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UP - Eddyville Rail Bridge

Monroe County, Iowa

Photos 

Photo taken by Nick Trimberger

View this photo on Flickr

BH Photo #235819

Map 

Description 

This bridge and it's southern neighbor (UP - Industrial Park Bridge) were once one massive structure, totaling a whopping 3,185ft. The area between the two bridges was formerly linked by a 12 span (246') timber pile trestle, a single span (22') I-beam, and then a huge 134 span (1841') timber pile trestle. A bad flood in 1964 wiped out a large portion of the middle of the bridge, severely damaging the timber spans. Rather than rebuilding them, the railroad chose to fill in the area, creating two separate bridges.

Build date provided by ICC Valuation Summary Report, courtesy Doug Harding collection.

Facts 

Overview
Pratt through truss bridge over Des Moines River & Muchakinock Creek on Union Pacific Railroad
Location
Eddyville, Monroe County, Iowa
Status
Open to traffic
History
Built 1900, approach washed out and filled in 1964
Railroads
- Chicago & North Western Railway (CNW)
- Iowa Central Railway (IAC)
- Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway (M&StL; MSTL)
- Union Pacific Railroad (UP)
Design
7 Pratt through trusses with A-frame portal bracing and riveted connections. South approach consists of trestle spans.
--------------------
(Design pre-1964)
7 Sp. Pin connected Pratt Through Truss (977')
12 Sp. Timber Pile Trestle (246')
1 Sp. I-Beam (22')
134 Sp. Timber Pile Trestle (1841')
1 Sp. Warren Through Truss (99')
Total length pre-1964: 3185ft.
Source: 1959 CNW track chart
Dimensions
Length of largest span: 142.0 ft.
Total length: 1,215.0 ft.
Also called
M&StL - Des Moines River Bridge (Eddyville)
CNW - Eddyville Rail Bridge
UP - Des Moines River Bridge (Eddyville)
CNW - Des Moines River Bridge (Eddyville)
M&StL - Eddyville Rail Bridge
MSTL Bridge #525
Approximate latitude, longitude
+41.15565, -92.64153   (decimal degrees)
41°09'20" N, 92°38'29" W   (degrees°minutes'seconds")
Approximate UTM coordinates
15/530077/4556098 (zone/easting/northing)
Quadrangle map:
Eddyville
Inventory number
BH 51934 (Bridgehunter.com ID)

Categories 

6-panel truss (569)
A-frame portal (409)
Beam (13,971)
Built 1900 (897)
Built during 1900s (6,709)
Chicago & North Western Railway (1,295)
Des Moines River (226)
Eddyville, Iowa (7)
Historic Bridge Weekend 2013 (145)
Iowa (6,149)
Iowa Central Railway (39)
Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway (139)
Monroe County, Iowa (52)
 Open (38,338)
Owned by railroad (10,912)
Pratt through truss (4,863)
Pratt truss (8,464)
Railroad (14,223)
Riveted (2,016)
Span length 125-175 feet (3,960)
Through truss (13,801)
Timber stringer (3,580)
Total length 1000-2500 feet (1,729)
Truss (30,875)
Union Pacific Railroad (2,134)

Update Log 

  • December 11, 2018: Updated by Luke: Corrected build date
  • October 20, 2017: New photos from John Marvig
  • October 3, 2016: Updated by Dylan VanAntwerp: Added info
  • January 13, 2016: New photo from Tim Courtney
  • August 16, 2013: New photos from John Marvig
  • July 2, 2013: New photos from John Marvig
  • June 30, 2013: Updated by Luke Harden: Added builder
  • May 7, 2013: Updated by John Marvig: Added information
  • March 2, 2013: Updated by Dylan VanAntwerp: Added category "Chicago & North Western Railway"
  • July 24, 2012: Photo imported by Luke Harden
  • June 24, 2012: Updated by Luke Harden: Corrected railroad
  • April 3, 2012: Added by Jason Smith

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Sources 

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