From the RR Station Historical Society e-group:

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources:
Kinzua Bridge Closes to Train Traffic, State Park to Remain Open

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 27 /PRNewswire/ -- As a result of a recent structural study on the Kinzua Bridge in McKean County, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) today announced it has closed the viaduct to train traffic. However, Kinzua Bridge State Park will remain open to all visitors, and pedestrians are welcome to continue to walk across the 120-year-old bridge.

"The safety of the train passengers visiting Kinzua Bridge State Park is a great concern," State Parks Bureau Director Roger Fickes said. "While closing the viaduct may be an inconvenience for rail riders, the park will
stay open, and visitors can enjoy the bridge's spectacular views."

Structural engineers have concluded that the bridge's pylons are not safe enough to support the weight of the tourist excursion train that crosses the 2,053-foot-long viaduct.

While the structure is not safe enough to support trains, Fickes said there is no danger of a collapse, and pedestrian traffic will remain open barring partial closings to accommodate further inspections. The inspection will continue to take place on weekdays until the entire bridge has been checked.

The closure to rail traffic will affect the Knox, Kane and Kinzua railroad. This rail line has been providing sightseeing tours throughout the region
and over the bridge since 1987.

The Kinzua Bridge was completed in 1882. At the time, it was the highest railroad bridge in the world at 301 feet from the center of the valley. The structure was rebuilt in 1900 to handle heavier trains; it went unused from 1959 to 1987.

The state park around the bridge officially opened in 1970. In 1977, the Kinzua Viaduct received national recognition when it was placed on the National Register of Historic Civil Engineering Landmarks.

For more information on Kinzua Bridge and Pennsylvania's other 115 state parks, visit the PA PowerPort at www.state.pa.us, PA Keyword: "state parks."

CONTACT: Kirk Felix of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, +1-717-772-9101.

SOURCE: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Bernie Wagenblast
Transportation Communications Newsletter
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications/


Cape Cod RR grade-crossing accident story
lner4472@bcpl.net

anybody know what Knox & Kane is going to do as they would seem to be effectively shut down by this incident? I guess the only option would be to build a 2nd wye at the south end of the bridge, but that would take time and money and their track didn't look to be in the greatest shape when I was last there in '99.

Kevin

> From the RR Station Historical Society
> e-group:

> Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and
> Natural Resources:
> Kinzua Bridge Closes to Train Traffic, State
> Park to Remain Open

> HARRISBURG, Pa., June 27 /PRNewswire/ -- As
> a result of a recent structural study on the
> Kinzua Bridge in McKean County, the
> Department of Conservation and Natural
> Resources (DCNR) today announced it has
> closed the viaduct to train traffic.
> However, Kinzua Bridge State Park will
> remain open to all visitors, and pedestrians
> are welcome to continue to walk across the
> 120-year-old bridge.

> "The safety of the train passengers
> visiting Kinzua Bridge State Park is a great
> concern," State Parks Bureau Director
> Roger Fickes said. "While closing the
> viaduct may be an inconvenience for rail
> riders, the park will
> stay open, and visitors can enjoy the
> bridge's spectacular views."

> Structural engineers have concluded that the
> bridge's pylons are not safe enough to
> support the weight of the tourist excursion
> train that crosses the 2,053-foot-long
> viaduct.

> While the structure is not safe enough to
> support trains, Fickes said there is no
> danger of a collapse, and pedestrian traffic
> will remain open barring partial closings to
> accommodate further inspections. The
> inspection will continue to take place on
> weekdays until the entire bridge has been
> checked.

> The closure to rail traffic will affect the
> Knox, Kane and Kinzua railroad. This rail
> line has been providing sightseeing tours
> throughout the region
> and over the bridge since 1987.

> The Kinzua Bridge was completed in 1882. At
> the time, it was the highest railroad bridge
> in the world at 301 feet from the center of
> the valley. The structure was rebuilt in
> 1900 to handle heavier trains; it went
> unused from 1959 to 1987.

> The state park around the bridge officially
> opened in 1970. In 1977, the Kinzua Viaduct
> received national recognition when it was
> placed on the National Register of Historic
> Civil Engineering Landmarks.

> For more information on Kinzua Bridge and
> Pennsylvania's other 115 state parks, visit
> the PA PowerPort at www.state.pa.us, PA
> Keyword: "state parks."

> CONTACT: Kirk Felix of the Pennsylvania
> Department of Conservation and Natural
> Resources, +1-717-772-9101.

> SOURCE: Pennsylvania Department of
> Conservation and Natural Resources

> Bernie Wagenblast
> Transportation Communications Newsletter
>
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications/


kg16630@wcu.edu