Train Bridge 2487

Basic

Region: Pennsylvania

Location

Type: Railroad feature
Status: Partially Abandoned

Bridge Structure

Type: Rail
Status: Operational
Length: 390 feet
Height (AGL): 75 feet
Opened: 1895
Closed: mid 1980s

This bridge was built in 1895 by the Erie Railroad to gain access to the coal market. The line and bridge changed hands a few times. In 1972, Hurricane Agnes crippled the Erie Lackawanna, and Conrail picked up operations on the line. Conrail operated the line for a while after, until its eventual abandonment in the mid 1980s.

This bridge has an interesting design. It has a metal structure encasing half of the bridge, while the other half is open. The metal support structure underneath runs the length of the bridge. There is one stone support structure in the middle, at the border of the “covered” and “open” halves. This bridge is also interesting in that a telegraph line used the actual bridge structure instead of telegraph poles.

2019

This bridge is in terrible condition. There are sections where up to 4 ties are missing in a row. All of the ties are rotten and semi-destroyed. In one part of the bridge, you can see that one of the ties fell down to the lower support structure.

2020

Restoration has begun on the bridge; this bridge will eventually be utilized as part of a rails-to-trails route. As of mid 2020, the bridge has had the side telegraph line demolished, and all ties replaced with new, creosote-free ties.

Train Bridge 2487 Standing at the End

Here is the view looking down the length of [[ Train Bridge 2487 ]].

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Train Bridge 2487 Standing in the Middle, Looking West

In this photo I am standing on the mentioned stone support column of [[ Train Bridge 2487 ]], looking west down the bridge. This photo does a good job at showcasing the damage to the bridge, and how bad the ties are.

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Train Bridge 2487 Standing in the Middle, Looking East

Standing on the stone support column of [[ Train Bridge 2487 ]] looking east, you can see the “covered” part of the bridge up close. Just out of this photo was the last remains of the telegraph system that ran on this bridge.

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Train Bridge 2487 Looking Up at the Tie Damage

This photo was taken directly below the “uncovered” part of [[ the bridge // Train Bridge 2487 ]], looking up. This photo does a good joob at showing the sections of missing ties.

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Train Bridge 2487 View of the Bridge from Below

This is a photo of [[ Train Bridge 2487 ]] from the creek below. I had to walk all the way up the creek to take this picture!

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