DSO, Ernestine and I went on a day trip to Kinzua Bridge State Park, 4+ hours from home. The Kinzua Bridge (or viaduct) was a railroad trestle that spanned Kinzua Creek in McKean County, PA. When built in 1882, it was billed as the Eighth Wonder of the World. It was 301 feet tall and 2,052 feet long. In 1900, the bridge was dismantled and rebuilt out of steel to allow it to accommodate heavier trains. It stayed in commercial service until about 1959. Excursion train traffic was halted in 2002 due to the condition. The State hired a contractor to rehabilitate the bridge, but on July 21, 2003, an F-1 tornado with winds calculated at 94 mph, partially destroyed the viaduct. Eleven of the twenty towers still lay in the valley below.
This is what we went to see.
Oh well, oh hell. We were a week and a half too late, but it was still a good day.
A few miscellaneous pictures.
Looking out from the visitors' center.
The height of the viaduct in relation to the Statue of Liberty.
The bridge supports today. They never removed them from the valley floor.
My hooking accomplishment on the drive.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren
8 comments:
That sure was a very tall railroad bridge. Too bad you missed the Fall color. Thanks for sharing the history. Glad you had a nice time. Maybe next year you can get there for the color tour...but then it might be much busier. Wonder what you are hooking now? Janice
Sorry you missed the colors. They really seemed to be so hit and miss this year. The "magical" tree Mia so loved last year is finally changing, but it is sparse and dull. All other leaves are currently in the pool. That bridge must have been phenomenal. But, wow...it wasn't very old when it was first redone. Are there any plans to restore it at this point? Great progress on your hooking. I could never hook (or do anything) on rides...I like gawking too much. Like I said, I need a driver....
wow, Wonderful...Kiss Andreja...Happy Wednesday!
Wonder how much money was lost just one year after the repair of the railway? I'd certainly be hesitant to travel via railroad over a tack on stilts, it looks rather fragile. Shame you missed the colors after the total of 8 hours of travel for the day.
Something patriotic on the frame.
It must have been scary traveling way up there so high in the air in the train. Hard to believe that the tornado twisted those heavy towers like pretzels.
I'm also sorry that you missed the peak colors. Some routes have such beautiful foliage, it just takes my breath away.
Take care, Hugs.
Julia
So sorry you missed the color.
That is amazing what a shame it was destroyed.
Cathy
Wow that bridge was incredible ! Can't imagine being on a train going over that !!! Too bad the leaves were totally off the trees ...
You can hook in the car ? I would be so car sick !!!
Sorry you missed the colors but I'm surprised at the foliage drop. We are about three hours from there and here most trees are shedding, but some just starting. On the bridge's facebook page they have photos as foliage changes. From 10/11 to 10/13 to 10/16 I am surprised at the drastic change in such a short time.
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