Tay Rail Bridge of Dundee "in respect of his meritorious services as engineer of the bridge. ..." On 20 June 1879, Queen Victoria crossed the bridge during her return south from staying at Balmoral; Bouch was presented to her before she did so. On 26 June 1879, he was knighted by the Queen at Windsor Castle. On the night of 28 December 1879 at 7.15 pm, the bridge collapsed after its central spans gave way during high winter gales. A train with six carriages carrying seventy-five passengers and crew, crossing at the time of the collapse, plunged into the icy waters of the
Newport-on-Tay East railway station as well as easy access by car, thus directly leading to the closure of the line in 1969. During the 1960s the trains were normally pulled by British Railways 2-6-4T engines. Later the steam trains were replaced by diesel multiple units, probably British Rail Class 101. Newport-on-Tay East railway station Newport-on-Tay East railway station formerly served the town of Newport-on-Tay, Fife, Scotland. The station closed in 1969. Newport-on-Tay East station was opened by North British Railway on 13 May 1879 with a branch line from the southern end of the Tay Bridge which was later extended to Tayport. In 1923