HistoricBridges.org Menu: HistoricBridges.org Menu:


We Recommend:
Bach Steel - Experts at historic truss bridge restoration.

HistoricBridges.org: Bridge Browser

Southwind Rail Trail Bridge

Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Bridge

Southwind Rail Trail Bridge

Primary Photographer(s): Nathan Holth

Bridge Documented: June 6, 2016

View Photos
and Videos
View Maps
and Links

Facility Carried / Feature Intersected
Railroad (Southwind Rail Trail) Over Elm Creek
Location
Iola: Allen County, Kansas: United States
Structure Type
Metal 8 Panel Pin-Connected Pratt Through Truss, Fixed and Approach Spans: Metal Deck Girder, Fixed
Construction Date and Builder / Engineer
1890 By Builder/Contractor: Unknown
Rehabilitation Date
1919
Main Span Length
165.0 Feet (50.3 Meters)
Structure Length
228.0 Feet (69.5 Meters)
Roadway Width
Not Available
Spans
1 Main Span(s) and 2 Approach Span(s)
Inventory Number
Not Applicable

Historic Significance Rating (HSR)
View Information About HSR Ratings

Bridge Documentation

2018 Update: John Marvig located ATSF Bridge Records which answered some questions about this bridge. The bridge was built in Built 1890, the approach span was addded in 1900, and it was strengthened in 1919 using pieces from Bridge #533A over the Purgatoire River near Las Animas, Colorado. That span was built in 1898.

This railroad bridge is a very unusual design. It is composed of four truss lines, with each pair sitting right next to each other and connected by riveted plates. At quick glance, its configuration appears to be an original detail much like this bridge in Canada. However, closer inspection reveals that with this example in Kansas, the detail is not original and is the result of an alteration. Because rivets are used to connect the two truss pairs it is assumed that the alteration occurred long ago, at least before ca. 1970 to be sure. It appears likely that what happened is a two-span through truss in some unknown location was relocated here, and the two truss spans were combined into a single, stronger single-span through truss span at this location. Evidence for this includes the empty rivet holes on the outer trusses at the top of the vertical members where knee braces would have originally been attached. Splices at the center of the struts and portal bracing suggest that the width of the roadway was also changed at this time. The plates used to connect the truss pairs appear to be salvaged because numerous empty rivet holes are present on them.

Divider

Photo Galleries and Videos: Southwind Rail Trail Bridge

 

View Photo Gallery

Bridge Photo-Documentation

Original / Full Size Photos
A collection of overview and detail photos. This gallery offers photos in the highest available resolution and file size in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
Alternatively, Browse Without Using Viewer

Divider

View Photo Gallery

Bridge Photo-Documentation

Mobile Optimized Photos
A collection of overview and detail photos. This gallery features data-friendly, fast-loading photos in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
Alternatively, Browse Without Using Viewer

Divider

Maps and Links: Southwind Rail Trail Bridge

Coordinates (Latitude, Longitude):

Search For Additional Bridge Listings:

Bridgehunter.com: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge.

Bridgehunter.com: View listed bridges within 10 miles (16 kilometers) of this bridge.

HistoricBridges.org Bridge Browser: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge.

HistoricBridges.org Bridge Browser: View listed bridges within 10 miles (16 kilometers) of this bridge.

2021 National Bridge Inventory: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge.

Additional Maps:

Google Maps

Google Streetview (If Available)

Bing Maps

OpenStreetMap

GeoHack (Additional Links and Coordinates)

Apple Maps (Via DuckDuckGo Search)

Apple Maps (Apple devices only)

MapQuest

HERE We Go Maps

ACME Mapper

Waze Map

Android: Open Location In Your Map or GPS App

Flickr Gallery (Find Nearby Photos)

Wikimedia Commons (Find Nearby Photos)

Directions Via Sygic For Android

Directions Via Sygic For iOS and Android Dolphin Browser

USGS National Map (United States Only)

Historical USGS Topo Maps (United States Only)

Historic Aerials (United States Only)

CalTopo Maps (United States Only)


Divider
 
Home Top

Divider

About - Contact

© Copyright 2003-2024, HistoricBridges.org. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer: HistoricBridges.org is a volunteer group of private citizens. HistoricBridges.org is NOT a government agency, does not represent or work with any governmental agencies, nor is it in any way associated with any government agency or any non-profit organization. While we strive for accuracy in our factual content, HistoricBridges.org offers no guarantee of accuracy. Information is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. Information could include technical inaccuracies or errors of omission. Opinions and commentary are the opinions of the respective HistoricBridges.org member who made them and do not necessarily represent the views of anyone else, including any outside photographers whose images may appear on the page in which the commentary appears. HistoricBridges.org does not bear any responsibility for any consequences resulting from the use of this or any other HistoricBridges.org information. Owners and users of bridges have the responsibility of correctly following all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, regardless of any HistoricBridges.org information.

Admin Login

Divider