Summary

The webpage discusses the history, construction, and significance of wooden railroad bridges and trestles, including their role in early railroad development and their eventual replacement by more permanent structures.

Abstract

Wooden railroad bridges, particularly trestles, have been an integral part of railroad history, enabling rapid expansion across challenging terrains. These bridges, characterized by short spans supported by closely spaced frames called "bents," were often constructed quickly using local timber. While initially intended as temporary structures, many remained in service due to financial constraints. The page also draws parallels between the construction of wooden trestles and roller coasters, noting the strength and flexibility of wood. Personal anecdotes and historical photographs illustrate the author's fascination with these structures, including a reflection on a specific wooden truss bridge across Tunks Creek that is still in use today. The narrative concludes with a nostalgic look at model railroading and the joy it brings, invoking the author's own experiences with model trains and the memories they evoke.

Opinions

The author expresses a deep appreciation for the aesthetics and functionality of wooden railroad bridges and trestles.
There is a sense of nostalgia for the era when these structures were commonplace and for the author's personal experiences with model railroads.
The author acknowledges the practicality of wooden bridges for bridge approaches and floodways, where they do not obstruct water flow.
Despite their limited lifespan due to deterioration, the author seems to value the historical significance of timber bridges and their replacement materials, iron, steel, and concrete.
The author has a personal connection to timber bridges, having walked along and even clambered over historical bridges like the one at Tunks Creek.
The author views wooden construction, as seen in roller coasters, as providing a unique character to the ride experience, which is cherished by enthusiasts.
The author's passion for steam and timber is evident through the sharing of personal photographs and the recollection of building a logging layout with an HO scale shay locomotive.

Wooden Railroad Bridges

Always loved trestle and wooden railroad bridges.

Flatbed scanned from source by Hume-Bennett Lumber Company — Johnston, Hank (1966). They Felled the Redwoods (circa 1915): A Saga of Rails and Flumes in the High Sierra. Fish Camp, California: Stauffer Publishing. ISBN 0–87046–003-X., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=125979249

Flatbed scanned from source: Johnston, Hank (1966). Construction of a railroad trestle in present day Sequoia National Forest (circa 1915). Note typical bracing of trestle “bents”. This work is in the **public domain** in the United States because it was published (or registered with the U.S. Copyright Office) before January 1, 1928.

Trestle bridge composed of short spans supported by closely spaced frames spans between 12 and 16 feet, Supporting frames called “bents” that often consist of 4–6 vertical cross braced posts, Trestles differ from viaducts, Viaducts have towers that support long spans and higher elevations.

Timber trestles fast to build using local wood, Helped speed railroad to get running and earning, Once operating railroad transported builders and material to replace trestles with permanent bridges, At least that was intention, Sometimes replacements delayed or never happened because of blown budgets and poor financial conditions.

Timber trestles great for bridge approaches crossing floodways where earth fill would obstruct floodwaters, Wooden trestles by their nature had limited lives due to deterioration and often replaced by iron and steel in 19th century and now by concrete, Some railroads made forward plans for wooden bridge replacement.

Wooden roller coasters built similar to trestle bridges because they can be strong and support high track path while being flexible and resilient to imposed stresses, Wooden construction gives ride certain character due to flexing and sound, Appreciated by fans but scares me to death, Much to grandkid’s amusement.

The Cedar River Logging Trestle, 203ft High and 843ft Long, Pacific States Lumber Company, near Selleck, Washington. Circa 1925. Picture by Darius Kinsey (1869–1945), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons This work was never published prior to January 1, 2003 and, according to the provisions of 17 U.S.C., it is in the **public domain** in the United States because its author died before 1953.

My Link to Timber Brides

The bridge spans Tunks Creek at the bottom of Galston Gorge. The road through the gorge provides a link between Hornsby Heights and Galston, suburbs of Sydney. By Collywolly — Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72744943. licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

McDonald truss bridges in Galston Gorge NSW, Australia (Near Sydney) 1894–1909. This image belongs to a series of photographs probably taken on the Hawkesbury River by William Frederick Hall between 1880 and 1909. No known copyright restrictions

Foreground timber bridge replaced in 1930’s, Background bridge still carries traffic and Drove accorss today, Have walked along creek and some years ago clambered all over it.

This wooden truss bridge across Tunks Creek constructed in 1893-94, Carrying Galston Gorge Road, Bridge is 65 feet long, Wooden plank surface.

Model Railroad days.

Shay locomotive on the Sequoia Railroad with a load of railroad ties (1915). Flatbed scanned from source: Johnston, Hank (1966). They Felled the Redwoods: A Saga of Rails and Flumes in the High Sierra. Fish Camp, California: Stauffer Publishing. ISBN 0–87046–003-X. This work is in the **public domain** in the United States because it was published (or registered with the U.S. Copyright Office) before January 1, 1928.

Going through old pictures came across above, Sums up love for all things steam and timber.

The Sequoia Railroad’s Locomotive Number One at the bottom of Hoist Ridge (1894). Dick Challacombe Collection. Flatbed scanned from source: Johnston, Hank (1966). This work is in the **public domain** in the United States.

Had my HO shay fine scale brass loco, Built logging layout sharp curves and steep gradients, Watched shay hauling hand carved model logs, Hours of fascinating fun.

Seeing picture of Sequoia Railroad’s shay and trestle bridge bought back many happy memories, Hope you have enjoyed my sharing them with you.

Blessed be.

Barmouth bridge Barmouth bridge carries the Cambrian Coast railway across the Mawddach estuary. Opened in 1867, it was rebuilt in 1899 to alter the opening spans from sliding ones to the swinging span seen here at the near end of the bridge. Apart from the opening spans the bridge is a timber trestle. Plans to withdraw the Coast Line in 1971 met with organised opposition in the shape of the Cambrian Coast Line Action Group who successfully lobbied against closure. Another threat to the bridge came in 1980 when it was discovered that the teredo worm had infested the footings of the timber section and made it unsafe. The action group were again involved and ultimately extensive repairs were made and rail traffic continues to run from Machynlleth to Pwllheli along the coast. The rocks on the sands beyond the bridge are Cerrig-y-gorllwyn. By E Gammie, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14038541. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.