Re: this story concerning Young's Bridge and the Bluegrass RR Museum. I'm a bit confused here. They seem to be talking about running trains up to the bridge, but not across it. I would think if it held trains safely in 1985, it still could. If not whole trains, at least motorcars, but they seem to be speaking of a pedestrian-only operation. Anyone know more about this?

http://www.kentucky.com/mld/heraldleader/6670870.htm
ryarger@rypn.org

The main thing to remember about the Kentucky River Bridge a.k.a. Young's High Bridge is that this is an old bridge that was built in 1889 and has never been structurally reinforced. Furthermore, it has suffered the effects of both Southern and NS deferred maintaince for several decades.

In the last years of operation, Southern “crew policy” on the line would be to slow the train speed down to a crawl and get off of the train to allow it to cross over the bridge itself. They would then drive or walk over to other side by the adjacent highway and highway bridge. A waiting crewmember on the other side of the bridge would then climb on board and stop the train till the rest of the crew caught up.

The last "train" movement over the bridge period was MOW equipment IIRC.

Also, like everything else, insurance cost raises it is ugly head. The museum owns the line up to ten or so feet before the bridge on the East side. The rest is still owned by NS with
100 feet or so of the bridge being in Woodford County. The rest lies in Anderson County..
While some members of the museum (I included) would love to run the line all the way into Lawrenceburg over both YHB and Cedar Brook Viaduct, the simple fact is that until liability costs on one bridge, let alone both, prohibit the museum from taking ownership of the line. The Rails to Trails folks are pushing for the counties to take ownership of the line from BGRM end of line into Lawrenceburg, which would move the insurance cost over to the taxpayers.

Also, if the counties take over the line for a rail trail, it is very doubtful if any work would be done on the bridge to the effect that it could safely support a train. That is, if the rails are even allowed to stay in place.

Also, let us face facts. BGRM does not have a good reputation in its immediate community nor the rail community. What few resources BGRM has at the moment is focused on over coming that reputation. So far there has been some positive steps but there also have been negative. But you have to admit, if BGRM could run trains over both bridges, it would be a heck of a tourist draw if done correctly. But to get there, it is going to take money, time, and more money to get there.

Standard disclaimers apply.


nyc3005@yahoo.com

> The main thing to remember about the
> Kentucky River Bridge a.k.a. Young's High
> Bridge is that this is an old bridge that
> was built in 1889 and has never been
> structurally reinforced. Furthermore, it has
> suffered the effects of both Southern and NS
> deferred maintaince for several decades.

> In the last years of operation, Southern
> “crew policy” on the line would be to slow
> the train speed down to a crawl and get off
> of the train to allow it to cross over the
> bridge itself. They would then drive or walk
> over to other side by the adjacent highway
> and highway bridge. A waiting crewmember on
> the other side of the bridge would then
> climb on board and stop the train till the
> rest of the crew caught up.

> The last "train" movement over the
> bridge period was MOW equipment IIRC.

> Also, like everything else, insurance cost
> raises it is ugly head. The museum owns the
> line up to ten or so feet before the bridge
> on the East side. The rest is still owned by
> NS with
> 100 feet or so of the bridge being in
> Woodford County. The rest lies in Anderson
> County..
> While some members of the museum (I
> included) would love to run the line all the
> way into Lawrenceburg over both YHB and
> Cedar Brook Viaduct, the simple fact is that
> until liability costs on one bridge, let
> alone both, prohibit the museum from taking
> ownership of the line. The Rails to Trails
> folks are pushing for the counties to take
> ownership of the line from BGRM end of line
> into Lawrenceburg, which would move the
> insurance cost over to the taxpayers.

> Also, if the counties take over the line for
> a rail trail, it is very doubtful if any
> work would be done on the bridge to the
> effect that it could safely support a train.
> That is, if the rails are even allowed to
> stay in place.

> Also, let us face facts. BGRM does not have
> a good reputation in its immediate community
> nor the rail community. What few resources
> BGRM has at the moment is focused on over
> coming that reputation. So far there has
> been some positive steps but there also have
> been negative. But you have to admit, if
> BGRM could run trains over both bridges, it
> would be a heck of a tourist draw if done
> correctly. But to get there, it is going to
> take money, time, and more money to get
> there.

> Standard disclaimers apply.

On a weekday visit to Bluegrass Railroad Museum last year, I saw Young's High Bridge for the first time. The view took my breath away (the photo accompanying the story in the paper does not do it justice!) I was on the adjacent highway bridge over the valley which was "way the heck up there." But Young's Bridge was higher still! This bridge is only slightly less high (down to the valley floor) than Kinzua was! I can understand the liability and insurance problems from such a bridge but folks, here we have a bridge that is nearly as impressive as Kinzua Viaduct but IS STILL STANDING! I think that plans for a trail on the bridge border on the ridiculous. Can you picture a hiker or biker going over the edge? Even with a railing or fence, there is no guarantee that some individual wouldn't one day make a mistake. At least a train keeps riders in their cars. Sure the bridge has to be inspected to ensure safety and sure, heavier rail cars would be banned to lessen the stress on the bridge, but it could be done. Certainly insurance is a problem, but not insurmountable. And the authorities; state and counties have to take a lead. I would suggest that a special day (or weekend) be set up to operate over the bridge. Publicize it and see what kind of a turnout you get. Insurance only for those days of operation. Perhaps by seeing what kind of a turnout comes out, the state, counties and local authorities will realize just what an attraction Young's High Bridge could be to the local economies.

Let's not lose this bridge too!

Les Beckman (Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum/North Judson, Indiana)


midlandblb@cs.com

I took a long look at this bridge about '95, when NS was offering it for $1. This bridge is WAY scarier, in all ways, than Kinzua. 500'+ clear cantilever over the river, pin connected. Took lots of photos, showed them to my resident Engineers, and they all kinda backed away....

It's incredible. Locally, Kinzua HAS been a very successful park, walking over the bridge was done safely for many years, and having done both the train and the walk, the walk was WAY WAY scarier than the train any day. Looking down to the valley between the planks did something to you. So, I'd like to sentimentally think that Youngs has future for a trail/park, but as a non-engineer, there's no way in the world I'd EVER go out on that bridge on a train. Too many pin-connected members under tension for me hangin' in the thin blue. Give me a nice gravity-flow load-bearing trestle (like Kinzua) any day. But I'll also say I'd really hope this brige gets used/preserved - I think it probably makes more sense to save that one than rebuild Kinzua as it sits at the moment.

randygustafson@stoneconsulting.com

> I took a long look at this bridge about '95,
> when NS was offering it for $1. This bridge
> is WAY scarier, in all ways, than Kinzua.
> 500'+ clear cantilever over the river, pin
> connected. Took lots of photos, showed them
> to my resident Engineers, and they all kinda
> backed away....

That's scary in itself, seeing the way your guys jungle gymed the L&WV viaduct (much shorter, much lower, probably just as corroded).

Our bridge inspector recommended cutting down all trees to the ROW line around such bridges, the big enemy being a build up of leaves in the fall that the bridge collects. These hold water and snow greatly increasing the corrosion problem.

lamontdc@adelphia.net

It is nice to know that the bridge is still standing. I had a job assignment in Lawrenceburg about twenty five years ago, and two times every day I would drive by the bridge. At that time I was amazed it would stand on its own, let alone carry trains, and even made several sketches of how the trusswork and approaches were put together. Only line drawings really, but it is a fascinating structure and at that time was little remarked by fans, or the public. Pretty much just part of the landscape.

If in the area, do not forget a visit to downtown Lawrenceburg. But first rent and view the classic George C. Scott film, "The Flim Flam Man"; many of the scenes were staged and filmed there.

I wonder if Anderson's Cafe is still there and serving their fried egg, country ham, and drippings breakfast. A real artery clogger, but oh so good!

Bob Kutella



68trolley@comcast.net

It sounds like the old bridge may be impractical for real train operation, but what about motorcars/trailers, which are light weight, yet provide a unique experience for visitors. This would seem a practical approach that would keep the bridge rail-relevant, yet somewhat safe, perhaps even safer than pedestrian use. Anyone have some photos of the bridge?

ryarger@rypn.org

> Anyone have some photos of the bridge?

Went digging for some but this is all I could come up with. If someone has better pictures it would be interesting to see them.

I'm not at all sure I'd feel safe in a motorcar...


http://www.kyrailtrail.org/WTT/WT9.html
SJHussar@aol.com

> Went digging for some but this is all I
> could come up with. If someone has better
> pictures it would be interesting to see
> them.

That's probably as good a picture as can be taken without use of a light plane or helicopter. Not a lot of good sightlines and if you are far enough away to get the bridge and approaches, it is just a thin line across the middle of the frame.

By the way, the plant in the background is the Wild Turkey Distillery and although it is not advertised, years ago I drove in there and announced I would like a tour. AND I GOT ONE!!

Bob Kutella


68trolley@comcast.net

Another reader of this board mentioned this bridge to me over dinner last week, and we got up from the table and looked in Plowden's "Bridges," and found two stunning pictures of Young's High Bridge. It does indeed look to be at about the stratospheric level, with its pin-connected cantilever perched on spindly piers.

Remember, Plowden's book is available again in a revised edition. You need one.

Aarne Frobom
The Steam Railroading Institute
P. O. Box 665
Owosso, MI 48867-0665