There are three bridges in Nile Canyon, along Alameda Creek, near Fremont CA, on the Niles Canyon Railway. All sit on at least some 1865 or 1869 masonry, left over from the original line, which was built by the original (1862) Western Pacific Railroad, the western most part of the original transcontinental, described in the 1862 and 1864 Pacific Railroad Act.

The current bridges date to 1896, 1898 and 1906. They are Pin connected trusses, Phoenix through girder and riveted through trusses.

These appear to be unique survivors from a now distant past.

Is there any other surviving masonry from the original transcontinental railroad left in California, or any other surviving pin connected steel bridges (also in California?)

I am trying to have these listed on the National/State or other registerÂ…

Randy Hees



hees@ix.netcom.com

On the Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad, former SP Tillamook branch, former Pacific Railway & Navigation, there are several bridges dating from the trun of the century and before. The line was built around 1905. I have been told, but can not confirm, that these bridges were brought up by the SP from the Scaramento Valley in the 20's or 30's when they were replaced in California with newer bridges. They are of the pin truss type.

Amazingly they can carry the weight of SD-9s and loaded 200+ thousand pound lumber cars. It's a strange sound to hear the truss rods tighten up when going across the bridge.

Contact me if you need more info or pictures.

Aaron Zorko

shay2305@oregoncoast.com

Randy,

Sorry I can't help with the California stuff. But as a side note, in the lower Truckee River Canyon in Nevada, I think there are two pin connected trusses, Phoenix through girder and riveted through trusses being used as road crossings.

Also, there are places in the canyon to see original masonry structures as built by CP in its eastward endevor.

Sorry, I couldn't help with the California stuff, but thought you might find the above of some interest.

Jimmy "B"
Reno, NV

> There are three bridges in Nile Canyon,
> along Alameda Creek, near Fremont CA, on the
> Niles Canyon Railway. All sit on at least
> some 1865 or 1869 masonry, left over from
> the original line, which was built by the
> original (1862) Western Pacific Railroad,
> the western most part of the original
> transcontinental, described in the 1862 and
> 1864 Pacific Railroad Act.

> The current bridges date to 1896, 1898 and
> 1906. They are Pin connected trusses,
> Phoenix through girder and riveted through
> trusses.

> These appear to be unique survivors from a
> now distant past.

> Is there any other surviving masonry from
> the original transcontinental railroad left
> in California, or any other surviving pin
> connected steel bridges (also in
> California?)

> I am trying to have these listed on the
> National/State or other registerÂ…

> Randy Hees


Lassenlogger@charter.net

Can't remember exactly, but is the Marysville / Yuba City "Shamrock" bridge not pin truss?

dave

irondave@bellsouth.net

There are surviving masonry bridge supports (abutments) from the original (early 1880s) southern transcontinental or Sunset line across Texas. Some are quite impressive. Few have seen them though.

> Is there any other surviving masonry from
> the original transcontinental railroad left
> in California, or any other surviving pin
> connected steel bridges (also in
> California.

There is a pin connected bridge near Snoqualmie, WA which crosses (I believe) the Snoqualmie River. This bridge was originally somewhere on the transcontinental NP main across Montana and I believe was moved to its present location when the current location was an NP branch line.

Randy,
Hope this helps you out...
http://cprr.org/Museum/HAER_No._CA-196_LOC-CA2394.html
HISTORIC AMERICAN ENGINEERING RECORD [HAER No. CA-196]:
CENTRAL PACIFIC TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD

O.A.


CP Transcontinental RR

The bridge was built in 1891 and used in Montana before being moved to North Bend, WA in 1923 to the Snoqualmie Branch becoming Bridge 35. Yes it is the Snoqualmie River. The bridge was painted and had support work done last year. More info at trainmuseum.org

Richard Wilkens

> There is a pin connected bridge near
> Snoqualmie, WA which crosses (I believe) the
> Snoqualmie River. This bridge was originally
> somewhere on the transcontinental NP main
> across Montana and I believe was moved to
> its present location when the current
> location was an NP branch line.


Northwest Railway Museum

Randy,

This will refer to the transcontinental part of your request. One of the passenger cars at the Nevada State Railroad Museum is the only car that is known to have been at the Golden Spike ceremony at Promintory in May 1869.

The museum may have already placed their equipment on the National Register. It may also be on a state register.

Ted Miles

ted_miles@nps.gov