Trains NewsWire EXCLUSIVE: Illinois short line bridge collapses

It remains to be seen if the press sensationalize this accident.

Mr. Sanders’ photo seems to show two wood supports on the west end of the bridge. Seems to me the railroad knew the bridge was weak and that this collapse was pretty much inevitable.

By looking at Steve’s excellent photo that accompanies his article you can see that: - it is a pin connected truss - the abutments are intact - scour protection for the abutments is intact - there are fractures of connections I don’t think heavy rain had anything to do with this collapse. I would bet on a derailment. Oh, and it will be closer to a year instead of a month. They just don’t have bridges sitting on the shelf somewhere.

Older bridges than this one are in use every day, by heavier trains, in more populated areas. But recent years have seen so many “100 year floods” in that area that it will be interesting to learn, rather than speculate about, the causes of the failure. My hunch is that it was not the metal or the design. I do agree that this is not a matter of a month, unless you have the resources of a Union Pacific (witness their quick recovery when a somewhat similar bridge at Galt gave way a few years ago). I hate to be a prophet of doom but the Keokuk Jct does not have those resources, and in some ways this is more comparable to the bridge failure that basically shut down the Illinois Terminal permanently.

David Nelson wrote: “I hate to be a prophet of doom but the Keokuk Jct does not have those resources, and in some ways this is more comparable to the bridge failure that basically shut down the Illinois Terminal permanently.”

One difference is that ITC intended to retire the old traction main between North Lincoln and Allentown after it purchased the ex-PRR/PC Peoria Secondary and rehabilitated enough to allow at least 10mph speeds. The August 7, 1977 derailment that destroyed the Mackinaw River Bridge simply accelerated that retirement.

if necessary, KJRY could probably borrow funds to purchase a new bridge. Hopefully, insurance and/or the railroads own resources will help as well. And who knows, if recent heavy rains played a role, then taxpayers might help out :slight_smile:

“PHILIP HOM from VIRGINIA said:
It remains to be seen if the press sensationalize this accident.”

Most likely, not. It happened out in what the lame-scream media considers to be nowhere, red state country. No deaths or injuries. Nothing to report here.

Quite honestly if you want to go accross a bridge that is as old as your great grand father you go right ahead. Ill be like marland perkins an watch from a safe disstance. You and jim have at it.

@KRIS REHBERG - Bridges are expensive. Really expensive. It’s cheaper to maintain the existing ones than build new bridges.

Saw the picture of the bridge prior to collapse. It appears very rusty or they are using a rust colored paint. Modern bridges, i.e. 1960’s on can be constructed using weathering steel which requires no paint. There was no weathering steel when this bridge was built in 1890, in fact the steel was probably of poorer quality than that used in the Titanic.
Another issue; rust fills fatigue cracks making visual inspection difficult if not impossible.

A few years ago, Toledo, Peoria and Western tried to abandon this line, before selling it to Keokuk Junction. I am glad to hear that Keokuk Junction considers the bridge to be worth rebuilding.

No gang, it was NOT P&PU but Toledo, Peoria and Western!!..
now G&W T P & W , also owner of the former P & P U.(d/b/a Tazewell&Peoria Ry)

You get what you pay for,or don’t pay for. I wouldn’t ride in an airplane, ship, or car on a public right of way that is that old, regardless of how well maintained or inspected it is. Deteriorating infrastructure in this country is a crime of ommission. Like it is said, “No blood, No foul”. What will it take to wake this country up?