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Re: C&TS Lobato Trestle Update: complete replacement best option
Author: Matt Farnsworth
Date: 07-05-2010 - 14:09
P.Kepler Wrote:
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> What was the condition of the trestle prior to the
> fire? It was not capable of supporting a double
> headed set of locomotives due to weight
> restrictions. Was that a condition that existed in
> common carrier service?
Yes. Lobato Trestle was built in 1883, and was made for the locomotives at the time. Anything bigger than a 2-8-0 couldn't be double headed over the bridge. Back in the Rio Grande days, freight trains that needed helpers were run either in two sections with one locomotive, or with the second locomotive cut into the middle or rear of the train so that it wouldn't have to stop and move one locomotive across the bridge at a time the way C&TS does it. As far as the condition of the bridge prior to the fire, I don't know any specifics but it was good enough to handle one 2-8-2 and a loaded train. Biased on the pictures I saw the bridge looked in pretty good shape after the fire, perhaps the replacement recommendation has more to due with the bridge's age than fire damage.
Matt
Moscow ID
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> What was the condition of the trestle prior to the
> fire? It was not capable of supporting a double
> headed set of locomotives due to weight
> restrictions. Was that a condition that existed in
> common carrier service?
Yes. Lobato Trestle was built in 1883, and was made for the locomotives at the time. Anything bigger than a 2-8-0 couldn't be double headed over the bridge. Back in the Rio Grande days, freight trains that needed helpers were run either in two sections with one locomotive, or with the second locomotive cut into the middle or rear of the train so that it wouldn't have to stop and move one locomotive across the bridge at a time the way C&TS does it. As far as the condition of the bridge prior to the fire, I don't know any specifics but it was good enough to handle one 2-8-2 and a loaded train. Biased on the pictures I saw the bridge looked in pretty good shape after the fire, perhaps the replacement recommendation has more to due with the bridge's age than fire damage.
Matt
Moscow ID
