What looks so strange in this photo is how well the gauge is preserved. From the thumbnail it looks like it could still be in service on a branchline...
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It could be just me but it appears that the second half of the trestle has already fallen. The ties look in horrible shape! Its amazing how many places like this you can find in the US if you just look hard enough in the right places. It would be great someday to see this line operational again and in brand new condition. That has happened to a few lines before. We can only hope that it will happen to the rest.
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That's quite a drop-off at the second span!
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Thanks for this shot! I actually have some old prints of the same trestle in a little bit better shape. I walked across and got a shot of the second trestle. It would be great to some shots of trains on this bridge. Thanks Nick for a walk back in time.
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Remarkable shot. I wonder how long ago the last train crossed this bridge?
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Doug, according to the info I got on this bridge 2 months ago, it was initially damaged by a hurricane in 1977. A fire sent the far span into the river some time since then as can be seen in this photo. Now all that's apparently left is the metal parts lying in the river. Next time I can make a day of the Clinchfield, I'll have to hike down there and see what's left.
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| Posted by Andrew Styles on May 8, 2007 | |
The bridge is part of the old Yancey Railroad (formerly the Black Mountain R.R.). The collapse you see on the other side is allegedly caused by the owner of adjacent land attempting to bulldoze the bridge into the river so that he could build a fishing resort.
A good bit of the line can still be seen in places, including old crossbucks and some bridges still in place around Micaville, NC off of US19E/NC80 just east of Burnsville. You can still see some of the original grade down US 19E through Burnsville (look for the grade on the left side of the road headed from Micaville to Burnsville -- also look for Depot St.).
The original line went past Burnsville into Pensacola, NC, and some of the grade can be made out on occasion off of NC 197 going towards Pensacola/Barnardsville.
It really is a shame that this bridge was destroyed by vandals.
Thank you for the picture of this unique structure!
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