Rail Road Bridges Old & New Used & Abandoned

[Modelcar]

....AdrianSpeeder: Thanks for confirming the piers are still there...I do have a photograph of the piers out in the river. I have a book on that long ago project of trying to build the South Penn and a photo is included in it.

[adrianspeeder]

QUOTE: ...The above post reminds me of similar construction in central Pennsylvania. In 1885 work was stopped on the South Penn Railroad across Pennsylvania...It had created a "war" between Vanderbilt and the Pennsylvania R R and about 70% of ROW was constructed including some bridge abutments across the Susquehanna river near Harrisburg. Some years ago they were still there, perhaps they still are. Item: Some of the tunnels started by the South Penn were used and completed for the original Pennsylvania Turnpike opened in October of 1940. The South Penn never layed any track.

The piers are still there. They go halfway across the river and look downright tiny compared to the bridge that holds the NS main line. I would take a pic, but the only good shot would be from the route 83 bridge. 83 has been deadly the last few months because of crazy drivers, and I can't be worrying about taking pics while driving. I will see if there are any pics on the net.

Adrianspeeder

[Anonymous]

Thank you. I seem to remember that the man died in the Titranic. I did not realize they had a book about that railroad. The book sounds very interesting.

[dmoore74]

QUOTE: Originally posted by macman1

In southern Massachuets, there was a railroad that was never built but all the bridge columns and some bridges were built. They also leveled out the gorund, but never installed any track. I cant remember the name off the top of my head, but I will try to think of it. I beleive the reason why they stoped building was because the man in charge died.

The railroad you are referring to is the Southern New England Railroad. It was being built by the Grand Trunk Railroad of Canada from Palmer, MA. tp Providence, RI. While much of the roadbed and bridge abutments were constructed in Massachusetts no permanent track was ever laid and no bridges
were ever installed.
The original driving force behind the Southern New England was Charles Melville Hays, president of the Grand Trunk. He went down with the Titanic in April 1912. Construction actually did not start until several weeks after Hays'
death. It continued in starts and stops until 1916 when funding ran out and the
Grand Trunk seemed to lack anyone to pu***he project forward. See the book "Titanic Railroad" by Larry Lowenthal for the full story.
There was another railroad in western Massachusetts that was built with all track and bridges in place but never operated. This was the Hampden Railroad between the B&M in Bondsville (Palmer), MA, and the New Haven in Springfield. After it was built neither railroad would agree to operate it. Most of the track and ironwork for the bridges was sold for scrap in the 20's and 30's.
Portions of the roadbed and several abutments still exist.

[Modelcar]

...The above post reminds me of similar construction in central Pennsylvania. In 1885 work was stopped on the South Penn Railroad across Pennsylvania...It had created a "war" between Vanderbilt and the Pennsylvania R R and about 70% of ROW was constructed including some bridge abutments across the Susquehanna river near Harrisburg. Some years ago they were still there, perhaps they still are. Item: Some of the tunnels started by the South Penn were used and completed for the original Pennsylvania Turnpike opened in October of 1940. The South Penn never layed any track.

[Anonymous]

In southern Massachuets, there was a railroad that was never built but all the bridge columns and some bridges were built. They also leveled out the gorund, but never installed any track. I cant remember the name off the top of my head, but I will try to think of it. I beleive the reason why they stoped building was because the man in charge died.

[Modelcar]

...Just to add to the pot: Have been watching an abandoned double span side girder bridge located over Stoney Creek in Pennsylvania near the town of Holesopple. It is on the former B&O branch that served traffic to the mine at Jerome. Has been abandoned for at least 50 years and still looks pretty solid.
Another would be a double span run through Steel girders in the triangle fashion type...Each span must be at least 100 ft. long, perhaps more...and they look like they could last another 100 years. Pennsylvania R R here in Muncie...abandoned back in the early 70's. They parallel another ex railroad bridge ex CSX and it now carries our local walking and bike Trail across White River. Still another is just a few hunderd yards up stream from that one and is active with NS line incoming from Ft. Wayne and heading south. Route of the Roadrailer runs.

[espeefoamer]

I think the longest bridge is the one over Lake Ponchatrain,near New Orleans.It is acually a causeway,since it is built low over the lake,but it still counts as a bridge.

[millerdc]

Recently some flyovers have been built to seperate rail lines. Examples Kearny (?) taking BNSF over UP. Two new flyovers in Kansas City. One completed on the east side and one under construction just west of Union Station.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

Embankments and short bridges will probably be used for grade crossing elimination since it reduces the problem of weight restrictions and the amount of maintenance. The other option would be something like the trench used by UP and BNSF to reach the port of Long Beach.

[Anonymous]

[8D] I Noticed In May 97 They Built A New Bridge In Pascagula Miss
Over The Industrial Canal A Draw Bridge But I Wonder If Theyll Ever
Build Over Head Rail LInes Like The L train In Chicago Or Maybe Just Through Citys Where Theres A Lot Of Grade Crossings.
I Was Thinking That The Huey P Long Bridge Was Longest In U.S.
I Know The Train Part Was There First And The Auto Bridges Were Added On Later The Bridge Is Owned & Maintained By NOPB
(New Orleans Public Belt) But Is Mainly Used By UP BNSF (New comer)---
NS & CSX Please Send Your Thoughts.



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