CSX Cumberland Swing Bridge

Cumberland railroad bridge.

Webmaster's note: The photo that was here has been incorporated into the main site.

The Railfanning link is referring to a swing bridge at Clarksville, not Nashville.

Yeah, you guys are right -- also, I'm an idiot, since the original wooden bridge burned down in 1864, so that makes no sense.

Looks like those sources are either wrong or they are referring to a different bridge..

Chris,

The technology associated with this bridge and its design was not available until around 1900, so I think that the build date shown is correct. This bridge is most likely a replacement for the bridge that was built in 1859. This is definitely a post-1900 truss design.

The truss spans of this bridge stylistically date to the 20th Century. The 1916 date seems appropriate. Trusses with members this massive and with riveted connections were not built in 1859. Very few railroad truss bridges built before 1880 exist today because they were not strong enough to handle increasing loads.

Hey guys,

I am finding numerous references claiming that this bridge was built in 1859, not 1916.

As it replaced the original wooden structure burned in the civil war, this seems much more likely, unless the bridge was not replaced for over 50 years.

References:

http://railfanning.org/2009/11/historic-trestle-a-landmark-in-its-own-right/

"Nashville Then and Now" also makes reference to an 1859 build date.

Thoughts?

My pleasure MP!

Thank you again for you help, Anthony. All done, t'is right here.

http://bridgehunter.com/tn/davidson/bh48374/

Mike, as long as it's separated by land between the 2 structures you would consider it to be individual.

Here is an example of a 2 span bridge (1 structure) over a stream and a short land separation followed by a plate girder over a roadway that is another structure:

http://bridgehunter.com/in/marion/fall-river-creek/

http://bridgehunter.com/in/marion/bh39071/

You should add a new page for the little girder bridge and post your pics to it! :)

I have a question, that may be either technical or opinion. I was wandering around Nashville this morning, taking pictures of this n' that, and discovered that approximately 100' from this bridge, the railroad crosses 1st Ave. on the little bridge I've attached a photo of. This bridge was built by the same company at the same time. So, does it count as a separate bridge, or a stand-alone one?