Very interesting photograph and information, AJ ... thanks for posting.
|
Thanks for posting your very interesting photo. I wonder when the bridge was last used on a regular basis?
|
Knox and Kane Railroad used it from 1987 until 2002. Close in September of 2002 and work started February of 2003 to restore the bridge to return both recreational pedestrian and railroad usage but on July 21st the tornado put a stop to that. It would have cost the state 45 million dollars to rebuilt the bridge.
|
| Posted by on October 19, 2013 | |
The bridge was abandoned by the Erie in the 1950s. Sold to Kovalchick of EBT fame, who sold it to become part of a state park. The bridge was train-less until around 1988 when the Knox & Kane tourist operation began running their steam powered excursion train across it, with a new wye constructed just off the bridge on the far side. The excursions ran until the bridge was closed again to train traffic due to safety reasons, account excessive rust at the bottom of the towers. A construction crew was in process of shoring up the trestle when the tornado hit, the surviving part had already been strengthened by the construction crews and was able to withstand the tornado. The part that crews had not gotten to yet are what fell.
|
If you don't get you Delorean up to 88 miles per hour you will never make it.
|
I bet it was great to see trains cross this bridge when it was in service. Hopefully there are some great pictures. Old railway structures make good pictures.
|
Thanks to the commenters regarding the history of the bridge. Much appreciated.
|
Cool, cool stuff. It's neat they left it all there for people to observe.
|
Wow...what took man years to build only took Mother Nature moments to destroy!
|
@Herb Brown Jr If you go or anyone go to RailroadPictureArchives.net and search for Mt/Mount Jewett, PA, on the site, there are a few pictures of trains going over this bridge. Interesting story all around here.
|
| Posted by Sport! on October 22, 2013 | |
The literal "Bridge to Nowhere"....
|
I think it's cool they left the blown down towers in place. Gives the people that walk to the end of the existing part an idea of what was there before... and what mother nature can do when she is in a bad mood. :-)
|
The Finding Bigfoot team investigated on this bridge.
|
The original wrought iron (tubular) bridge was built in 1882. That bridge was completely dismantled in 1900 and rebuilt with steel. The designer of the 1900 bridge later stated he was "sorry" he used the original wrought iron bridge's bottom anchor bolts. Well, he was so right! So, the bridge that collapsed lasted about 103 years. OK, slap me.... LOL
|
I believe it held the record for longest railroad Trestle at one time.
|