An Amtrak train crosses the Lewis River in Woodland, Washington. On top of this old railroad bridge is some sort of shack, what the purpose is or was I don’t know.
If anyone knows what the old shack was used for feel free to let me know via comment.
At any rate thanks for watching and enjoy the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ksJAVgK-HI&list=UUxphuYXthayPvLpIADmutHA&index=1&feature=plcp
I know nothing about that bridge except what I see in the video… the little house on top and the larger center pier under it suggests it is a swing bridge to let water traffic through. The bulding was for the operator to sit in while operating the swing controls.
Control house on a swing bridge. Ex NP, now used by BNSF, UP & Amtrak. Opens rarely anymore to ship/barge traffic and no longer has a full time bridge tender IIRC.
Yeah, it is a swing bridge. The center span will swivel on the pier it sits on to allow boat traffic on either side…there are channel markets there for boats. Very common type bridge.
…Was a little surprised the speed Amtrak did crossing the elderly bridge. With it still able to be rotated, I’d think the passenger train would move across it at a slower speed.
Mechanicals have to be in place correctly and stable, {and they probably are}, but just seems {to me}, a little more caution would be used.
Guess not.
There’s still a swing bridge on Amtrak’s trackage in Michigan City. Judging from the number of high-masted pleasure craft seen upstream from time to time, it’s still in use (probably ten months out of the year, based on other traditions observed near Lake Michigan). But that corridor is now upgraded to a 110-mph maximum. I know that Amtrak goes much more sedately though Michigan City, due to curves, a diamond, and many grade crossings, but the bridge is still taken at a decent clip.
This is my first post on this forum. I suscribed to Trains magazine for over 25 years,but let my subscription run out after a succession of moves. I’m pretty much a hard core railfan, and have brainwashed my son successfully into following my footsteps. I’m very glad to be here,and I thank you all for having me. But anyway,I just wanted to comment that in Southern New Jersey, where I’ve lived most of my life, those swing-span bridges were common on lines to the seashore crossing the intercoastal waterway. PRSL had several of them, two of which are still in service, one in Atlantic city which sees NJ Transit commuter trains, and one into Cape May used by a tourist line.
Well congrats on the first post, its good to know about the swing span bridges. I am a relatively new member myself.
Look foward to seeing you posts.
There are multiple locking devices involved in drawbridges of all varieties, swing spans as illustrated, vertical lift bridges and bascule lift bridges that are specifically designed to ensure the correct alignment for the passage of trains at the designated speeds. If all the locking devices are not properly in place - one is not able to get a signal across the span.
I can’t speak for other carriers, on my carrier if we are unable to line a signal across the span, bridge technicians are summoned to diagnose and repair the condition to permit the movement of trains.
Hi. The bridge obviously is a swing bridge, and the shack would hold the controls for opening the bridge, to let river traffic through, and most likely also contain an interlocking link to the signals at both ends. I don’t know that particular bridge, or whether it’s still used as such. Nice video!
Jack Aiple cpr2816@yahoo.ca
I have rode the Amtrak Cascades Train several times when crossing the bridge, unless there was some sort of delay or restriction, I think the train would usually cross the bridge at 79 MPH.
I thought it was probably some sort of control shed. I’ve never seen a swing bridge work, none in our area that I know of. Did go across a lift bridge at Ft. Smith, AR when I rode on a rare mileage special on the A&M two years ago. Since my family was Frisco, this was especially interesting to me, because I had never been on that part of Frisco. It was very interesting to see the lift go up and down, it’s an old bridge too. We don’t even have any drawbridges in our area.
there are several drawbridges on the amtrak portland - seattle run, and several more visible on diverging routes. one, across the willamette river in north portland, was the world’s longest horizontal swing bridge until replaced by a vertical lift about 30 years ago. there are still 7 drawbridges and 7 tunnels between seattle and vancouver BC
Are you talking about the new draw bridge near the area of the Saint Johns bridge in Portland? By the Lake Yard?
You make a good point there.
This YouTube video shows two railroad swing bridges, one opened and one being opened after an Amtrak train goes through. It is shot in Milwaukee, where three rivers meet and empty into Lake Michigan
By the way the music is a nice feature of the film so have your sound on
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usPih0oPZIg
Dave Nelson
Great Video capturing both the Swing Bridge and the train crossing over it! [tup]
Timelapse video was very interesting
But I shut the sound off.
I am wondering how long the actual transit was that the YouTube edit showed in 2 minutes 47 seconds?
Just as a quick refresher course, a swing bridge, such as shown in your video, pivots on a center pier. This left excellent clearance but a fairly narrow channel. A lift bridge has 2 tall towers that lift the center span, with the result of a much better channel but restricted height. A bascule bridge lifts the entire span to about 75 or 80 degrees with a huge mechanism and counterweights at the mechanical end. Probably the best combo of channel width and height, but I suspect terrificly expensive and maintenance intensive. I grew up in the Vancouver BC area, and we had numerous examples of swing bridges and a couple of lift bridges in the area. Hope this casts a bit more light