Bailey Bridge Versions & Differences

Key:

In approx. age order:

Second World War era:

  • SBB = The Original British design - 'Standard Bailey Bridge'; c.1941
  • M1 = First USA product - essentially identical to the Original SBB;
  • IDB = Improvised Deck Bridge;
  • IWBB = Improvised-Widened BB;
  • SWBB = Standard-Widened BB - British(?) & Canadian designation for the M2;
    This is the first significant / improved version of the original BB.
  • M2 = US designation for the SWBB;
  • EWBB = Extra-Widened Bailey;
  • M3 = US designation for the EWBB, though never actually accepted into service;

Post-War era (Military):

  • HGB = Heavy-Girder Bridge;
  • HGOB = Heavy-Girder Over-Bridge;
  • LSB = Logistic Support Bridge;
    Identical (?) to Compact 200.

Post-War era (Civilian):

  • M-SBB = Mabey Super Bailey Bridge; c.1967
  • A-PB = Acrow Panel Bridge; c.1971
  • M-UBB = Mabey "Universal Bailey Bridge"; c.1971
  • M-C100 = Mabey "Compact 100";
  • M-C200 = Mabey (Acrow) "Compact 200"; c.1983
  • A-500 = Acrow 500; c.1987
  • A-700 = Acrow 700;
  • A-MB = Acrow Military Bridge
  • M-BFB = (Mabey) Bailey Foot Bridge;

Thos Storey joined the Acrow group in 1960, somewhat confusing the above.
Component / Detail Versions Notes
Panel
Length 		SBB; M1; SWBB/M2; EWBB; MSBB; 10 feet, from pin-centre to pin-centre.
10' 5" overall; 6.5" Wide; Four "Transom Seats"
LSB 3.048m / 10'
Some post-WWII commercial bridges Various
HGB / HGOB; "Larger and Heavier"
Roadway
Width 		SBB; 10' 6"
M1; 10' 7"
SWBB; 10' 9"
EWBB; 13' 9"
M2; 12' 6"
LSB; 4.2m (13' 9" 11/32)
MSBB; 4.293m (14' 1")
BFB; 2m (6' 7")
Width
between
trusses 		SBB;
M1;
SWBB; 14' 3"
EWBB; 15' 8"
M2;
LSB;
MSBB;
BFB;
Transom
Length ( ≈ Bridge-width overall) x Depth 		SBB / M1 / MSBB; 18 feet x 10" x 4"1/2. No 'cover plates'; 5 stringer lugs. Locating holes for three panels each end.
M2 / SWBB; 19' 11" x 10" / 12" 'Cover plates'; 6 stringer lugs. Locating holes for four panels each end.
M3 / EWBB; 19' 11" x 10" / 12" 'Cover plates'; 7 stringer lugs. Locating holes for three panels each end.
Eight-man lift; carrying holes to match. No other components for SBB / EWBB are more than a six-man lift.
LBB; ??
BFB; 10' 6"
M-C200; ?? No carrying holes.
Swaybrace
Length 		SBB / M1; 15' 1"1/8
No marking.
M2 / SWBB; 16' 10"
Yellow marking.
EWBB; 0' 0"
Red marking.
Riband (Kerb)
Material 		SBB; SWB EWBB; Timber, with metal re-inforcing of attachment points.
M1; M2; Steel
Stringers
per bay 		SBB / M1; 5
M2 / SWBB; 6
M3; EWBB; 7
Stringer
Dimensions 		SBB / M1; M2 / SWBB; EWBB; 9' 11" 5/8 x 1' 8" 3/4
Chesses
Length x width 		SBB / M1; 12 feet, 2" thick
M2 / SWBB; 13' 10"
EWBB; 14' 11", mostly 4" thick, shaped at ends to 2" thick.
Rakers SBB / M1; M2 / SWBB; EWBB; 3 inch I-beam; 2”3/8 flange; 3’8” long
M-C200; Split-end. Locates over end of transom directly.
Bracing Frame SBB / M1; M2 / SWBB; EWBB; 4 feet 3 inches by 1 foot 8 inches. with a hollow conical dowel in each corner.
Tie Plate SBB / M1; M2 / SWBB; EWBB; Flat steel 2” 1/2 x 3/8” x 12” It has a hollow conical dowel at each end. Used only in triple-truss bridges, to secure the second truss to the third truss. using the otherwise unused raker holes in the panels at each joint and at the ends of the bridge.
Panel Pin
Length x width 		Standard 8” 5/16 long x 1” 7/8 diameter
Short 7” 9/16 long x 1” 7/8 diameter
Chord Bolt SBB / M1; M2 / SWBB; EWBB; Mild steel bolt used to connect panels above or below to form multi storey bridges. 1” 3/4 diameter, 10” 1/2 long (or is it 12" long ?)
Bracing Bolt SBB / M1; M2 / SWBB; EWBB; Used in a number of locations, for example, bracing frame and panel. A special lug on its head prevents rotation when the bolt is tightened. 3/4” diameter; 3”1/2 long
Riband Bolt SBB / M1; M2 / SWBB; EWBB; Used to secure the riband (kerb). A specially shaped flat head slots into the button of a button stringer, then rotates 90 degrees to lock in place. 3/4” diameter; 8” 7/8 long

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