Bi-level track on the prototype

[gkhazzard]

I am designing an industrial scene for an HO scale layout, and I am contemplating having a set of tracks running under the bridge supporting a set of elevated tracks.  Does anyone have any images of prototypical spots where this was done?

[tomikawaTT]

I presume you are referring to tracks running longitudinally on two levels, not simply tracks on a bridge crossing over tracks at ground level.

Many years ago, some of the industrial tracks in Brooklyn ran at ground level underneath the (then) BMT elevated rapid transit tracks.

During (or shortly before) the same era, there were literally miles of streetcar tracks in the roadways under the (then) IRT elevated structures in Da Bronx.  The Broadway swing bridge had two levels of track, streetcars in the roadway at ground level and rapid transit above.

(The Broadway bridge is still two level, but the only tracks are on the upper level.  The lower level is used only by motor vehicles and pedestrians.)

I'm sure there were places where the through tracks were raised, and the industrial leads were tucked underneath them.

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

[gkhazzard]

That is exactly what I mean.  I plan to have a double track mainline raised above a single track industrial lead that will run along the same path for a good two feet or so.

 Thanks for the hints - I'll go see if I can hunt down some images!

[ericsp]

Here is an example of something somewhat like that in Benicia, CA.

Example 1

There is also a location where they cross closer to a right angle. 

Example 2

[artpeterson]

Hi - the Milwaukee Road and C&NW lines running west out of their respective depots in Chicago passed under the double-track Met West Side (later, CRT and after that CTA) "L" Line running out to the northwest side (this is around Paulina and Carroll on the near west side of the city).  The Milwaukee and the C&NW were both grade-separated, as was the "L" which went over the top of those lines.  The "L" line began operation in the mid-1890s and was replaced by the Milwaukee Avenue subway from early 1951, though the branch was still intact for another 10 years.  The actual bridge over the Milwaukee and C&NW tracks is still in place, as it is used to support signals for the "steam roads."  Hope this helps! Art

[ndbprr]

Go to Terraserver or Goggle Earth and look at the old PRR main at Thorndale.  There the Trenton cutoff freight secondary line leaves the mainline into Philadelphia.  The Eastbound secondary line rises up a slope crosses a truss bridge over about five tracks and descends on the north side of the mains.  Also check the area at the south end of the high line in Philadelphia where freight trains climbed a short grade at Arsenal tower and ran on a bridge through center city Philadelphia past the University of Penn. football stadium, 30th Street Station and rejoined the mains at Zoo Junction.

[cacole]

Although they're long gone now, there used to be numerous streetcar lines and industrial sidings along the Mississippi River waterfront in Saint Louis, and passenger trains entering or leaving Union Station ran on an elevated line on a long deck girder bridge to avoid the periodic floods.

If you could find rail maps from the early 1900's through 1960 or so, these lines should appear on them.