old penny) for pedestrians - I think it might have been a tanner (6d - six old pence) for a car.

One bus from Grangetown to Middlesbrough - for decades, we were spoilt for choice - almost any bus went to Middlesbrough - might have said Stockton, Darlington or somewhere beyond - but it did go via Middlesbrough - then a Corporation bus down to The Transporter - a bit of a walk, otherwise, and, with nanna, it took us ages to get anywhere - across the Transporter to Port Clarence, then a maroon-and-yellow Hartlepool Corporation bus to Seaton Carew - then the same in reverse order back home - when we later went decimal, it became 1p.

From some time in the early 70s, after we went decimal, on the first Tuesday in August, up until around 1980, we went there with an organisation of which my father was a member - they hired a fleet of Cleveland Transit (formerly Corporation) buses - it would have been very inconvenient to have them all crossing The Transporter, so they went across Newport Bridge.

Haven't crossed it much, recently.

Arthurvasey (talk) 13:51, 11 December 2012 (UTC)

Name?
Can we please discuss this properly rather than fiddle with it?I am sure it has all been in good faith but, as I write, we have the completely ridiculous situation that the article's name does not match that shown in bold in the article, and the article has the unfortunate qualifier "as it is correctly known" which I fear may read like a copout. I am entirely unconcerned as to which name it ends up with, but I do feel strongly that it must be done properly by consensus and that the article name and text must make sense and be consistent. Of course there's always room for explaining what alternative names there are for something, but please let's get it right. Thanks and best wishes DBaK (talk) 22:22, 11 October 2009 (UTC)
 * The references in the page that I looked at give the name as per the title, Jarnelljones changed this for the second time quoting a flickr page as proof for change. This is an image showing the name specified by the user. Keith D (talk) 23:47, 11 October 2009 (UTC)
 * Local council information describes it as Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge as well as Tees Transporter Bridge. That's why I included both names in the first sentence. Hope this solves the problem. Encyo (talk) 22:19, 13 April 2011 (UTC)
 * C'mon, guys! Who on earth EVER refers to the Transporter as the 'Tranny'? It could only ever be a lazy schoolyard slang word and has no place at all in an encyclodedic article; it's like calling the Hill Street Centre - 'The Hilly', or the Newport Bridge - 'The Newy'. Such words are infantile and crass; at best they could only be described as local argot. I say let's remove reference to 'The Tranny'. It has other meanings as well you know! — Preceding unsigned comment added by Francish7 (talk • contribs) 07:50, 14 April 2011 (UTC)
 * Yes, Tranny has indeed other meanings... But it's not up to us to decide whether local names are 'lazy schoolyard slang', 'infantile and crass' or not. What does matter is whether it's an often used local name and in which way it is used. A quick search on the internet reveales many local references to the "Tranny". I list just five:
 * 1. A community website for the North East describes Tees bridges and neutrally refers to the Transporter Bridge as the Tranny (this website is listed as reference for the local names in the article).
 * 2. The Tees Rowing Club mentions (matter-of-factly or even fondly) rowing up to the "Tranny" and back as a training trip.
 * 3. A gazette article re. the centenary of the Transporter drew a comment from a local referring to the bridge as the Tranny in a very neutral manner.
 * 4. The Riverside Business Park Middlesbrough mentions "Tranny" as one of the related terms on the page dedicated to the bridge.
 * 5. www.visitmiddlesbrough.com invites people to contribute towards a book celebrating a century of the Transporter Bridge, "often affectionately referred to as ‘The Tranny’."
 * It seems this nickname is quite old and never used pejoratively. If anything, these websites show the fondness expressed by local people when they abbreviate 'their' Transporter to Tranny. Encyo (talk) 17:03, 14 April 2011 (UTC)
 * "It seems ..."? Original research is not permitted - where are the official references to the name "Tranny"? There aren't any. I've lived in Middlesbrough all my life - even used to travel across the Transporter to work. The only name locals, who speak English, call it is 'The Transporter'. This article has to make sense fom New Jersey to Japan. What's the point of teaching people a name that's not recognised even by the locals = me? The so called references provided so far don't measure up to anything like official references - more like anecdotal writing. This is either a serious article, or a fifth former's school rag, full of slang and in-jokes ... which do you prefer? (Francish7) (talk) Francis Hannaway 21:44, 14 April 2011 (UTC) - ... in your reference No. 3 from the Remember When section of the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette, it states quite clearly in the article, "The 'Transporter', as everyone around here calls it, ..." Francis Hannaway 21:51, 14 April 2011 (UTC)
 * It was never my intention to do original research. I merely tried to show you that your interpretation of the name Tranny being a pejorative term is not shared by locals on the internet. As far as "official reference" go, reference 5. originates from Middlesbrough council, mentioning both the Transporter and the Tranny: The book’s author, Dave Allan, plans to include the Transporter’s history and numerous tales from its past and present. But he also wants human interest stories from the people of Teesside who have ridden on, walked across, climbed and even bungeed from a bridge often affectionately referred to as ‘The Tranny’. Both local names are mentioned as such in the article. Kind regards, Encyo (talk) 15:17, 15 April 2011 (UTC)
 * You know there is a difference between 'locals on the internet' and official encyclopedic sources. I even know Dave Allen - very well ... I've even bought a second hand car from him. But, for a speaker of English as a first language, I can tell you that Tranny is as infantile as calling the Ryksmuseum 'The Rykie'. If you went to the tourist office in Middlesbrough and asked for directions to the 'Tranny' they wouldn't have a clue what you were talking about. Why don't we agree that both the Tees Transporter Bridge and The Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge are officially used names, and that it is often referred to as 'The Transporter' (because that would be understood by locals and in the tourist office)? You have to admit that I'm more likely to know local sentiment and acceptable English, living here, as I am, in Middlesbrough. Could you accept that as a compromise? Francis Hannaway 17:52, 15 April 2011 (UTC)
 * Thanks for your perspicuous arguments. Moreover, I enjoyed reading about you buying a car from Dave Allen.
 * 1. As far as the Rijksmuseum (your spelling is incorrect) is concerned, I did a quick search on the internet like I did with Tranny. For Tranny in conjunction with Transporter and Middlesbrough, the search showed 58 hits. Five of these were listed above. For Rijkie in conjunction with Rijksmuseum and Amsterdam, there were none except two hits that showed Rijkie without any connection to the Rijksmuseum. Spelled as Rykie/Ryksmuseum there were no hits at all. So, your assertion is not tenable.
 * 2. However, I think you only tried to explain that Tranny is infantile. But the websites I mentioned contradict your opinion. They do not paint a picture of infantile use, but a neutral or affectionate manner of speaking. Nevertheless, you are not convinced. You simply seem to ignore the usage as shown in several 'grown-up' (not infantile) sources. Why?
 * 3. Should the way you suppose the tourist office would react or your individual opinion as a local prevail over other local usage as shown by the references?
 * 4. In my view, an encyclopedia may include a local pet name if it is used regularly and by an official source such as a Middlesbrough council website. Maybe the compromise can be found in the way this abbreviation is presented in the text. How about this: Locally the bridge is simply known as the Transporter, informally some also affectionately refer to it as ‘The Tranny’ (with the two supporting references). Is this acceptable? Kind regards, Encyo (talk) 20:37, 15 April 2011 (UTC)
 * It is no compromise at all - the references that you propose are feedback comments from people who, for the best part, wouldn't score very high in an English exam. It's like calling Queen Elizabeth, Betty Windsor. An encyclopedic article should stick to real names. If you persist in needing poor English to be in the article, why don't we agree to move it from the first paragraph? You could have a section further down the page entitled, 'Nicknames used by Middlesbrough people who don't speak English very well'. Francis Hannaway 12:59, 17 April 2011 (UTC)
 * Thanks for answering my question 2. It seems your answer to my question 3 is that people using the abbreviation Tranny 'don't speak English very well'. Does this also apply to the Middlesbrough council website?
 * You mainly seem to object to mentioning the nickname in the first paragraph. My suggestion for a compromise would be 1) to leave the line about the bridge being simply called The Transporter as it is, and 2) move the part about The Tranny to a heading Trivia: The Transporter Bridge was locally often affectionately referred to as ‘The Tranny’, with a reference to the Middlesbrough council website. Kind regards, Encyo (talk) 16:05, 19 April 2011 (UTC)
 * I think that including it in a section called 'Trivia' is a great idea! The 'Middlesbrough Council' website that you refer to isn't one that gives official information - it's run by the 'Tourism Team', which provides journalistic articles to encourage tourism. The opinions given aren't really the official view of Middlesbrough Council. In addition to that, I would say that they themselves are not using the term 'Tranny', but instead are referring to Dave Allen's use of the word. 'Visit Middlesbrough' has a main page about the Tansporter (Visit Middlesbrough Happy Clappy Tourist Team) which doesn't use the word 'Tranny'; it in turn, refers to Middlesbrough Council's official information page about the Transporter Bridge (Middlesbrough Council official information) which also does not use such vulgar language. All things considered, however, I am very happy to accept your compromise of including it in a trivia section. Best wishes - it's been a pleasure talking to you Francis Hannaway (talk) Francis Hannaway 11:34, 21 April 2011 (UTC)
 * Likewise. I added the Trivia section as discussed. Kind regards, Encyo (talk) 15:38, 21 April 2011 (UTC)

/* pame */ I am a local who used to use The Transporter, many years ago, for day trips to  Seaton. Some years ago, I took my children on to The Transporter just for the experience. I have never, ever heard anyone refer to The Transporter as the Tranny.
 * As a former 'local', I have also never heard of the bridge being known as "The Tranny". The sources referred to both on this page and on the main article no longer exist so I've removed the claim. If anyone can find a reliable source for the name "Tranny" - and not a site that has just taken the claim from Wikipedia and repeated it - then please feel free to add it back to the article. 86.170.140.8 (talk) 10:44, 19 November 2016 (UTC)

How long has Newport, South Wales been in England?
Today's edit states the following:
 * It was until recently the only working example of its type in England, but there are two other bridges, the Newport Transporter Bridge in Newport, South Wales which re-opened on 20 July 2010, and the Warrington Transporter Bridge in Cheshire, England.

Can't we dismiss the Newport Transporter because it's in Wales? The Warrington Transporter looks like a toy - surely that can be written out. Perhaps include mention of other transporter bridges further down the page. :) --Francis Hannaway Francis Hannaway 14:25, 20 March 2011 (UTC)
 * I quite agree. The bridge is currently the only working transporter bridge in England. Reference to the only other working transporter bridge in the UK can be found in the 'See also' section. I adjusted the text accordingly. Encyo (talk) 22:19, 13 April 2011 (UTC)

Who built the bridge?
The article states that the bridge was built by Sir William Arroll and Co of Glasgow, but the box states that the design was by the Cleveland Bridge and Engineering Company. There is no link I know of between the two at that time (1910/11). The item on Cleveland Bridge and Engineering Compoany states that they built it. I don't have the references to resolve the contradiction.Ancienterracht (talk) 17:08, 6 March 2012 (UTC)
 * From what I understand - Sir William Arroll and Co. were the design engineers and the work was managed locally by Cleveland Bridge, with steel produced by Dorman Long ... everyone played their part. Francis Hannaway (talk) 08:11, 6 July 2014 (UTC)

Assessment comment
Substituted at 18:38, 17 July 2016 (UTC)

Transporter bridge pics
Hi

Thanks for your comments on the image that we uploaded as part of our Remaking Middlesbrough event at Teesside University today.

We chose to upload this image from a new editor (a graphic design student here at Teesside) because we felt it added to the page by providing a context for the bridge - in that it can be seen within the landscape in a way that local people might often see it. It's also very recent, taken last week (April 2018).

We are trying to encourage local people to get involved in contributing to Wikipedia and we felt this was a good quality image, distinctive enough from the other images on the page, offering a different take on the bridge. --Svnicholls (talk) 15:22, 28 April 2018 (UTC)


 * Thank you for your helpful response. It's useful to know the context a bit more. Let's give it a go and see how it does: I've restored it. Cheers DBaK (talk) 08:13, 29 April 2018 (UTC)

Thank you so much for your support. I know that the photographer will be delighted - it means a lot to her and is a first small step in engaging new editors in our region. --82.71.5.251 (talk) 22:12, 29 April 2018 (UTC)
 * You're very welcome - I hope it all works out well. Cheers DBaK (talk) 06:53, 2 May 2018 (UTC)

Terry Scott
I seem to remember that Terry Scott drove off the Newport Bridge, not the Transporter 2A02:C7C:C09D:9400:C553:B9C1:31F8:3DC3 (talk) 19:14, 15 December 2023 (UTC)


 * Nope, it was the Transporter Bridge (unless he did it twice, once on each bridge!). There is a picture of him next to the bridge, looking suitably disgruntled, in "The Majestic Dinosaur". -- Verbarson talkedits 11:07, 16 December 2023 (UTC)