The only active railway drawbridge in Europe can be found on the line between Szczecin Central Port and Gryfino, close to the station of Szczecin Podjuchy. It links the banks of the River Regalica. The line between Wroclaw and Szczecin was built between 1871 and 1877 with a bridge, which no longer exists, over the Regalica with four spans one of which rotated, on the outskirts of Szczecin.

It only allowed access to the waterway for a short time. Due to the increase in the number of boats, such an arrangement restricted shipping. Therefore in the years between 1933 and 1935 the bridge was completely modernised and ended up with five spans – one of which could be raised.

The bridge raising mechanism has three phases of operation. Each phase starts when the previous one has been completed, which provides effective safety. First, the rails are separated and the pins moved in the direction of the fixed spans, this is followed by the sleepers and finally with the aid of a motor the main lifting gear is activated. Power is transferred to two gears which move a treadmill, lifting or lowering the bridge.

Drawbridge – Szczecin (woj. Zachodniopomorskie)

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