GWR Grange class 4-6-0 No 6800 leaves the Royal Albert Bridge with an up milk train in April 1952.

Peter Kerslake says "Saltash is in the background on the other side of the River Tamar and work has not yet begun on the road bridge which will run across to the right of Brunel's structure. Penzance allocated 6800 will need a pilot engine from Plymouth to Newton Abbot as this load of milk is heavier than it looks, and more loaded wagons will be picked up from the creamery at Totnes adding to the load for the climb to Dainton.

There were two daily milk trains from Cornwall at this time and this would be the earlier afternoon working bringing loaded milk wagons initially from Penzance and later from St. Erth up to Kensington and collecting more on its way as it headed eastwards.
Brunel's bridge stands alone in this view as the 1961 road bridge is yet to be built, Mr. Brunel's structure upon which work began in 1854 and ended in 1859 beginning life with the construction of the central pillar seen here which was completed in November of 1856, resting on a rocky base in mid river which at this point is over 1000 feet wide"

Photo:W.J.V, Anderson/Rail Archive Stephenson