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Re: (erielack) Bridge Numbering of the DL&W in Pennsylvania

Reading Co. bridges were numbered according to mileage from the start of
the division.  And there are other railroads that numbered their bridges
sequentially, like the NYO&W.  Any ideas on how to figure what would be
60 miles from the tower/bridge either towards Binghamton, Hoboken, or
Bloombsuburg?  What DL&W milepost is Scranton?

Joshua

> The initial question about why Bridge 60 is called Bridge 60 has gotten me
> looking into the archives and other resources at Steamtown.  While I have
> not been able to find the "silver bullet" answer to this question (a list
> detailing each of the bridges from 1 to the last one) I have found some
> references to bridges.  One source I have found are Bunnell's photos,
where
> he used the bridge numbering system.  He has photos of bridges in and
> around Scranton (60, 62, 64, 66, 67, and 68).  Bridge 79 is listed as 2
> miles east of Henryville, while bridges 81 and 82 are listed "West of
> Analomink".  I am sure a review of other photos by Bunnell might turn up
> other bridge numbers.
> 
> In addition to these photos we have engineers field books dating from the
> 1890s to the 1920s.  Many of them dealt with surveys and work related to
> the cut-off north of Scranton.  Bridges are noted in these field books
both
> by bridge number and some by mileage.  Bridge 29, for example is listed
> near Alford, PA.
> 
> It appears that the bridge numbering system was done in the early 1900s,
> perhaps as part of the initial assessment of the line by the Truesdale
> administration.  I suppose it made more sense numbering the bridges than
> using their location on the main line since it appears there were plans to
> improve the line, thus changing the mileage.  I predict other parts of the
> DL&W had similar bridge numbering systems.  The only reason we know Bridge
> 60 is called Bridge 60 is because the tower kept the name, thus spurring
> the current interest.
> 
> It would be an interesting research project to come up with a list and
> location of the bridges.  I wish I had the time.  If anyone would like to
> come to Steamtown and do the research, I think we have the information
> buried in our archives.
> 
> Patrick McKnight
> Historian/Archivist
> Steamtown NHS
> 570-340-5193
> 
> We need history, not to tell us what happened or to explain the past, but
> to make the past alive so that it can explain us and make a future
> possible.-Alan Bloom
> 
> 
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> 

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