St. Johnsbury & Lamoille covered bridge
St. Johnsbury & Lamoille County 70-tonner No. 49 exits one of the Vermont road's signature covered bridges. Photo by Richard Sanders Allen Collection
St. Johnsbury & Lamoille County 70-tonner No. 49 exits one of the Vermont road's signature covered bridges. Photo by Richard Sanders Allen Collection
NP bridge at Bismarck
Northern Pacific's bridge over the Missouri River at Bismarck, N.D., is composed of a series of Pennsylvania truss spans. Northern Pacific photo
Northern Pacific's bridge over the Missouri River at Bismarck, N.D., is composed of a series of Pennsylvania truss spans. Northern Pacific photo
SP's Pecos River High Bridge
Completed in 1944 to replace an 1892 structure, Southern Pacific's bridge over the Pecos River near Langtry, Texas, features piers standing 275 feet tall. Historic American Engineering Record photo
Completed in 1944 to replace an 1892 structure, Southern Pacific's bridge over the Pecos River near Langtry, Texas, features piers standing 275 feet tall. Historic American Engineering Record photo
Susquehanna GP18s on a bridge
New York, Susquehanna & Western GP18s 1804 and 1802 lead a freight across a two-span Warren deck truss bridge over the Ramapo River near the northern border of New Jersey. Don Dorflinger photo
New York, Susquehanna & Western GP18s 1804 and 1802 lead a freight across a two-span Warren deck truss bridge over the Ramapo River near the northern border of New Jersey. Don Dorflinger photo
Nickel Plate's big bridge in Cleveland
Three GP9s head a freight across the Nickel Plate Road's double-track lift bridge over the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland in the late 1950s as the caboose of another train leaves the bridge. Herbert H. Harwood Jr. photo
Three GP9s head a freight across the Nickel Plate Road's double-track lift bridge over the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland in the late 1950s as the caboose of another train leaves the bridge. Herbert H. Harwood Jr. photo
GG1 on PRR's Susquehanna River bridge
Pennsy GG1 4821 rumbles over the 3,269-foot bridge across the Susquehanna River at Havre de Grace, Md., with a limited from the South composed of 14 heavyweight cars. Classic Trains collection
Pennsy GG1 4821 rumbles over the 3,269-foot bridge across the Susquehanna River at Havre de Grace, Md., with a limited from the South composed of 14 heavyweight cars. Classic Trains collection
P&LE's massive Ohio River Bridge
The Pittsburgh & Lake Erie's cantilever bridge across the Ohio River at Beaver City, Pa., opened in 1910. The total length of the cantilever is 1,400 feet, with 769 feet between piers. Historic American Engineering Record photo
The Pittsburgh & Lake Erie's cantilever bridge across the Ohio River at Beaver City, Pa., opened in 1910. The total length of the cantilever is 1,400 feet, with 769 feet between piers. Historic American Engineering Record photo
Milwaukee Road in South Dakota
A Milwaukee Road freight kicks up a dusting of snow as it crosses a pin-connected Pratt through-truss bridge over the James River in Yankton, S.D. The Pratt design was the dominant truss bridge style on railroads between the 1890s and 1920s. Mark Vanderboom photo
A Milwaukee Road freight kicks up a dusting of snow as it crosses a pin-connected Pratt through-truss bridge over the James River in Yankton, S.D. The Pratt design was the dominant truss bridge style on railroads between the 1890s and 1920s. Mark Vanderboom photo
Bessemer's biggest
A member of Bessemer & Lake Erie's biggest class of steam power, an H-1 2-10-4, rolls a limestone train over the road's longest and highest bridge. B&LE photo
A member of Bessemer & Lake Erie's biggest class of steam power, an H-1 2-10-4, rolls a limestone train over the road's longest and highest bridge. B&LE photo
Chessie Geeps in Akron
A Chessie System train led by two Geeps (ex-B&O and WM) passes under a skewed pony truss bridge of the Akron & Barberton Belt Railroad in Akron, Ohio. John Beach photo
A Chessie System train led by two Geeps (ex-B&O and WM) passes under a skewed pony truss bridge of the Akron & Barberton Belt Railroad in Akron, Ohio. John Beach photo
Santa Fe's new and old bridges
During 1942-44, the Santa Fe replaced its 1890 through-truss bridge over the Colorado River with a higher-level deck-truss span. Sets of FT diesels pose with west- and eastbound freights during the short time that both bridges were in service. Santa Fe photo
During 1942-44, the Santa Fe replaced its 1890 through-truss bridge over the Colorado River with a higher-level deck-truss span. Sets of FT diesels pose with west- and eastbound freights during the short time that both bridges were in service. Santa Fe photo
Capitol Limited at Harpers Ferry
Baltimore & Ohio's New York-Chicago Capitol Limited poses on the deck-girder bridge over the Potomac River at Harpers Ferry, W. Va., in the late 1930s. B&O photo
Baltimore & Ohio's New York-Chicago Capitol Limited poses on the deck-girder bridge over the Potomac River at Harpers Ferry, W. Va., in the late 1930s. B&O photo
The Chief marches east
Several miles out of Los Angeles Union Station, Santa Fe 4-8-4 3782 leads the eastbound Chief across the viaduct spanning the Arroyo Seco Parkway. Although Santa Fe abandoned this line through Pasadena, the bridge is still in use by Metrolink light rail trains. Wendell H. Kinney photo
Several miles out of Los Angeles Union Station, Santa Fe 4-8-4 3782 leads the eastbound Chief across the viaduct spanning the Arroyo Seco Parkway. Although Santa Fe abandoned this line through Pasadena, the bridge is still in use by Metrolink light rail trains. Wendell H. Kinney photo
NP Northern riding high at Valley City, N.D.
Northern Pacific 4-8-4 2654 rumbles over the big bridge at Valley City, N.D., with a westbound freight sometime around 1950. The colossal structure, still used by BNSF Railway, measures 3,800 feet long and stands 154 feet above the Sheyenne River. Linn H. Westcott photo
Northern Pacific 4-8-4 2654 rumbles over the big bridge at Valley City, N.D., with a westbound freight sometime around 1950. The colossal structure, still used by BNSF Railway, measures 3,800 feet long and stands 154 feet above the Sheyenne River. Linn H. Westcott photo
B&O freight in Baltimore
Mikado 4615 leads a southbound freight toward Howard Street Tunnel in May 1951. The train is crossing above tracks of the Pennsylvania's Northern Central line as well as the Maryland & Pennsylvania. Today, the Baltimore Streetcar Museum occupies the area under the bridge. John F. Endler Jr. photo
Mikado 4615 leads a southbound freight toward Howard Street Tunnel in May 1951. The train is crossing above tracks of the Pennsylvania's Northern Central line as well as the Maryland & Pennsylvania. Today, the Baltimore Streetcar Museum occupies the area under the bridge. John F. Endler Jr. photo
Rock Island suburban train
FP7 405 leads a Chicago-bound Rock Island suburban train out of Joliet Union Station (out of view to the left) in fall 1951. The connecting track at right leads to the Santa Fe/Gulf, Mobile & Ohio right of way. Wallace W. Abbey photo
FP7 405 leads a Chicago-bound Rock Island suburban train out of Joliet Union Station (out of view to the left) in fall 1951. The connecting track at right leads to the Santa Fe/Gulf, Mobile & Ohio right of way. Wallace W. Abbey photo
Narrow-gauge concrete-arch bridge
Most narrow-gauge railroads were lightly constructed. An exception was this concrete-arch bridge on the East Broad Top near Shirleysburg, Pa. Inactive for 60 years, it still stands today. Classic Trains collection
Most narrow-gauge railroads were lightly constructed. An exception was this concrete-arch bridge on the East Broad Top near Shirleysburg, Pa. Inactive for 60 years, it still stands today. Classic Trains collection
KCS passenger train on a bridge
Kansas City Southern E8 No. 29 speeds a passenger train across a graceful, impressive concrete viaduct outside Kansas City on the road's route to New Orleans. Clarence T. Wood photo
Kansas City Southern E8 No. 29 speeds a passenger train across a graceful, impressive concrete viaduct outside Kansas City on the road's route to New Orleans. Clarence T. Wood photo
Empire Builder on the Stone Arch Bridge
Great Northern's Chicago-Seattle/Portland Empire Builder is seen on the Stone Arch Bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis in a 1929 publicity photo. Amtrak's Empire Builder does not use this bridge, which, though preserved as a landmark, has been devoid of tracks for years. GN photo
Great Northern's Chicago-Seattle/Portland Empire Builder is seen on the Stone Arch Bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis in a 1929 publicity photo. Amtrak's Empire Builder does not use this bridge, which, though preserved as a landmark, has been devoid of tracks for years. GN photo
Zephyr leaving Minneapolis
A dome-studded Twin Zephyr crosses the James J. Hill Stone Arch Bridge over the Mississippi River shortly after departing Minneapolis on its dash toward Chicago in the late 1940s. The first diesel is a power unit from one of the Burlington Route's early Zephyrs of the mid-1930s, while the second is an E5B of 1940 or 1941. CB&Q photo
A dome-studded Twin Zephyr crosses the James J. Hill Stone Arch Bridge over the Mississippi River shortly after departing Minneapolis on its dash toward Chicago in the late 1940s. The first diesel is a power unit from one of the Burlington Route's early Zephyrs of the mid-1930s, while the second is an E5B of 1940 or 1941. CB&Q photo
Fantrip on Hell Gate Bridge
A railfan excursion train composed of New Haven multiple unit cars climbs toward the main span of New York City's massive Hell Gate bridge in 1948. Kent W. Cochrane photo
A railfan excursion train composed of New Haven multiple unit cars climbs toward the main span of New York City's massive Hell Gate bridge in 1948. Kent W. Cochrane photo
Wabash 2-6-0s in twilight
Moguls 573 and 576, retained by the otherwise-dieselized Wabash to handle trains over the weight-restricted Illinois River bridge at Meredosia, Ill., trot over a small trestle near there in 1954. Philip R. Hastings photo
Moguls 573 and 576, retained by the otherwise-dieselized Wabash to handle trains over the weight-restricted Illinois River bridge at Meredosia, Ill., trot over a small trestle near there in 1954. Philip R. Hastings photo
Missouri Pacific scrap train
Missouri Pacific 2-8-0s Nos. 124 and 40 haul nine of their dead sisters over a bridge spanning the Illinois Central main line at DeSoto, Ill. Upon arrival at Dupo, Ill., all 11 engines will take their place in line to be scrapped. MP photo
Missouri Pacific 2-8-0s Nos. 124 and 40 haul nine of their dead sisters over a bridge spanning the Illinois Central main line at DeSoto, Ill. Upon arrival at Dupo, Ill., all 11 engines will take their place in line to be scrapped. MP photo
NKP Berkshire on high
A Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 Berkshire leads a freight across a viaduct at Conneaut, Ohio, which includes a couple of longer plate-girder spans in the middle to bridge the river and another railroad. The structure is 1,320 feet long and 54 feet tall. Richard J. Cook photo
A Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 Berkshire leads a freight across a viaduct at Conneaut, Ohio, which includes a couple of longer plate-girder spans in the middle to bridge the river and another railroad. The structure is 1,320 feet long and 54 feet tall. Richard J. Cook photo
Swing bridge end rails
A detail view of a double-track swing bridge shows the arrangement of the end rails to ensure continuity for passing trains. Rails, tapered at the ends, are hinged on the typical swing bridge. They are lowered to mate with the land-side rails once the bridge is closed and locked in position. Wm. Barrett photo
A detail view of a double-track swing bridge shows the arrangement of the end rails to ensure continuity for passing trains. Rails, tapered at the ends, are hinged on the typical swing bridge. They are lowered to mate with the land-side rails once the bridge is closed and locked in position. Wm. Barrett photo
IC's bridge at Galena, Ill.
The Illinois Central used a Strauss heel trunnion drawbridge to cross the Galena River at Galena, Ill. W.C. Millhouse photo
The Illinois Central used a Strauss heel trunnion drawbridge to cross the Galena River at Galena, Ill. W.C. Millhouse photo
Rail-highway lift bridge in Portland, Ore.
Portland's Steel Bridge over the Willamette River is an example of a rail-highway lift span. The lower (rail) level can be lifted without disrupting highway traffic; the highway portion can also be raised for tall vessels. In this mid-1970s view, two Amtrak SDP40Fs lead the Coast Starlight across it. John C. Illman photo
Portland's Steel Bridge over the Willamette River is an example of a rail-highway lift span. The lower (rail) level can be lifted without disrupting highway traffic; the highway portion can also be raised for tall vessels. In this mid-1970s view, two Amtrak SDP40Fs lead the Coast Starlight across it. John C. Illman photo
Drawbridge on New Haven's Shore Line
This double-track Scherzer rolling lift bridge was built on the New Haven Railroad's New York-Boston Shore Line near East Lime, Conn., in 1907. Historic American Engineering Record: Wm. Barrett photo
This double-track Scherzer rolling lift bridge was built on the New Haven Railroad's New York-Boston Shore Line near East Lime, Conn., in 1907. Historic American Engineering Record: Wm. Barrett photo
