http://binged.it/13wj9sY now HOW does that work
It would work the same as any other swing bridge. The pivot point is NOT at the center of the span and part of the span would swing over land to line up with the rails which are set in dry land.
Use Google and you can see that it is a fixed open girder span that was removed from it’s abutments, turned 90 degrees and left in place. The other tracks around the plant are now trails. This one is out of service or abandoned.
Not sure where you get out of service or abandoned from. FYI that’s around MP 1 of the CN Manitowoc Sub. All of those tracks around the area are still in use as well. They see the L524 (Neenah - Manitowoc turn), L531 and L535 (Neenah/Menasha area locals), and L533 going to to the Chilton Sub. Plus the occasional C711 (coke train) to Manitowoc. Far from abandoned or out of service.
Speeds are around 20 MPH but the quantity of stop signs make the chase challenging when done safely.
The bridge is similar in design to the Conrail bridge over Mantua Creek in Paulsboro, NJ that failed in November, 2012.
Because the pivot is not in the center, there will be extra ballast in the short end to keep the weight balanced. Because of that extra design consideration, and weight, center pivots are preferred. When that is not an option you make the necessary compromise.
John
On Google maps, you can see the bridge open on the satellite view and closed on the street view.
The bridge is only kept open during Navigation Season. Otherwise it’s closed. It’s a “non-interlocking” bridge with controls on either side to manually line/lock it for rail use.
Would be interesting to see the mechanism that moves that thing into position.
The bridge seems to be very similar to the former PRR swing bridge in Lewes DE.
A Google search for “Lewes DE Railroad Bridge” will bring up some videos of the Lewes bridge in operation.
Let me see what I can do. I live about 10 minutes away.
Very intrestresting…the plot thickens
This bridge is in Menasha, Wisconsin over the boating canal between Lake Winnebago and Little Lake Butte des Morts. I grew up just blocks from there in the mid '50s and watched and heard those trains all the time. The tracks ran right behind the grade school I attended and two blocks from my house. Dan is correct, they are still very much in use.
Saw it operated today…Conductor flips open box on one side and opens bridge ,train goes over bridge conductor flips open box and presses button until bridge is closed.no bridge tender needed…Bridge has counterweights on one side and swings in the middle. Also I got to close the canal locks today on lock one on the fox river