Culverts

[olequa]

What kind of culverts are prototypical for grades put down 50 to 100 years ago? Were they usually concrete box type constructed on site? Or did prefab concrete pipe exist then? What other types were there?

[Anonymous]

Some were probably stone or masonry since labor costs were substantially less then than now. Corrigated, galvanized steel may have been used in the 50 year ago time frame as well. There may be some more definite answers through the old Train Shed series or in the research areas of the historical societies like the PRRT&HS since the Pennsy documented just about every thing they did as the Standard Railroad. The NYC Historical Society might be another good source.
Will

[nbrodar]

Generally 100 years ago culverts would have been masonary or timber. Concrete was just starting to appear. 50 years ago, they would have been concrete or galvenized pipe.

Nick Brodar.