CSX, paint yer bridge!

[locomutt]

Cheviot Hill;you're very right,I had forgotten about that one !![swg]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Modelcar

Yea, AntiGates, that bridge is really an eyesore.....and it's not that old. I seriously doubt if that bridge was painted since it was constructed.

I've been looking at a lot of CSX railway at RRArchives.net this evening, and have noticed they still have A LOT of jointed rail, even on their mainlines. Whereas most of the NS mainline around here is continuous welded.

With that revelation coupled with the bridge neglect, lets face it. If CSX was one of my neighbors, they would be the one with the used washers and refrigerators sitting out in the yard, flower beds overgrown with weeds, moss hanging out of their gutters, a '78 Duster up on blocks rusting away in the drive way, and a derelict schoolbus half full of old newspapers out in the back yard. [:D]

[Cheviot Hill]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TheAntiGates

QUOTE: Originally posted by Modelcar

Yea, AntiGates, that bridge is really an eyesore.....and it's not that old. I seriously doubt if that bridge was painted since it was constructed.

I've been looking at a lot of CSX railway at RRArchives.net this evening, and have noticed they still have A LOT of jointed rail, even on their mainlines. Whereas most of the NS mainline around here is continuous welded.

With that revelation coupled with the bridge neglect, lets face it. If CSX was one of my neighbors, they would be the one with the used washers and refrigerators sitting out in the yard, flower beds overgrown with weeds, moss hanging out of their gutters, a '78 Duster up on blocks rusting away in the drive way, and a derelict schoolbus half full of old newspapers out in the back yard. [:D]

Antigates I get the reference. I for one, of being of Appalachian decent, find your comment appalling.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Cheviot Hill



Antigates I get the reference. I for one, of being of Appalachian decent, find your comment appalling.

Well, those traits are hardly exclusive to appalachia, so there is no need for you to take personal offense. Having lived on the west coast a number of years I can tell you there are many people like that out there as well.

The comment was a satire on priority, not ethnicity.

[eolafan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tree68

There are plenty of reasons not to paint the bridge. If folks think it looks bad now, wait 'til the rust starts peeking thought the paint....

I recall hearing at one time of a type of steel that was intended to rust, as that was the protective barrier against further corrosion.

[#ditto] You are exactly correct. A coating of rust will prevent further deterioration of the steel under the rust coating which painting the surface wlll not do. In our subdivision we have a pedestrian bridge over a busy road for the kiddies to take to school when crossing the road and it is not and will not be painted for this reason. The city of Henderson should thank their lucky stars that CSX is there to pay all those millions in tax revenue each year and not worry so much about a crummy railroad bridge. I have to wonder if I were to walk the streets of their town would I find trash in the street? If so, this would be a better use of their money than painting a bridge.

SIDE NOTE: Hey CSX, how about painting the bridge a bright lime green or shocking pink, perhaps Henderson would like that!

[eolafan]

NOTE TO CITY OF HENERSON, KY: GET A BLEEPING LIFE!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TheAntiGates

QUOTE: Originally posted by Cheviot Hill



Antigates I get the reference. I for one, of being of Appalachian decent, find your comment appalling.

Well, those traits are hardly exclusive to appalachia, so there is no need for you to take personal offense. Having lived on the west coast a number of years I can tell you there are many people like that out there as well.

The comment was a satire on priority, not ethnicity.

I, for another, of being of Appalachian descent, find your comment amusing.

But they stopped building Dusters in 1976. They were replaced by the Volare and Aspen.

And they need to leave the bridge alone.

[harrisburg]

If the city or state wants it painted let tham pay for it ..

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by nscoal



But they stopped building Dusters in 1976. They were replaced by the Volare and Aspen.

And they need to leave the bridge alone.

Whoops! my bad. Well, under all that rust, who could tell? [:D]

Oh well, at least it's not in my back yard.....

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by eolafan


SIDE NOTE: Hey CSX, how about painting the bridge a bright lime green or shocking pink, perhaps Henderson would like that!

ROFL!! Maybe with a couple used Porcelain toilette bowls at each end, filled with petunias? [}:)]

[Modelcar]

...What's the big deal from so many of thinking painting a steel bridge helps deteriorate the steel in it...I suppose it is possible if not done properly but isn't there a correct way to paint steel that gives the material some protection for a period of time....Let alone the difference painting will enhance it's appearance. I realize cost is a big factor....and perhaps in many cases it can NOT be afforded by the railroad. But to simply say painting deteriorates material under it seems a bit much.....As I've mentioned before what about the steel beams under interstate bridges....Most are painted, even many with various colors.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Modelcar

...What's the big deal from so many of thinking painting a steel bridge helps deteriorate the steel in it...I suppose it is possible if not done properly but isn't there a correct way to paint steel that gives the material some protection for a period of time....Let alone the difference painting will enhance it's appearance. I realize cost is a big factor....and perhaps in many cases it can NOT be afforded by the railroad. But to simply say painting deteriorates material under it seems a bit much.....As I've mentioned before what about the steel beams under interstate bridges....Most are painted, even many with various colors.

Actually there is evidence that steel structures exposed to high cycllic loading (heavy trains, perhaps?) and the elements are vulnerable to corrosion fatigue where tiny cracks develop, admit moisture, and continue to corrode beneath the surface of the "protective layer" of rust. Structures where the grain of the metals are exposed, such as riveted structures, are especially succeptable to this accelerated form of corrosion.

A maintenance paint program keeps these tiny cracks and endgrains filled (since you can't grind a bridge like you grind a rail head)

http://www.corrosion-doctors.org/InternetResources/NPL.htm#Stress

[David_Telesha]

I'll have you know Cor-Ten was around in the 1940's. How do I know? Pullman-Standard used it on the New Haven's Stainless Steel passenger fleet for the side framing, etc.. Guess what? Water got stuck behind the stainless fluting and the Cor-Ten rotted to hell. Pfffffffft.

As for the City telling CSX to paint the bridge...

Doesn't the City have more important things to worry about... I second the rustic comment.

[louisnash]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Cheviot Hill

QUOTE: Originally posted by locomutt

QUOTE: Originally posted by farmer03

QUOTE: Originally posted by louisnash

Same thing has been going on in Covington KY concerning the C&O bridge over the Main Licking River.

You would think there would be other things of bigger interest for any city to worry about than a railroad bridge being painted.

Brian (KY)

The Main Licking River huh. How far away is that from French Lick? A little too much licking going over thataway. [X-)]

French Lick is in Indiana;about 200 miles from the Licking River.(in Ky.)

Big Bone Lick State Park is a lot closer. It's in Northern Kentucky.[:p]
Sorry, I had to put in my [2c].

And Kentucky Fried Chicken is "Finger Licking Good". lol

Brian (KY)

[michaelstevens]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Modelcar
isn't there a correct way to paint steel that gives the material some protection for a period of time....Let alone the difference painting will enhance it's appearance. I realize cost is a big factor....and perhaps in many cases it can NOT be afforded by the railroad. But to simply say painting deteriorates material under it seems a bit much.....As I've mentioned before what about the steel beams under interstate bridges....Most are painted, even many with various colors.

Here's a good description of how it's done

http://www.tfhrc.gov/hnr20/bridge/zinc.htm

-- and you are correct ; cost is a very big factor.

[Modelcar]

....Very good...michael, it is easy to see high costs and it also indicates if the process is accomplished correctly it will provide a good protection covering. I'm sure RR's couldn't afford this process on all the structures but structures within a community would certainly look a lot better with a properly installed appropriate coating.

[beefmalone]

they recently sandblasted and painted the interstate bridges over the ms river nearby at a cost of a couple million.

[markn]

I guess they want one of these-the "Purple People Bridge" in Cincinnati
http://enquirer.com/editions/2003/04/20/bridge.jpg

[Cheviot Hill]

QUOTE: Originally posted by markn

I guess they want one of these-the "Purple People Bridge" in Cincinnati
http://enquirer.com/editions/2003/04/20/bridge.jpg

I can hear that song again, (I love you, you love me...)

Does anybody know about how much money would be involved in this bridge painting in Henderson Kentucky? It does have a long approach. Any best guesses?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by markn

I guess they want one of these-the "Purple People Bridge" in Cincinnati
http://enquirer.com/editions/2003/04/20/bridge.jpg

Holy*** that's ugly!

[AntonioFP45]

Looking at it from a different perspective............

CSX says it can't afford to paint the bridge, yet executives manipulated John Snow's employment status (though it was legal) so that he could collect $2,000,000+ of compenstation when he left the company.

But spending money to repaint bridges or hire more workers to service locomotive toilets is not feasible. The legacy of mega-mergers..........

[SALfan]

It would serve the city right if CSX painted the bridge . . . . . rust brown.

[rrandb]

This bridge has never been painted since it was built. NEVER. This is not an issue of CSX failing to maintain the bridge but of a city trying to change the way they maintain there bridge. This is not a case of the railroad failing to maintain the appearance of there bridge.There NEVER was a paint coating to maintain. This is a city wanting to change the appearance of the bridge at the railroads expense. [2c] As always ENJOY

[Murphy Siding]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Cheviot Hill

QUOTE: Originally posted by markn

I guess they want one of these-the "Purple People Bridge" in Cincinnati
http://enquirer.com/editions/2003/04/20/bridge.jpg

I can hear that song again, (I love you, you love me...)

Does anybody know about how much money would be involved in this bridge painting in Henderson Kentucky? It does have a long approach. Any best guesses?

Murphy's law being what it is, I'd guess the cost to be about $10 million.[xx(]

[tree68]

The NYSW bridge (former Erie, double track) bridge over the Delaware River at Hancock, NY doesn't have a lick of paint on it, and I doubt it ever did, either. Seems like I've seen the date on it, IIRC it's a lot older than the 1930's.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rrandb

.There NEVER was a paint coating to maintain.

Where did you get that idea? Looking at the pictures it seems obvious that a coating was there at one time.....And one of the objections CSX had made to repainting was that the existing paint contained lead., making the paint removal a hazard abatement problem.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding


Murphy's law being what it is, I'd guess the cost to be about $10 million.[xx(]

There appears to be more to the story, estimating a cost of up to $2 million

That seems more realistic

http://www.courierpress.com/ecp/gleaner_news/article/0,1626,ECP_4476_4553271,00.html


Interesting that the city of Covington DID successfully cite, fine, and collect for a similar infraction by CSX fot the bridge in their city. Which is interesting.

Here is what might work: So the city removes the fine ceiling, cites them, and makes unpaid property fines a part of the property tax due.

After enough years of getting stood up for the payment, have a delinquent tax auction.

Norfolk Southern comes along, buys the bridge, and charges CSX a toll to use the bridge. [8D]

[Cheviot Hill]

It may have never been painted after being built. The steel manufacture does in most cases paint their steel. The bridge is then put together with the steel already painted. Seen plenty of pictures of railroad bridges being built with silver paint already on them.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Cheviot Hill

It may have never been painted after being built. The steel manufacture does in most cases paint their steel. The bridge is then put together with the steel already painted. Seen plenty of pictures of railroad bridges being built with silver paint already on them.

Cheviot Hill, I get the reference. I for one, being descended from iron workers, find your comment appalling [:D] (J/K)

Anyway, that would have been L&N that had a painted bridge, right? CSX has never painted it.

I just find it funny the arguments made here against doing the right thing.

"Never a coat of paint there to maintain"--well obviously there was

"Outside of their jurisdiction"--well evidently not in Covington, so why not elsewhere?


"Cost too much"--well cost a lot less than the figures being floated around here, and in fact no more than the last "golden parachute" to leave the company...


I seriously doubt that the bridge will get painted...but I don't think that the towns people are wrong for wanting it painted.....I think that CSX is being irresponsible for refusing to do it . That's my opinion, that and a buck will get me a cup of coffee.

We've also seen some intentionally malicious suggestions here, implying that the town deserved to be punished or made to regret their desire to have the mess cleaned up. One of those was to paint the bridge a rust color.

Just thinking about that after looking at the pictures at the links posted earlier, let me emphasize that I have no way of knowing what the towns people want, yet I'd be willing to speculate that the towns people would be delighted to have a uniform rust brown instead of the eyesore they now have. I know I would.


Funny how railfans enjoy photographing new paintjobs on locomotives, and showing off those photos. Pictures of beat up and rusted over loco's bring cat calls of derision exclaiming how the engine needs to go to the paint barn.. Yet here we have a town making essentially the same argument.... about a condition they have to look at EVERY DAY, and that makes them the "bad guy"?

I just don't see it.

[Anonymous]

My only opinion is that the bridge has probably been there longer than most people living in that town. If you move someplace with permanent or semi-permanent object which has some kind of a dominant presence, you should probably consider that fact before moving there. If you move to the remote mountains to escape the structure and industrial look of the city, and then someone dumps a rusty bridge in the back yard, well, maybe that's an issue. If it's been there the whole time, you kind of should accept it.

Like if you move to Aberdeen Maryland, you should get used to the fact that the Army likes to blow things up there on the Army base, and well, sometimes that's early in the morning, sometimes late a night. It shakes the buildings and even might wake you up if you're a light sleeper...but then you're not going to ask them to stop blowing stuff up are you?

I'm all for making cities an attractive place to live, but painting the bridge to make it pretty also removes the character and history, IMO. Kinda like when they demolished the original Penn Station in NYC to make that horrid new station with Madison square garden back in the 60's.

Just because it's new and shiny doesn't always mean it looks better, or is better for the area...I'm sure picking up some trash and cleaning up around town would make more of a difference than painting a bridge over the water....[2c]