1852: (Bridge Hunter) wood trestle
1875: (Historic Bridges) iron trestle
2017: (Bridge Hunter; Satellite) arch
American Bridge's description of the construction of the new bridge
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| Existing from NYDOT [Existing when I first wrote these notes, this bridge has now been removed.] |
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| Proposed from NYDOT [Proposed when I first wrote these notes, this is now the existing bridge.] |
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| John Kucko Digital posted Then & Now: Much has changed along the Genesee River at Letchworth State Park, then again much has pretty much stayed the same. Captured the image on the left seven years ago, captured the image on the right this week [Sep 24, 2023]. “Tale of Two Bridges”—the 1875 trestle and the 2017 arch, both magnificent structures situated in the PERFECT setting. Gerry Olma: Hurricane Agnes changed the landscape surrounding the Genesee river in Letchworth during the 1972 flood. Marshall Hallack shared |
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| John Kucko Digital posted Window to the World: Did a Facebook Live stream this morning from along the Genesee River overlooking the Middle Falls at Letchworth State Park here in Western New York. Afterwards, I hustled into position a bit further north in the park at Inspiration Point to capture my estimated 200th train crossing the gorge there. The Mighty Genesee has been agitated much of the week due to the sporadic downpours that have impacted certain parts of the region. Lots of folks chiming in from across America 🇺🇸 and the world. While someone was watching from New London, Ohio—a few were watching from London in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧. Lots of locales around the globe participated in the Facebook Live broadcast today including: France 🇫🇷, Italy 🇮🇹, Ireland 🇮🇪, Ukraine 🇺🇦 , India 🇮🇳, Norway 🇳🇴, Canada 🇨🇦, Australia 🇦🇺, Japan 🇯🇵, Brazil 🇧🇷, Mexico 🇲🇽, Liberia 🇱🇷, Algeria 🇩🇿 and Sri Lanka 🇱🇰. I enjoy doing these Facebook Live streams, allowing us to connect here in real time. As always, thank you for the support here on the page! |
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| Michael Belanich commented on John's post Just there last Saturday. |
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| Leanne DeFelice commented on John's post I was able to visit for the first time this summer - just beautiful!!! |
Before diving into the replacement of the steel trestle with an arch bridge, here are some photos of the two older bridges.
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| Canal Society of New York State posted Bridges Now and Then shared A neat old pic of New York's Portage Bridge. |
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| NY Waterfalls, Lakes, Nature Photos - NYFalls.com posted The Portage Wooden High Bridge over Upper Falls at Letchworth (c.1860) When it opened in August of 1852, this massive wooden bridge was the tallest and longest wooden railroad bridge of its kind. Towering 234 feet above the falls and extending 800 feet across the Genesee River Gorge, its construction required the use of approximately two hundred and fifty acres of pine forest and cost $200,000 (equivalent to $8.2 million today). Tragically, the construction led to the death of a worker who slipped and was swept over the falls. Used by the Erie Railroad's Buffalo Branch, the bridge became a focal point for tourism in the area. A grand station at the east end welcomed passengers, and the nearby Cascade House Hotel catered to tourists seeking an extended stay. At that time, the falls and the surrounding Glen Iris area were privately owned by William Pryor Letchworth, who is remembered for generously allowing visitors to walk and enjoy his property. The bridge began to wear from weather, the force of the river, and the constant soaking of the mist from the falls. By the 1870s, plans were in place to replace it with a modern iron one, meeting some resistance from tourists, so those plans were put off. In May of 1875, the bridge caught fire in the middle of the night, waking Mr. Letchworth, who described the scene: “...the spectacle presented at precisely four o'clock was fearfully grand, every timber in the Bridge seemed then to be ignited, and an open network of the fire was stretched across the upper end of the Valley." More Letchworth State Park history can be found in our guide: nyfalls.com/waterfalls/letchworth/ Jim Myers shared |
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| Alex Heinonen commented on the above post |
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| Tucker Mike commented on the above post, rotated How many times has this trussell been replaced? |
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| Historic Bridges Historical photo showing bridge with the previous 1875 trusses on it. |
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| Reed Edwards posted A photo from a summer visit to Letchworth around 1901. In this photo, a Pennsylvania Railroad northbound passes under the Erie bridge. Alan Shulver collection, John J. Heberle photographer. Michael Caloroso: Either the date is wrong or those are not PRR locomotives. The locomotives do not have Belpaire fireboxes. Reed Edwards: No firm dates in the photo collection with the exception of a handful dated on July 4, 1901. It's possible the Letchworth photos were taken before PRR took control of the WNY&PA in 1900. Winton Allan Hancock Jr.: This is the first time I've ever seen a train on the old Pennsylvania RR, which is long gone. Other than a 1-mile portion near the Rochester Airport, I don't of any portions of the PRR that remain. This train was probably bound for Rochester. The falls here doesn't look anywhere near as high as it is today. I know the Niagara Falls had eroded back & back atleast into the 1950's - I wonder if this falls did the same? Tina Vanderbosch: Winton Allan Hancock Jr. You are seeing just the brink of Upper Falls in this photo. Gary Robertson: Back when people were allowed on the Erie Bridge. The High Bridge at Portage was quite the tourist destination and the Erie ran many specials to the place, there were multiple hotels and amenities… a different time… Donald Louis Ervolina: Look at the people near the waterfall, not allowed to be there now days. Brian R. Wroblewski shared |
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| Douglas Morgan commented on Reed's post Tourists on the bridge - from a stereoview card. Gary Robertson: Douglas Morgan broad gauge Erie tracks, look at all that wooden deck (roof for the wooden trusses lying underneath). In wet weather a promenade deck below was a cozier place to walk and gaze. This wooden bridge (1.5 million board feet) always only offered a view of the Genesee Valley Canal crossing underneath, whereas the 1875 bridge saw the canal, the canal railroad (PRR), and nothing at all run beneath. The new bridge offers no views, but arrests for trespassing… |
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| Jane Schryver commented on Reed's post Letchworth - Canal on right side. |
Nunda historical Society posted two photos with the comment:
A canal boat on the Genesee Valley Canal passes under the Portage Iron Railroad Road Bridge at what is now the Upper Falls at Letchworth State Park. The image comes from a stereo optical view taken sometime between 1875 (the building of the railroad trestle) and 1878 (the last year the canal was in operation.). We have also include a close up of the image.Did we mention that someone very familiar with canals, canal boats and mules will be speaking at the Nunda Historical Society today? Come visit with Erie Canal Sal at 1:30 at the Museum. Its free and open to the public!
Jim Myers shared
[Evidently Park Road is built on a canal right-of-way.]
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Construction activity for its replacement has already started appearing in satellite images.
The 1875 trestle was built to replace a burned 1852 wooden bridge and then rehabilitated in 1903. The wooden bridge was "the longest and highest wooden bridge in the United States." Plans are to replace the current trestle with a steel arch bridge. NS offered to donate it to the State Park since a lot of people trespass on it now. But the state agency turned it down because they said they could not afford to preserve it. So NS plans to spend $1m to tear it down. So preservation would have cost more than $1m?
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| Test Train, photo taken on July 31, 1875, from Bridge Hunter |
The original wrought-iron bridge looks so spindly. Obviously the rebuilds with steel in 1903 and more steel in 1944 were extensive.
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| HAER NY,61-PORT,1--2 from Photos from ny1222 |
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HAER NY,61-PORT,1--66. Photocopy of 19th century photo of the original bridge, , courtesy of Erie Railway Company - Erie Railway, Buffalo Division, Bridge 361.66, Spanning Genesee River, 0.6 miles west of State Route 436, Portageville, Wyoming County, NY |
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| One of eight photos posted by Steve Russo This is the Portage Bridge in NY by Letchworth State Park. Photos by me around 1995. Bridge has since been torn down and replaced by a new one that can handle the rail traffic and heavy loads of the trains. The old bridge was nice as it had walkways on either side of the tracks. Even though there was "No Trespassing" signs, people walked across it all the time; even when the trains were crossing. It was 240 feet above the river. No one ever stopped the people from doing it. The new bridge does not have walkways like that and the access is really blocked off from the public. Charles Fannin: Bridge from 1875 built with lots of bracing & rivited latticework structure providing a higher load capacity with it's built in flexibility. The old structures like that are able to last more than (modern) ones. That, and maintaining them allowed locomotives of the later half 20th century to still use this bridge viaduct. Steve Russo: Charles Fannin the portage Bridge became so full of RR traffic during the last ten years, that a structural analysis was done. It found missing rivers, cracked beams, and broken cement foundations. That was WHT it was replaced. At first it was a thought to keep it as a pedestrian bridge, but later it was decided to not do so. |
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| Mike Froio commented on Steve's post Did the HAER photo documentation for this, what an amazing opportunity. To call that a job site for a few visits, was an absolute pleasure! |
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| Mike Froio commented on his comment |
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| Steve Russo commented on his post |
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| Michael Froio Photography posted Former Erie Railroad Portage Bridge spanning the Genesee River in the stunning Letchworth State Park. This image of the towering 1875 bridge spanning the Upper Falls was one of many made over two trips in the Spring of 2015 and Fall of 2018 for a Historic American Engineering Survey with Milestone Heritage Consultanting for @norfolksouthern and the state of New York. The bridge was subsequently replaced with a stunning single arch span designed by @modjeskimasters and constructed by @american_bridge. |
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| Norfolk Southern Corp. (source link is broken) Construction continues on the 900-foot replacement of the Portageville Bridge in Letchworth State Park. The new $70 million steel arch railroad bridge will be the cornerstone of a vibrant Norfolk Southern rail line that helps businesses in Buffalo and the Southern Tier regions connect with markets east and west. NS’ partnership with New York to replace the Portageville Bridge provides the foundation to better serve and support the region’s economy. |
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| Paul Kitchen posted Photo taken in Aug 2015. I believe this was the last steam train to cross this trestle in Letchworth State Park NY. Portageville Viaduct. This trestle has since been replaced and torn down. In service 1875-2017. |
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| Mike Stellpflug posted CP 8707 & CSX 687 lead NS train 38T across the Portage Bridge in Letchworth State Park on 3/5/2011. Forgotten Railways, Roads, and Places shared Adam Dietrich Here is the new bridge: https://geneseesun.com/a-grand-bridge-fitting-for-the.../ [cars can now be fully loaded and travel at 30mph instead of 10mph.] |
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| Michael Froio Photography posted HAER-NY-54-41 Longitudinal view across Genesee River Gorge with new railroad bridge arch above and Portage Viaduct beyond at right, looking northwest. In September of 2018 I returned to do the second part of our HAER survey at the Portageville viaduct Milestone Heritage Consulting. The major difference in this visit was that the replacement bridge was nearing completion and afforded us views previously impossible. This view compares the staggering scale of the structures while showing the challenges of construction in such a beautiful and rugged landscape. The bridge was designed by @modjeskimasters and constructed by @american_bridge for @norfolksouthern. |
The original wooden trestle.
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| John Kucko Digital posted This Day [May 6] In History: It was in the early hours of May 6th, 1875 when the old wooden railroad trestle (top image/Nunda Historical Society) at what is now Letchworth State Park caught fire and collapsed into the Genesee River gorge. At the time, the bridge—built in the 1850’s—was considered among the most sensational structures in the world. The fire was believed to have started from sparks from the last Erie Railroad steam train that crossed the Genesee River that night. One theory is that the fire was allowed to occur since the wooden structure was in such disrepair. At any rate, the night watchman on call that evening/early morning never properly put out the sparks from his watering station. William Pryor Letchworth watched from his residence there (the Glen Iris Inn) as the fire burned out of control in those overnight hours, the giant wood structure collapsing into the river. Astoundingly, in less than three months, the iron trestle was built in the same spot. Carmen J Narde shared |
Marty Bernard posted six photos with the comment:
Norfolk Southern's Erie RR High Bridge in Letchworth State Park, Livingston County, New York
The Erie Railroad Company built a wooden trestle bridge over the Genesee River just above the Upper Falls in the mid 1800s. It burned and was replaced by the bridge in my photos in 1875. That bridge has now been replaced.
My photos show a NS crew working on the bridge September 24, 2007.
For more details see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genesee_Arch_Bridge
Marty Bernard shared
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| John Kucko Digital posted That Friday Feeling: Captured this seven years ago today--one of my first train shots at Letchworth State Park. It remains among my favorite captures and serves as a reminder at just how beautiful WNY is. What a sight seeing the trains cross the Genesee River at 240 feet high! |
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| John Kucko Digital posted Morning Glory: As spectacular as an autumn morning can get to begin the day here at Letchworth State Park. [I do hope that John views these photo copies as advertisements. He also posted a drone video of the bridge with trains crossing it. He also has non-railroad autumn photos. And at the bottom of this page I have links to some of his other bridge photos.] |
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| Garry Coon commented on John's post My favorite pic from the demo of the piers! That was the best view I have ever had in my office! So fortunate to have discovered your work through this historic job! I take a lot more pics! Sitting up on that pier looking down the river is something I will never forget! My favorite drone shot is of Thomas Belford stripping ties of the old bridge! |
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| Hal Johns commented on a share of John's post Here is what it looks like when you are on a train going over the bridge .. |
Daniel Snavely provided three photos as comments on a share of John's post.
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| AltoonaWorks posted 7/2017 - The two halves of the new Portageville Bridge on the NS Southern Tier Line were joined this week. The new bridge will replace the 1875 trestle and is expected to open next year. Read more: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portage_Viaduct Sean Angelo NS wanted to replace that bridge for a while, as it was getting tired. Plus, there was a 10mph on that bridge, which was a dispatching nightmare. The new bridge should be able to allow speeds of 30mph, helping to keep the trains moving through the southern tier. AltoonaWorks Sean Angelo The few trains there are, anyway. Sean Angelo 8 trains a day I've been told. [It also removes the weight restriction of 273,000 pounds. Today's standard is 286,000. [Progressive]] |
Construction of the new Portageville Bridge on Norfolk Southern’s Southern Tier rail line in New York reached a milestone over the weekend. Bridge builders installed the last piece of structural steel to connect the arch span. Iron workers attached a pine tree on the steel frame, a tradition that signifies there were no fatalities during this phase of construction.Ken Gentzke Jr The new bridge would allow NS to pull 286,000 lbs max cars over this bridge. Currently they are only able to pull cars around 240,000 lbs max cars. Can't remember the exact amount. These heavier cars went for longer routes.
The $70-million railroad bridge, which spans the Genesee River Gorge in Letchworth State Park near Castile, N.Y., is a public-private partnership among Norfolk Southern, the New York State Department of Transportation, and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation.
Norfolk Southern hopes to begin running trains on the bridge by the end of this year. The bridge will enable the railroad to better serve customers in Buffalo and the state’s Southern Tier region, supporting businesses, job creation, and economic growth.
Joe Stoltz Actually I think the new bridge will handle 315,000 pounds at a speed of 35 mph vs a substantially lower weight rating and 10 mph speed limit it now has.
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| Lee Farley commented on Keith's posting There's the 150 on the left and 130 on the right |
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| AltoonaWorks posted NS Southern Tier Line were joined. The new bridge should be in service early in 2018 I believe. Walt Lankenau I like how they use cables to counterbalance the partial arches before they're connected. |
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The project has had its share of engineering challenges. For example, NS needed to blast and remove more than 16,200 cubic yards of weathered and fractured rock from the gorge walls. On the gorge's west side, the contractor needed to use large cranes to remove the rock because there was no vehicular access to the gorge floor.
The Class I faced environmental difficulties, too. The bridge is located in a state park that’s home to two federally endangered animal species: Northern long-eared bats and timber rattlesnakes. The park also is home to bald eagles, a federally protected species.
To reduce construction noise that could disturb a pair of nesting bald eagles, NS adopted a plan to drill bridge foundation piles in lieu of the "more typical method of pounding," Swanson said. The Class I also limited the use of explosives to excavate arch foundations.
Although NS develops an annual budget for bridge work, the railroad typically funds major bridge replacements through a separate line-item budget. NS has provided nearly $60 million for the $72 million Portageville Bridge replacement, while state and local funds will cover the remainder. The project marks the largest public-private development that NS has ever developed for an individual bridge project, Swanson said.
[Progressive]
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| Norfolk Southern (source) At 2:20 p.m. Monday, Norfolk Southern general merchandise train 36T became the first to cross the new Portageville Bridge. [I sure hope the NS page is permanent because it has a map.] |
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| Norfolk Southern posted (source) At 1:40 a.m. on December 11, 2017, the last train crossed the old Erie-built 1875 Portageville Bridge over the Genesee River Gorge in Portageville, New York. At 6:00 a.m., the track would be taken out of service for 8 hours to be cut over to the newly-built bridge. For more information about Norfolk Southern, visit www.nscorp.com. [Note that they used the new bridge to hold the lights needed to take a night photo of the last train. It really captured the truss+girder design of the trestle.] |
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| AB Connections, p. 12 (source) [American Bridges has several more photos and a detailed explanation of how this tieback system held the arch halves until they were connected. Erie started with an 800' timber trestle in 1852. But when that burned in May 1875, they replaced it with an iron bridge in three months. In 1903 the spans were replaced with steel girders and pin-connected trusses. But the iron towers served into the 21st Century.] |
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| Bob Eisthen posted
Soo Line 6023 at Letchworth Park, New York. June 27, 2004
Reuben Brouse photo
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| Norfolk Southern Corp posted Portageville Bridge - Norfolk Southern began running trains over the new bridge in December 2017. Learn more: http://bit.ly/2Bbjbl4#infrastructure David Andrew Wieting Looks like the stone piers remain in the river. The removal of the old bridge really does open up the views of the canyon. New bridge is worthy of inclusion with the famous two track version in NM on the BNSF over the Rio Grande. |
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| Ted Gregory shared a CANAM Bridges link, which has some more photos |
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| RailwayAge's article on the dedication The first Norfolk Southern movement across the new bridge occurred in December 2017, following two years of construction. The span it replaced, the Portageville Bridge, can be seen at right. It has since been dismantled, with portions preserved for historical purposes. |
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| [Screenshot at -2:34]
Jim Kerins posted
Nickel Plate 765 crossing The Letchworth Trestle in NY State (@ 1:15)
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| Patches Croteau shared John Kucko Digital
Raging River: The Genesee River roared mightily today at Letchworth SP as a westbound Norfolk Southern freight train passes 235 feet above the action. Thanks to Vertigo Drones for the guidance in flying the Typhoon H Plus.
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| Mike Froio shared HAER-NY-54-41 Longitudinal view across Genesee River Gorge with new railroad bridge arch above and Portage Viaduct beyond at right, looking northwest. In September of 2018 I returned to do the second part of our HAER survey at the Portageville viaduct Milestone Heritage Consulting. The major difference in this visit was that the replacement bridge was nearing completion and afforded us views previously impossible. This view compares the staggering scale of the structures while showing the challenges of construction in such a beautiful and rugged landscape. The bridge was designed by @modjeskimasters and constructed by @american_bridge for @norfolksouthern [I could not find this photo on the Library of Congress site.] |
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| Michael Froio Photography posted HAER NY-54-36 Broadside detail view of span 9 deck truss from new railroad bridge showing railing, ties, deck truss and truss support header on the east face of tower E bent 9, with Genesee River Gorge Upper Falls below, looking northeast. In September of 2018 I returned to do the second part of our HAER survey at the Portageville viaduct Milestone Heritage Consulting. The major difference in this visit was that the replacement bridge was nearing completion and afforded us views previously impossible. This view compares the staggering scale of the original structure while showing the challenges of construction in such a beautiful and rugged landscape. The bridge was designed by @modjeskimasters and constructed by @american_bridge for @norfolksouthern [I'm looking forward to the HAER info being posted.] Mike Froio shared |
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| One of several photos on this page by amtrakpix |
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| River Rail Photo posted Honoring And Remembering. Norfolk Southern Corp Train 36T had a notable leader as it crossed the trestle spanning the Genesee River in Letchworth State Park in Portageville, New York on Friday, December 1, 2017. NS 911 (Honoring First Responders, SD60E) was released in 2015: features the Maltese Cross of fire services, the Emergency Medical Services’ “Star of Life,” and the Police shield. It also features the logo for Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response (TRANSCAER)" and has served on trains across the system. The view here is from the then soon to be opened bridge looking back at the 1875 Erie Railroad span across the Genesee, as workers take a minute from final preparations to snap a pic of the colorful engine. The new "Genesee Arch Bridge" would open on December 11, 2017. Full resolution and store: |
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| John Kucko Digital posted When Two Seasons Collide: Captured this three years ago today—“Two Seasons in One” as a westbound freight train crosses the Genesee River at Letchworth State Park. The last of the autumn color was lingering with a dusting of snow—the dynamic that I really enjoy about early November and what many of us experienced across the region yesterday. |
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| John Kucko Digital posted Monday Motivation—a Labor Day Dedication: In honor of LaborDay, a huge thank you to the men and women who perform those jobs that many us just don't have the nerve to do. Pictured here are some of the brave Western New York folks who labored on behalf of American Bridge to build the spectacular Genesee Arch Bridge at Letchworth State Park five years ago. The railroad bridge is one of the finest in America—I captured this from the old trestle above the Genesee River there, just months before the Arch opened in December of 2017. Happy Labor Day! James Torgeson shared Ironworkers from American Bridge put the finishing touches on the Norfolk Southern Railway Genesee Arch Bridge. (AB is still very much in business, although it hasn't been part of USS in decades!) |
John Kucko Digital posted four photos with the comment: "A Labor Day Appreciation: My first major documentation here on the page took place in 2017 & 2018 when I showcased the new Genesee Arch Bridge going up at Letchworth State Park. I told the story of the hard working folks, men and women from across the region, who constructed the massive arch for American Bridge. This was dangerous work taking place high above the Genesee River there. Once the arch was operational in December of 2017 with the passage of the first Norfolk Southern freight train, the workers began dismantling the 1875 trestle. It was all a fascinating process and opened my eyes as to just how hard these folks work."
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This is what the falls looked like when Hurricane Debby dumped a bunch of rain on the river.
Starry Starry Night (including the Milky Way) by John Kucko Digital
Drone video
NKP 765 smoking, literally, over the trestle
A video of the final train going over the old trestle (source)
JohnKuckoDigital answers several questions along with a photo of a train using the new arch.
RiverRailPhoto also caught the train.
JohnKuckoDigital posted images and explanations of previous bridges
Modjeski and Masters, Inc. photo album (Their 360 views make me appreciate WTTW's 360 views because WTTW is really 360 degrees. These are no more than 180 degrees.)
A video of blowing a span out of the old bridge. Skip to 0:10 or -0:38. (source)
A John Kucko Digital photo of an iron worker cutting off a truss member of the old bridge. He must be using a drone and he caught the waterfall in the background. The mist being thrown up by the fall reminds me that the Northeast has received some heavy rains lately.
John Kucko Digital posted five photos of the inspection truck in operation with the comment:
John Kucko Digital posted a photo the "Genesee Arch Bridge" in a dedication ceremony on May 24, 2018. Norfolk Southern's ceremony included stopping a westbound on the bridge for a few minutes.
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| Facebook reel letchworthstatepark 🍫 Tropical Storm Debby turned the Genesee River to “chocolate milk.” ⚡️Today, the rumble of the falls pounds in your chest and carries for miles, like rolling thunder and wind. 😱In just 24 hours, from Aug. 9 to Aug. 10, the river flow increased by over 2,000%. 🌱🌳At 8am Aug. 9, river flow was 272 cubic feet per second, about enough to fill 10 hot tubs in a second. Peak flow at 8am on Aug. 10 was 5,720 cubic feet per second, enough to full 250 hot tubs in a second. ⚠️As the biggest rush of storm water rolled in from 10pm to 11pm, the river increased in flow rate by hundreds of cubic feet per second every 15 minutes. Another reminder why it’s important to stay on marked trails and never swim in the river. 🛶Still, the pros with Adventure Calls Outfitters, Inc. were absolutely guiding rafting trips on the raging water today, they just asked that small children not come along this time. 🎈It’s just one of the bucket-list ways to see the Genesee River’s canyons in Letchworth…like a hot air balloon ride with @balloonsoverletchworth. 🥾Our educators lead guided experiences almost every day, year-round. Check the schedule: in bio and visit the nature center between the Visitor Center and Inspiration Point to meet the educators. |
Drone video
NKP 765 smoking, literally, over the trestle
A video of the final train going over the old trestle (source)
JohnKuckoDigital answers several questions along with a photo of a train using the new arch.
RiverRailPhoto also caught the train.
JohnKuckoDigital posted images and explanations of previous bridges
Modjeski and Masters, Inc. photo album (Their 360 views make me appreciate WTTW's 360 views because WTTW is really 360 degrees. These are no more than 180 degrees.)
A video of blowing a span out of the old bridge. Skip to 0:10 or -0:38. (source)
A John Kucko Digital photo of an iron worker cutting off a truss member of the old bridge. He must be using a drone and he caught the waterfall in the background. The mist being thrown up by the fall reminds me that the Northeast has received some heavy rains lately.
John Kucko Digital posted five photos of the inspection truck in operation with the comment:
Trestle Tales: One of the most dangerous jobs around was that of bridge inspection of the 1875 High Bridge at Letchworth SP. This soon to be gone trestle had to be inspected very regularly, meaning folks would be hanging 230-240 feet above the raging waters of the Genesee River and the Upper Falls there. This was always an amazing sight to see as inspectors examined the bridge from stem to stern. I remember one telling me "you just hope the truck arm is working well that day." The new arch has a much safer means of inspection--a secure catwalk that allows for inspection and regular maintenance. "Old Shaky" (what the trestle was referred to by train engineers and conductors) is in its last weeks--built in 3 months, lasting 142 and a half years.
John Kucko Digital posted a photo the "Genesee Arch Bridge" in a dedication ceremony on May 24, 2018. Norfolk Southern's ceremony included stopping a westbound on the bridge for a few minutes.
Six John Kucko photos of both bridges Three of them feature the NKP 765 stem locomotive.
John Kucko selected 10 of his favorite photos (share1, share2)
This Day In History [July 31]: It was on this date in 1875 when the old (and now gone) trestle at what is now Letchworth State Park was officially opened by Erie Railroad. The iron bridge, spanning the Genesee River, was (amazingly) built in less than three months time—replacing the wooden bridge that stood there, only to catch fire and collapse into the gorge that previous May. The trestle would be operational from July 31, 1875 until December 11, 2017. It was replaced by the new Genesee Arch Bridge but not before passing thousands of trains through here for decades. This trestle was a big reason why I decided to walk away from my TV sportscasting career and enter the digital world—I will always commemorate the opening of this fine bridge. These are just a handful of the hundreds of captures I’ve taken of this icon before it came down.
This Day In History [July 31]: It was on this date in 1875 when the old (and now gone) trestle at what is now Letchworth State Park was officially opened by Erie Railroad. The iron bridge, spanning the Genesee River, was (amazingly) built in less than three months time—replacing the wooden bridge that stood there, only to catch fire and collapse into the gorge that previous May. The trestle would be operational from July 31, 1875 until December 11, 2017. It was replaced by the new Genesee Arch Bridge but not before passing thousands of trains through here for decades. This trestle was a big reason why I decided to walk away from my TV sportscasting career and enter the digital world—I will always commemorate the opening of this fine bridge. These are just a handful of the hundreds of captures I’ve taken of this icon before it came down.
5 photos with a link to a video of an Amtrak engine with one car going over the new bridge
1:16 drone video of train over the old bridge with the new one almost done
Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum Album of the steel trestle
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