Mid-July I was over in North Dakota for my son's wedding and I took a lot of Railroad pictures. Pictures are a terrible thing to waste. They are only good if you share them with someone.
This is a picture of the Bismarck rail Bridge. Bismarck North Dakota. The bridge was built in 1885. The bridge was re-built in 1905 due to heavier loads. I would much wish to give way more information on this if anyone is interested.
This bridge is huge. I visit her every time I go there
She is 113 years old. Originally built and owned by Northern Pacific.
BNSF wants to tear her down and rebuild. Rightfully so! There is a lot of controversy over there. If willed I may elaborate.
I'm sure anyone can look it up and do their homework.... I was over there and talked to people. I would very much like to talk to you people. You are my railroad Forum people.
I REALLY LIKE THIS BRIDGE
Ok track fiddler, I will bite....
It is a very interesting looking (and BIG) bridge, and the fact that it is that old and still being used is a bit surprising, as NS just replaced one not far from me, in Leictworth Park NY, of around that same age.
So, what's "The rest of the story"? (Yep, I'm old enough to remember Mr. Paul Harvey. Scary thought....)
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
Well yes she is an old bridge and very dear to me.
From what I know the history of this bridge is Northern Pacific built this bridge. Northern Pacific I do believe is German heritage. I do know for fact Northern Pacific seeked more German investors after they already had them
Guess what they got more German investors, that's what made Bismarck Bismarck.
Originally when the first Bridge connected Mandan to Bismarck the town was originally named Edwinton named after Edwinton Ferry Johnson. A chief engineer of Northern Pacific railroad.
Less than a year later after German investor's started investing. The town was re-named after Otto Von Bismarck... a German chancellor of Germany at that time.
Go figure I just happened to be over there during German Days that's how I acquired all the information.
As I recall, the name change to Bismarck wasn't because NP wanted German investors, it was because NP wanted German immigrants - folks to settle along the NP and buy land from the NP that the railroad had been given via their government land grants.
Of course, German-born Henry Villard was an important figure in the NP's early history, at least for a short time, so NP probably did have a good share of German investors....
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/business-history-review/article/selected-letters-of-r-c-leffingwell-edited-by-edward-pulling-oyster-bay-new-york-exposition-press-1979-pp-185-privately-printed/D8A16FB98434B4E51D5021DFE8A8AB1C
I can understand why BNSF would want to replace that old bridge, as beautiful as it is with todays very heavy car weight limits 283,000 lbs. That bridge is not built for that kind of stresses. A new and stronger bridge might be necessary to avoid a collapse at some point.
The people of Bismarck predominantly German as I gathered the last time I was over there, love their Town, love their Heritage, and love their Bridge, all three things go together.
BNSF wants to tear down the bridge leave the piers standing in the river and build a two-lane Bridge behind it.
I found it amazing how many people of Bismarck love their railroad bridge and are fighting this across the board.
No one in Bismarck has been looking at this bridge for a hundred and thirteen years but their Grandparents were looking at it before they were.... They like their Bridge.
As we speak BNSF wants to move along and take care of their upgrade but it's being held back..... This may be a tough fight..... BNSF has the gold and makes the rules.
There are a lot of wealthy people in North Dakota. The rebuild of the bridge is being held back. There is an extremely large number of people lobbying and fighting the advancement of the project. They're fighting for the bridge being left alone as a pedestrian and bike path over the river.
Lobbying for BNSF to build their new bridge behind it not to overshadow the old bridge. It will be interesting to see how this turns out.
Styx you are one hundred if not two hundred percent correct. It was very hard for me not to say what you said. I was just trying to avoid the (I) word but didn't know how else to say it.
I'm sure it was unintentional and will be overlooked.... Thanks