Relocated trusses? Any leads on where they might have gone?
I was also surprised by the construction date of 1900. At that time, plate girders and deck plate girders were becoming viable options for railroad use. Thus, I think that it is awesome that we have some stone and brick arches in Leavenworth as opposed to plate girders.
I believe it is the exact same date. I agree about the disappointment, there were at least two dozen arches I figured would be mid-1880s that actually date to the late 1890s. Then again, it’s also a really cool bridge and it’s outlived most every other structure in the area. The difference between 1880 and 1900 in stone arches isn’t huge, unlike trusses.
These bridge records do give an interesting look at bridges on the ATSF. There were some relocated trusses on the Topeka-Atchison line, and even an old turntable overpass in the area.
It's disappointing that this isn't 15-20 years older. I suppose this means the Ninemile Creek bridge is about the same age.
Clark,
Going through these records, I'm guessing these were built as a mass replacement of trestle spans throughout the area. Almost all ATSF arches I see were built between 1895-1900.
That seems like such a late date for this bridge. I have to wonder if this was a rehab or default date.
Finding info on Ninemile Creek to the south would be nice.
See bridge #19E on this ATSF Bridge Record Book.
Is there a source for the 1900 build date?
The area around the bridge was recently cleared out as part of an Eagle Scout project. Source: http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?11,2006819
I've followed the remains of the line north and found a couple of locations I'll look at next time I get up that way. The part north of the fort was taken up between the '51 and '61 topos. The part in town probably lasted into the '80s since they built the Limit Street Bridge in '76. My guess is these were mostly timber pile trestles (like the Sevenmile Creek Bridge) although John's chart shows an old turntable somewhere in the city.
Meanwhile, Luke has added a presumed crossing under the track just east of this to carry the original Limit Street alignment. Much to explore.