C&NW Bridge over Rock River in Rockford, IL

(Bridge Hunter, Bridge Hunter (Old), 3D Satellite)

Since this bridge is just upstream of the dam, it is the UP/C&NW bridge. There are more pictures of this bridge in the dam posting.

Brian Keith Landis posted, cropped
Brian has coauthored two books concerning Rockford railroading.
Rockford's first Railroad Bridge to cross the Rock River . was first built out of wood then later on steel . Brian Landis Photo.

This "new" bridge was built in 1896. According to the caption for this picture in Bridge Hunter, the 1854 bridge was a wooden arch bridge. Photography was invented before 1896 so I hope there is a picture of that bridge. A wooden arch bridge would be interesting to see.

Update: Now I understand: the 1854 bridge was a truss reinforced with an arch.

Brian Keith Landis posted
Rockford's first Galena Chicago and Union Railroad Bridge being built across the Rock River. The little Locomotive on the bridge is the Pioneer pulled first train into Rockford in 1852. I don't under stand what the person who took this picture was standing on.

Bill Molony posted

The Pioneer in 1869, when it was employed in work train service.

Chicago and North Western photograph.
Brian Keith Landis Taken in Rockford .Illinois

Brian Keith Landis posted
Under the Chicago Northwestern Railroad Bridge in Rockford IL. Now owned by the U.P. R.R.
Dennis Curless The steam pipe that sent steam from the CIE&G power to the downtown buildings that used steam for heat is intact.

Chicago & North Western Historical Society posted
We just found at the CNW Historical Society archives, in a box of miscellaneous material, this neat original photo of the "built 1869" C&NW bridge across the Rock River at Rockford. We like the view.

Thomas Fabianski posted two photos with the comment:

The UP crosses the Rock.
UP's Y-BE51X is seen crossing the Rock River in Rockford, IL on the UP Kenosha Division branch (KD branch). GP40-2 #1454 and GP60 #1038 take 3 cars to various industries along the branch, and are then seen returning with more empties.
Taken 3/28/2018

Lance Wales Technically, the bridge over the Rock River isn't the KD Line. The KD is the segment that goes north just east of the bridge.
Thomas Fabianski Thanks for the Info. Wasn't too sure if it was or not. Would this be classified as the Belvidere then? Sorry Im not too familar with that area.
Lance Wales Thomas Fabianski probably just the Rockford Branch. It might be called something different now. Back in the old days it was the Galena Division main, but the line only went as far as Freeport.
Lance Wales I really can't recall seeing many pictures of what the junction looked like back in the day. I assume there was sort of a switch tender there, taking care of things. As I understand it, westbound Kenosha Div passenger trains would have swung around onto the Galena Div and then backed westward across the Rock River to terminate at the CNW depot off South Main Street. I have an old 1917 public timetable, maybe I should consult that. The line was gone as a thru route in the late 30s I think. Need to consult some reference material!
Robert Jordan OP, did they go up the KD that day. When I was there they went up the KD but never crossed the river.
Tim Parrott I was with him that day they did cross the river but did not go up the KD line they switched in the yard and then went to a customer that was on central ave and then headed back to belvidere.

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