Since I haven't seen this posted here yet, I might as well. The Friends of the Stewartstown Railroad need your help to restore rail service over the line's "Iron Bridge".

"The Friends of the Stewartstown Railroad, Inc. are soliciting donations to install 25 new bridge timbers on the historic Iron bridge. Also known as Valley Road Bridge, or bridge #7, it is the single oldest structure on the railroad. While the Stewartstown Railroad was constructed in 1885, this bridge was originally built for the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1870. The frugal Stewartstown Railroad purchased the bridge second-hand and moved it into place around 1885. In approximately 1920, the original Pratt truss bridge was supplemented with a girder structure. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.

The rail line in the nearby vicinity has been out of service to trains since 2004 when a minor derailment demonstrated the need for a significant tie rehabilitation program. Running full-sized trains over the revitalized bridge will be a significant milestone in the expansion of passenger excursions. Train rides currently stop just short of the Iron bridge due to the need for bridge timber replacement.

New bridge timbers have already been purchased. Funds raised will be used to pay for installation by a professional contractor. Unfortunately, due to the height and length of the bridge, we do not feel comfortable asking volunteers to perform this dangerous work. Donations in excess of the contractor fees will be used to purchase ties to expand the length of class 1 track beyond the bridge."

For more, click here and any donations, I'm sure, will be greatly appreciated: https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign ... ric-bridge

Wouldn't bother me any to change out the timbers. Plenty of structure to tie off to.

Catskill Mountain RR all volunteers 2011 http://photos.greatrails.net/showpic/?p ... ex=0&key2= http://photos.greatrails.net/showpic/?p ... ex=0&key2=:

I applaude The Friends of the Stewartstown Railroad, Inc. for making the decision to use a professional contractor for this work. "When in doubt, the safe course must be taken"

Correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that the iron trusses do not actually support any track weight, which rests on the girders placed on concrete abutments inside the truss. If that is the case, is this just for the timbers on the girder bridge or also the crossties that now set on grade within the iron truss?

As an aside, it seems like a really bad idea to have the bottoms of the trusses covered in soil as they are. It is sure to rot them out.

Here are some nice drawings, and a brief history of the bridge....

https://www.loc.gov/resource/hhh.pa2257.sheet/?sp=1

Here's a video from their recent Easter trips, showing the current end of Class 1 trackage - as well as a quick shot of the Iron Bridge: https://youtu.be/eoYN6s6_Zg8

Donations are still needed to finish raising funds for the bridge work!