Railroad Drawbridge
2 railroads share this common drawbridge over the Tennessee River.
Photo taken by Calvin Sneed in December 2008
BH Photo #131013
Kevin, you're right. It was a swing bridge. I saw some pictures of it on a Facebook page today.
Isn't the lift span newer than the rest of the bridge? When I lived in Huntsville 40 years ago, our family frequently crossed the river on the nearby highway bridge on our way to and from Memphis. I seem to recall the RR bridge being a center-pivot swing bridge, with the channel very near the south bank. I'm guessing modern barge tows had to be busted down to fit through the old opening. Can anyone confirm my memory on this point?
You are correct..I checked with CSX in Jacksonville. That is the control house, not a counterweight. Don't know who added that it was a counterweight. It is not. The counterweight reference is now deleted.
Photo 7: I don't think that is a counterweight - it is on the lift span. It is probably the control house for the bridgetender.
Here is a photo I took of the bridge on October 24, 2010