Bridge 5A was owned by the original Norfolk and Southern and carried their passenger trains to the N & W Union Station which was located area of the base ball stadium. After the N & W inherited from the N & S it was used as a standby when Bridge 5 had to be repaired. The most recent time it was used was in 1985-86 time frame. Our local NRHS chapter ran a 611 passenger special out of Norfolk at that time and many people were able to be a part of a somewhat obscure historic event. Prior to being put back into temporary service, the lift span was tied in the up position with cables much like guy wires on power poles. It must be permanently secured at the base now as the cables are no longer there. Bridge 5A was removed from service shortly later and the tracks removed both sides of the river.
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By the way, the green office building in the sky line was the NS headquarters from shortly after the merger in 1982 until their recent move to Atlanta.
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