Bridge detail pictures

[KIM]

Bridges are unique. Many may fit a "standard", but each bridge has it's own Characteristics. Some blend into the scene, while others stand out from it, and each weathers different from another. Often we're surprised, not only by the fact that a bridge is still in use, but by what is transported over it. In this thread posters will be displaying the weathering of real world bridges in a manner that will benefit those of us who model them.

[KIM]

I took the pictures of this bridge in Chariton, Iowa, in 1999. AT that time the BNSF was using it, as well as AMTRAK. The location is on the southeast side of town, and the depot is about 1/2 mile(ish) west of this location.


This is a full view from the west. It has an Art Deco flair to it, and doesn't look to bad from a distance.


This is another distance shot, but gives a "feel" for the location and setting.


In this shot we start to view some of the decay. Note the painted stripes haven't been retouched in years. Also one can see that cement has been falling from the underside of the bridge. Only one side carries traffic, as the other has been abandoned.


Here one can see the open spacing between the tracks. Note the simple railing. This is the side that carries traffic, which includes AMTRAK.


This is the abandoned side. Once again, note the deterioration.

[KIM]

The next few pictures were taken from the top side, and will show the both the railroad's and Ma Nature's changes. While taking these pictures, I did have somebody watching for trains. I also had permission.







In these pictures, you can see the shrubbery that has taken over, including bushes in the thin layer of soil over the road. Note also that the railing is curved at the corners, instead of using L joints. What were clean edges to the cement in it's early years, has now become jagged and quite uneven.

[KIM]

This last set of pictures will deal with the abandoned track.


This is the edge of the abandoned track. Note how tall the weeds grow, even in such shallow soil.

Trees grow fast in a very short period of time.

A well maintained mainline rises above the the abandoned roadway next to it.

In this picture we see a better view of what was mentioned in the picture above.

I hope these pictures will be beneficial to you in your bridge detailing, and I encourage others to share their pictures as well.

[rhpd42002]

Douglas, those are some pretty good pictures. I take a lot of pics when I can, but I can't recall having taken any of bridges. I've been meaning to of a few around here. Now I have a "reason". Just have to get the time and maybe be able to get permission to get some from the tracks, too.
This could be a really good topic.

[calzephyr]

Doug
Do you know the history of the second track being on a different bridge? Was that a different railroad or maybe added later on?

thanks
Larry

[KIM]

I'm not sure. My guess is that it would have been the same line, but built when traffic was much heavier. It was probably abandoned due to passenger trains becoming shorter and stopping less often. There would have been less upkeep on one bridge as compared to two. It would be interesting to find the history of the bridge.

[fredmoehrle]

One reason I've read is that the old east bound bridges were abandoned first because of the damage done by the salt water runoff from old ice reefers.
That is, if the bridge is old enough to have seen ice reefers.

[catt]

Thanks for the bridge pics Doug.My wife saw them and immedately said I should find a place to put one on my layout. ;D

Did not tell her ,but I was thinking the very same thing.

[KIM]

I'm still hoping that we can get more people to post their bridge pictures, and in order to stimulate that, I'll offer another bridge from Chariton. I only got the one picture because I had a Sheriff that was suspicious of me. It's interesting that this was before 9/11. I think he actually thought that I was out "casing" farms.



This is a highway overpass. Note the different supports under it. Many of us tend to have all the supports the same. When we follow the practices shown here, our bridges become more interesting. The first bridge that I displayed was on the east side of town. This one is west of town. The first one had track removed, whereas, on the west side of town, there's still a passing siding. You'll note here that there's track passing under the bridge on raised ground in the back, but there's also track in the cut in the foreground. Modeling this adds drama to a layout.

[nashoba]

Enjoy!

Mark

[nashoba]

And another..



Mark

[nashoba]

Pedestrian Bridge



Mark

[KIM]

Mark, your timing couldn't have been better. I've got a bike/pedestrian bridge in progress, that I've been working on a way to access.

[calzephyr]

This bridge is in Auburn, CA over Interstate 80.



This one is over Interstate 80 east of Colfax.

[railthunder]

May 17, 2012 19:26:32 GMT -8 calzephyr said:

Doug
Do you know the history of the second track being on a different bridge? Was that a different railroad or maybe added later on?

thanks
Larry

This is on the former Burlington main from Omaha to Chicago which was double track at one time.

[calzephyr]

May 23, 2012 5:39:11 GMT -8 nashoba said:

Pedestrian Bridge



Mark

Mark
Is the track out of service completely? I can't see any track that looks to be used.
Thanks
Larry

[nashoba]

The upper (foreground) track looks long out of service. This shot is at least 20 years old

Mark

[trainset]

Thought this was cool...Shelby NC near Landfill..CSX main

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[trainset]

another shot

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[trainset]

Talking about a tight fit?... BY the way..I am "Krashthesk8er" formally of Atlas forums.. Glad to see some of the Atlas members...

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[KIM]

That is tight. Where is it?

[rhpd42002]

I'd be cringing if I saw some doublestacks headed that way!

Welcome to the Forum, trainset.

I've been to Shelby, but not in 6 years or so, now. Haven't really had time to railfan when up that way. A good friend of mine used to live there and in Kings Mountain.

[trainset]

That pic was near Bowater plant in SC Just below Charlotte, or just east of Rock Hill. Yep..Lived beside double main there in KM for about 8 years.. Bought the house I grew up in so back to Shelby..lol