Tunnel: (Satellite)
I've mentioned before that I've noticed that the definition of a trestle vs. a viaduct is very controversial. In fact, I've seen someone state that only the steel-girders-on-towers design is a trestle. Which is not only exactly opposite of Jim Carter's view, but rules out the following design. However, I think everyone but that one person would agree that the following is a trestle. If I had seen Jim's explanation years ago, I would have probably introduced the "bridgeViaduct" label. But that it is too late now to be that precise. I did add "viaduct" to the title of these notes to flag that they contain Jim's comment.
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| Jack D. Kuiphoff posted (SEE & HEAR)---Norfolk Southern, NS C39's 8657-8638, on the ex-Virginian Garwood trestle, Garwood, West Virginia. July 15, 1988. Jack D Kuiphoff photo © video. See this and the pushers working hard in my Youtube link. https://youtu.be/ofJbsO9mXy4 [That view must be easier to get to than I would have thought because here is another video from that vantage point.] Jim Carter: It is a railroad bridge. Contrary to the understanding of many, not all railroad bridges are trestles. Trestles and viaducts are both types of railroad bridge construction. Garwood is a viaduct. The Virginian Railway has many wonderful viaducts, all built by Virginia Iron and Bridge. All are 30/60 viaducts, meaning 30 ft. deck plate girder spans on the towers and 60 between. The only trestle construction on the Virginian main line that is still in use are a few between Mullens and Deepwater and the approaches to the two drawbridges in Hampton Roads, and the Tanners Creek bridge on the Sewells Point Branch. |
I've mentioned before that I've noticed that the definition of a trestle vs. a viaduct is very controversial. In fact, I've seen someone state that only the steel-girders-on-towers design is a trestle. Which is not only exactly opposite of Jim Carter's view, but rules out the following design. However, I think everyone but that one person would agree that the following is a trestle. If I had seen Jim's explanation years ago, I would have probably introduced the "bridgeViaduct" label. But that it is too late now to be that precise. I did add "viaduct" to the title of these notes to flag that they contain Jim's comment.
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| Robert Billingsley commented on Jack's post, cropped This is considered a trestle. Short repeating spans. |
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| Street View, Jun 2021 |
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| B&T The VGN was completed in 1909 with grades up to 2.07%. In 1923, VGN employees went on strike because of health concerns taking steam locomotives through poorly ventilated tunnels at 7mph. By 1925, VGN had electrified 133.6 miles between Mullens and Roanoke. "Alco-Westinghouse EL-3As, operated in sets of three, could transport a 6,000-ton coal train at 14 MPH." The coal powered trains were just 4 to 6 thousand tons a 7mph. "The Norfolk & Western Railway acquired the VGN in December 1959, and by July 1962, the electrified locomotives were replaced with diesel locomotives....The Norfolk & Western Railway merged with the Southern Railway in 1982 to form the Norfolk Southern Railway (NS). The last revenue “Hill Run” traveled between Elmore and Clark’s Gap on October 9, 2015, and the Clark’s Gap yard was used to store coal hoppers until April 15, 2021." |
Back when it was still electrified:
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| nwhs Mar 17, 1954 |
I lucked out, a quadrangle covers all of the electrified route. I put a red cross near the upper-left corner to mark the location of the Garwood Trestle. The VGN paralleled the N&W between Ingleside, WV, and north of Radford, VA. The VGN crossed the New River at Glen Lyn, VA, so that it used the north and east shore of New River while the N&W used the south and west shore. Now, I can't find either railroad in Glen Lyn.
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| 1955 Bluefield Quad @ 250,000 |
Bonus
A viaduct that is in the town of Covel, which is a little north of Garwood.
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| Street View, Oct 2008 (Satellite) |
This is where I found the three tunnels.
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| 1925 Bramwell Quad @ 62,500 |
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