1870s+1888+1950 NS/Sou/CNO&TP/CS Bridges over Cumberland River and Tunnels #3 & #4 at Burnside, KY

1870s: (Bridge Hunter)

1888: (Bridge Hunter)

Tunnels #3 & #4: (B&T; Satellite, the new route for the higher 1950 bridge caused these two tunnels to be abandoned.)

1950: (Bridge Hunter; no Historic Bridges; B&T; Satellite)

CNO&TP = Cincinnati, New Orleans & Texas Pacific

Street View

1870s:

Pinterest via BridgeHunter-1870s

1888:

It looks like they reused the cut stone piers of the previous bridge. Or is that artistic license?

BridgeHunter-1888, postcard

BridgeHunter-1888, 1940's company photo
"Note Tunnel #4 directly behind. Also of interest is the curved design."

The reason they had to build a new bridge in 1950 was to reroute the railroad so that it didn't get inundated by water. Whenever I read that an old bridge is going to drown, I look downstream for a dam. In this case it is the Wolf Creek Dam. One advantage of this bridge being higher is that it got rid of the need for tunnels in the river bluff.

StoryMaps
[The bridge in the background was Route 27.]

1950:

Matt Murphy posted seven photos with the comment: "Burnside Ky."

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Apr 1988 photo by Geoff Hubbs via BridgeHunter-1950, License: Released into public domain

Curtis Tate posted three photos with the comment: "A southbound and two northbounds crossing the Cumberland River at Burnside, Kentucky. Oct. 11, 1997."

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Robert G Adams: I'd almost think that shot was on a Monday because how short the train is. I've got a picture of 611 going across there too.
Curtis Tate: Robert G Adams You’re seeing a cut of empty flat cars. As I recall, there was more tonnage behind it.

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Alan Ramquist posted
Crossing of the Cumberland River at Burnside, Kentucky 2015

 

BP and Riversong Railway Photography posted
10/1991 - A northbound roadrailer train crosses the Cumberland at Burnside Kentucky.
J.B. Rail Photog shared
John E Bosler Jr.: Ahh the triple crown

Matt Murphy posted two photos with the comment: "179 coming across the Cumberland Lake in Burnside Ky."

Matt Murphy shared

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Bridges & Tunnels with Sherman Cahal posted

Work began in the late 1940s to reroute the Cincinnati, New Orleans, and Texas Pacific Railway (CNO&TP) in the vicinity of Burnside, Kentucky to build a higher-elevation bridge over the North Fork Cumberland River and to eliminate Tunnel Nos. 3 and 4. The railroad through the area had been completed in 1879 and included numerous sharp curves, steep grades, and many, many tunnels. The tortuous route was nicknamed "The Rathole."

The new bridge over Lake Cumberland opened on August 8, 1950. Today, the CNO&TP is one of Norfolk Southern Railway's busiest long-distance freight haul routes and you'll often catch trains passing over the lake.

Check out more photos and history of the bridge and tunnel at http://bridgestunnels.com/.../burnside-bridge-cincinnati.../ and http://bridgestunnels.com/location/tunnels-no-3-and-4/

Eric Hillman: Sherman Cahal these posts are awesome. But there is not a North Fork of the Cumberland river. That location is just the Cumberland River. The part called the "South Fork " is not a Fork of the Cumberland river but in fact its own river that spills into the Cumberland River at burnside. It's true name is the Big Southfork River. Figured I would comment with that as you appear to be someone who likes having their facts in order. Regards. E from Lake Cumberland Boaters.
JC Tucker: This will on the New Lake Cumberland Boy Scout Trail in Burnside Ky

1935 Sumerset and 1932 Burnside Quads @ 1:62,500