OK, I’m wasting far too much time on bridges this morning, but this one begs to be shared.
This was built by the Spokane and Inland Empire Railroad in 1922, and covered in 1928. The Great Northern later absorbed the S&IE. The bridge was abandoned in 1967, and converted to road vehicle use.
Note that only the trusses are covered, not the whole bridge.
All photos from Library of Congress, via Bridgehunters.com
Wonder why it’s not all covered… I use to think the reason for a covered bridge was to keep the ice and snow off of it being it over sometimes freezing water. Anymore inform, Steve?
According to the people from Wilmington, Delaware where there still stands a covered bridge, the purpose of the “cover” was to protect the wooden construction pieces from the weather.
Learnt while I was taking a class on the Wilmington & Western Railroad.
Yes, what Lou said. Having the top open would allow the exhaust gases from the locomotive to escape.
Back in the days of horse drawn sleighs, folks would actually shovel snow into covered bridges, so the sleighs could slide through the bridges.
But… Lou, that one that Steve’s shows is a steel bridge with wood sides. Then again… no top either on it, so not sure what that dose.
Here in Calif. Wood over wood if get soaked and not treated. They will dry rots in a few years. Has to be painted or oiled down a bunch of times.
Redwood & Pines are a laf here. Only thing that last in time is Cedar.
Noel, the covered bridges I have seen were painted, and the peaked roof had shingles on them. It was almost like a building, suspended across the crick.
Noel, that’s a wood bridge. If it was steel, there would be no reason to cover it.
I have seen that type of covered bridge with only the trusses covered. But usually for smaller trusses where they are not as tall as the train or where the track passed above or at the level of the middle of the truss.
What’s the name of the creek it spans? It looks a little like Hangman (Latah) Creek.
Wow, that’s something I’ve never seen before! I guess the snow must not get too heavy there, otherwise they’d have trouble plowing it between the trusses.
Steve where is that bridge? I would love to examine it.
JB, and Devon, this bridge is located on the Palouse River, 15-20 miles North Northwest of Colfax Wa.
Road trip!
Steve Featherkile said:
Noel, that’s a wood bridge. If it was steel, there would be no reason to cover it.
Oh. Sorry . at first, it looked like steel cross member on the top… Bring photo up larger, I see it now… Wonder if would fill up with snow with no top or roof on it.