It’s a masterpiece, that’s for certain, but it’s actually more of the Art Nouveau school of design, Art Deco wouldn’t come along for another 15 or so years after this was built. As far as Art Nouveau is concerned it’s rather restrained, this is a good example of a pure Art Nouveau bridge…
https://www.nyc-architecture.com/CP/CP019-19.jpg
You know, in my enthusiasm for the Lackawanna bridge I’d forgotten we’ve got one of our own here in Richmond, the old RF&P / ACL bridge over the James River, built in 1919 an currently in use by CSX.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/skynoir/3722523962
While I agree it’s a little early for Art Deco, it’s a little late for Art Nouveau and is not as ornate as any Nouveau variations. Transitional? Or just cast concrete functional? The hand railings were added much later.
Probably cast concrete functional when you come down to it. Mr. Truesdale definately spared no expense building his Cutoff, but I’m sure he drew the line somewhere as far as un-needed embellishment was concerned.
Wayne… thanks for that. Outstanding bridge, I’ve gone back to the picture 5 times now… it is a beauty, very grand. Got to put this on my list of things to see in person. Has a strange calming effect, can’t explain it, the symmetry of those arches reaching down to the main arch is almost musical.
You’re welcome Vince! If you liked that shot of the A-Line bridge over the James, check this one out…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CSX_A-Line_Bridge#/media/File:Atlantic_coastline_trestle.jpg
Just a historic note, the old RF&P ended in the middle of the bridge, and the ACL began.
One thing the photos don’t do is give you an idea of the size of the thing. Trains on the bridge look like N scale models!
And yes, that part of the James River is just as scenic and uncorrupted by developement as it looks.
You know, I was reading about something like that recently in a book on railroads worldwide. Except in that case the bridge was the border between two hostile countries and cars were shoved just far enough for the other guys to take hold. But God help you if the engineer shoved the cars an inch too far or too short! [D)]
That’s interesting Becky. Imagine, two countries that hate each others guts, but not so much that it’s bad for business!
“There’s nought so strange as folks!” as the old British saying goes.
At any rate, there was no animosity between the ACL and the RF&P. The ACL had trackage rights north to the RF&P’s Acca Yard where the trains were handed off to the RF&P for their trips further north. The RF&P had trackage rights south over the bridge but as a rule didn’t go too far south.
Wayne