Monday, August 6, 2018

Aban/CR/Penn, Trail/CSX/C&O and NS/NKP Bridges over the White River in Muncie, IN

(Penn Bridge Hunter, C&O Bridge Hunter, NKP Bridge Hunter, no Historic Bridges, 3D Satellite)
The bridges are listed in the order that we see them in the 3D Satellite Image, i.e. going upstream.

A 2009 photo that includes all three bridges. Since we are looking at the north ends, the bridges are in the "upstream order."

Quentin Mong posted
Evidence of our railroading here in Muncie, IN. Believe these bridges were taken out of use back in the early 70s. Hope I'm remembering correctly....Believe they were used by the Pennsylvania RR {Must have been trackage rights. Nearest PA. RR connection back when, was west of here at Anderson, IN. This line went north out of Muncie to Gaston. I believe the plan was for it to reach Chicago....But believe that did not happen. These twin span bridges appear they could last another 100 yrs. if the supports under them stay in place. I'm standing on another former RR bridge that is now part of a very lengthy Trail....And it's paved. Believe this was last operated by CSX...Again, back several decades ago. Amtrak traveled this route from Chicago and points southeast. Photo is looking northwest. Believe Amtrak last run thru here in the late 70s. I used to see it occasionally and some times on purpose...You know.....the railfan in us.....Our Munice station on that line was beautifully renovated when it went back into service of being a Major structure on that route as a Trail Head. I'll eventually get a photo on here of how it appears now.
Jeffrey Stoveken The bridge on which you are standing is former C & O. After C & O it was Chessie and was used by Amtrak up to 1985. I am not sure of the history of the bridge you photographed but believe you are correct that it was PRR.

Dennis DeBruler I have a map that shows the Pennsy route was a branch winding its way down from Converse, IN, through small towns to terminate at Ball Brothers. Pennsy was probably careful to use small, light diesels on this branch. That would be why an 1885 truss has not been replaced.
The Penn bridge featured in the above photo is an old (1885) pin connected bridge. But the laced eyebars indicates Pennsy did some reinforcement of the bridge. This Pennsy branch went through little towns and terminated in Muncie at the Ball Brothers plant. So probably only lighter locomotives like a GP7 used it.

Jeffrey Stoveken commented on Quentin's posting
Here's a shot of the bridge you were on with the subject of your photo beyond it. Taken by me May 5th from the White River Greenway.
[This was built in 1920.]

I couldn't find a construction date for the NKP bridge.

on Jul 15, 2023, Brian Shaw posted 18 photos of the former C&O bridge because it is soon to be removed.


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