All sorts of Bridges

[K.V.Div]

Last shot shows the tracks approaching the bridge.
The sign with the two black dots is a "Flanger Warning sign" which tells the operator of a flanger, spreader or a snowplow equipped with a flanger that there is an obstruction between the rails ahead (in this case, the bridge guardrails) and that the flanger blades must be raised to avoid damaging them.

Terry

 

[Woodie]

That's a teensie weensie bridge Terry. We've had pics of "hyoooooj" bridges, and now teensie weensie ones.

Is there a world record for the tiniest railway bridge?

 

[K.V.Div]

It may be a "teensie weensie" bridge Woodie, but like all bridges, it has it's purpose.
I'd give a weeks wages to see a train jump across that creek.
Actually, there over 50 such bridges on the E&N, as well as many more larger ones, some of them quite long and high.
I'll try to get out and get a few pics of the Arbutis Canyon trestle and Niagra Canyon cantilever bridge sometime soon. It just takes a little bit of mountain climbing and boonie bashing (hiking through the forest) to get up to them
.
Cheers!

Terry

 

[interurban]

Traction Bridge photo

Hi Robin and Ron.
The picture I think was taken in Milwaukee at a place called Cudahy.
Now then TMER&L stands for The Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Company.
I like TRACTION

 

[railohio]

Here's another bridge photo to keep ya goin'!

 

[railohio]

And here's another...

 

[interurban]

Now that`s right nice of you Brian Thanks Great Bridge shots.
And thanks to Terry, I for one did not know of the danger to snow plows Love those ever so needed little Bridges We have one on our L/O

 

[railohio]

I suppose some explanation is in order....

The first bridge is across the Potomac River at Magnolia, West Virginia. The bridge is a part of the "Magnolia Cutoff," a line relocation completed by the B&O in the early 1900s that removed the rail line from the flood prone river valley. The original right-of-way along the river, from which this photo was taken, is still used as an access road by CSX and is kept open to the public for access to area hunting grounds. In this shot, P030, Amtrak's eastbound Capitol Limited crosses the bridge on March 24, 2003. [Nikon N80, 24mm f/2.8 AF-D Nikkor, Fuji Provia 100F, exposure unrecorded.]

The second photo is of the Western Maryland Scenic's bridge over Braddock Run and Alt. U.S. 40 just west of Cumberland. The bridge is located in the "Cumberland Narrows," a valley which once held the tracks of the competing Western Maryland and B&O. After the Chessie merger of the 1970's the former Western Maryland line was deemed surplus and sold. The Western Maryland Scenic uses the line from Cumberland to Frostburg for their steam-powered excursion trains. Like all the other bridges on the WM's Connelsville Extension, this bridge was built to accomodate two tracks, although two tracks were never built across it. I shot this photo while waiting for the return of a WMS excursion on August 10, 2001. [Nikon FM-10, 35-70mm f/3.5-4.8 AIS Zoom-Nikkor, Agfa Scala 200X, exposure unrecorded.]

 

[RailRon]

So the left track of the WMS bridge is exclusively reserved for ghost trains...

Seriously, this is a rare example of a through truss bridge with curved track on it. Because of the sideways pressure of a passing train they always tried to construct such bridges on a tangent piece of track. However this picture gives us modelers an fine excuse to build such a bridge in a curve.

Ron

 

[RailRon]

Here's another example of a curved steel bridge. This is the famous 'Bietschtal' bridge in Switzerland.

 

[RailRon]

This second pic shows a little more of the surroundings. It is a narrow side valley (the 'Bietschtal' - Tal (German) = valley) of the Rhone river valley in the Alps.

The tracks lead from a tunnel into a tunnel. When you are riding a train, you really don't have much time to enjoy the view from the bridge!

Ron

 

[Matthyro]

Some impressive bridges Brian and Ron. Thanks for the detailed information Brian.
Ron, where on earth did you have to go to get those pictures? You must be a mountaineer to get into position to get those great photos.

 

[Woodie]

I still reckon Switzerland was made from bits and pieces and paster and plastic trees I could get form my local hobby shop!

 

[sumpter250]

Ron,
That first shot of the Bietschtal bridge clearly shows a couple of things. You can see that three separate, straight, spans are used to carry the curve across the valley. You can also see just how vertical the ground can get, and still have trees growing on it!
This is an excellent reference photo for mountainous scenery.
Pete

 

[RailRon]

Robin, to be honest - it wasn't me who made those pics.

The tracks belong to the railroad line between the South portal of the Loetschberg tunnel at 1200 meters (4000 ft), descending along the mountain side for 25 km (15.5 miles) to Brig at 700 m (2300 ft). The line is extremely spectacular with lots of tunnels and all sorts of bridges.

However, I have been at exactly these photo spots several times. There is a fairly tight net of beautiful hiking paths in these mountains - and it is even quite easy to make these tours. All you need are good trekking shoes, rain and sun protection, a picknick and (for such pics) a camera. The left photo inset shows, that the paths are easy for walking.

As the map shows, there is one path which follows more or less the railroad line - sometimes a little higher, sometimes a little lower. Of course you have to walk all around rock noses (can't walk through the tunnels ). On the right photo you see a small tunnel for that path below the left end of the bridge.

It is a hike of about 4 1/2 hours from Hohtenn (left) to Eggerberg, 5 hours to Lalden (right). There are special round tickets - you leave the train at Hohtenn and board it again at Eggerberg or Lalden. It's really a wonderful tour. When you visit Switzerland - try it!

Ron

(Reading all that, I think I probably should get a medal from the Swiss tourist office! )

 

[RailRon]

Pete, you're right - 'curved' steel bridges always are built up from a series of straight elements.

On the other side, masonry viaducts can be curved. Here is a beautiful example of that species on the same BLS line - the 'Luogelkinn' viaduct. (Try to pronounce that in English! ) On the map above it is marked with the green dot.

If you look closely, you see that the the second loco is a steamer. It is a German 01 type which was restored by a group of enthusiasts here in Switzerland. The brown loco is an electric Ae 6/8 of the BLS (also an oldie) doing helper service.

 

[RailRon]

On the same fan trip the steam loco made a solo appearance on the point of the train. This shot is also made from the hiking path.

Another interesting detail: The bridge originally was built single track. About 25 years ago, when the last sections of the line were double tracked, they broadened the whole viaduct on the valley side. In fact, the added part is poured concrete (visible in the round openings at the top), but the pillars were blended with simulated masonry stones. Looks great, doesn't it?

Ron

 

[interurban]

Stunning

What a great GREAT lot of pictures. .
And all the info you guys have
Makes me wish I could leave this old way of life for a while And ride some trains over Bridges.Just for a month or so Honey

 

[DanRaitz]

Theres this bridge that crosses the Mojave River just east of Victorville, CA (on the east side of Cajon Pass).

 

[Matthyro]

Ron, thanks for the hiking path info and maps. I have done extensive hiking in the Rocky Mountains and would love the opportuntiy to come to Switzerland but my small pension budget won't allow it so will rely on your beautiful photos.