1910-1944 Inundated/IC Bridge over Cumberland River at Grand Rivers, KY

(Bridge Hunter; Satellite, it has been inundated by water. See the topo maps below.)

Photo via BridgeHunter, Public Domain: Published Prior to 1923

John W. Barriger III National Railroad Library Flickr

The river must have been high when John rode over it because the flood plain under the trestle is inundated.

John W. Barriger III National Railroad Library Flickr

These two topo map excerpts cover the same area. It is disconcerting that this 1955 map is a decade after the Barkley Dam was built and yet it doesn't show up on this map.

1955 Grand Rivers Quad @ 24,000

At least it does show up in the next map. The 350 contour in the water shows the embankment for this bridge.

1967 Grand Rivers Quad @ 24,000

Illinois Central Railroad Scrapbook added four photos to the album "Illinois Central Cumberland River drawbridge hit by barge 1950."

On Jan. 12, 1950, a towboat heading downstream with two barges loaded with steel smacked into IC's drawbridge across the Cumberland River at Eureka, KY (yes, Eureka was the actual name for this station. Apparently at one time there was a small settlement here. It died out in the late 1800s but the name remained).

The barge collided with the fixed span next to the draw span. The north end of the fixed span (by timetable direction) was knocked 9 1/2 feet sideways on its supporting pier. Since the drawspan was in the closed position and was locked with the adjacent span, the drawspan was also jerked around.

Several days were required to fix the bridge spans plus fix the interlocking mechanisms that locked the drawspan. This drawbridge was replaced in 1965 when IC's tracks were rerouted across Barkley Dam. Afterwards the bridge was cut apart for scrap.

Photos from Cliff Downey collection. 

1
Illinois Central Railroad Scrapbook posted
This photograph shows how the drawspan was knocked open by the force of the collision with a runaway towboat pushing two barges loaded with steel. The towboat and barges were coming downstream (left to right in this photo) and got carried away in the high water. The bridge actually hit the fixed span on the other side of the drawspan. When the end of the fixed span was knocked 9 1/2" to the side, it pulled the drawspan around, also. During normal river levels the pier supporting the drawspan was virtually right on the river bank. Cliff Downey collection.
Paul Jevert shared
I.C.R.R. Cumberland River bridge Jan. 12, 1950

2

3

4