Rustic detail of one of the near-side towers that is still standing. The towers closest to the far (north) side still have some of the track structure with them, as if they tried until the very end to do their job and keep the bridge upright. The ferocity of the wind twisted the metal into grotesque shapes as it pried the beams one at a time from their tenuous supports.įrom an observation area near the mysterious exhibit tower I get a much clearer view of the bridge supports and the carnage. The left (west) side of the bridge, which is where all of the towers were blown off of their supports. I think the last photo looks like it was painted in the early 20th century. What strikes me is that it does not resemble any part of the Kinzua Bridge, even the original 1882 structure. This object houses the text of the Kinzua Bridge exhibit. Now the tracks are falling into the disrepair and the platforms are going with them. These wooden platforms constituted a train stop on the Knox and Kane RR when it was running. ![]() They say it's to preserve the enormity of the event, but I say it's because it would cost a lot of money with nothing to gain. Pennsylvania made the decision to leave the gigantic iron support trusses on the valley floor rather than attempt to remove them. It has only been five years, so trees have yet to regrow all the way up the valley. Here is an overview of the remaining bridge and the devastation wrought upon the valley. Now, the state park commemorates something very different than its original purpose. That move proved to be fortuitous, because the very next year, and shortly after restoration had begun, a tornado chanced upon the Kinzua Creek valley and fulfilled the prophecies of the engineers who deemed the bridge unsound. That railroad closed in 2002 in order to rebuild the rusting structure before it fell over. or visit one of our popular railroad museums, PAs railroad history lives on. The park opened in 1970, and a tourist railroad (the Knox and Kane) started running in 1987. The railroad industry made Pennsylvania a giant in the Industrial Age. This striking viaduct saw regular freight traffic until 1959, at which point the gears started turning to preserve the unique structure as part of a park. This plaque tells a very little bit of the story. The train is highly detailed so all the pipes and rails seen match the real thing, while featuring a sturdy frame for play.Pennsylvania - Kinzua Bridge Kinzua Bridge State Park The photos From left to right are: the over view of the set, left side view of #3025, right side view of #3025, cab and tender detail, coach side view, figures of the set, and a picture of #40 and #3025 double heading an excursion train. All is required now is you at the throttle. During which passengers gather at the station ready to emback on the journey ahead. ![]() In this set, #3025 sits eagerly for begin the day with the crew and conductor checking the train over to ensure all is inorder. The coaches of choice are modelled after the current rolling stock used on the railroad today. ![]() Formerly #58 for the Knox and Kane, this locomotive would haul passengers across Kinzua Bridge to the camp grounds in the mountain side. She was rebuilt following a devastating fire that occured during the transition and now functions once more as a fully opertating express locomotive to pull passengers along the scenic line. ![]() Known today as #3025, she was aquired by the company in 2008 from the former Knox and Kane railroad. Keeping in theme with Essex Valley #40, this is the second of three locomotive in the Essex Valley railroad steam fleet. With the steam season starting up again, its time to fire up the locomotives for another year of adventure and crafting memories.
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