PS&P Bridge

[Rhearn4]

The Puget Sound & Pacific is a shortline that runs here in Washington State. The headquarters of the railroad are located at Elma. The line extends west to Hoquiam, Southeast to Chehalis (and connection to the BNSF) and Northeast to Shelton and then on to Bangor and Bremerton.

The backbone of the line is from Hoquiam to Chehalis through the Chehalis River Valley. Much of the land here is low and there are a lot of wandering streams, so there are a bunch of bridges.

The one in the photo crosses the Chehalis River west of Montesano and has intrigued me for a long time. A great project, for somebody with a little time on their hands, would be to document the PS&P bridges in the Chehalis Valley.

This is a riveted, and partially pin connected, through truss. The approaches on the east end are concrete. The bridge is approached on the west end by a long, low timber trestle.

I will get more photos as fall progresses and the leaves fall. Many of the PS&P bridges are difficult to photograph because of access problems. This one is one of many surrounded by private property.

While I was hiking over to take the bridge photos, what should come along but this intriguing weed sprayer. It appears to be a private company. I tried to get the logo on the side of the truck, but wasn't quick enough.

Reg

[fredric]

There is a site dedicated to bridges. Lots of examples across the country.


Historic Bridges of the United States

[Sawdust]

That double bridge would be nice to model, I like the rust.
That's a great bridge link Fredric.

[ak-milw]

Reg,
The Milwaukee Road owned part of that line at one time.

[Paulanator]

That is a beautiful bridge and photo. Love the truck, that is cool.

[Rhearn4]

Originally Posted by ak-milw

Reg,
The Milwaukee Road owned part of that line at one time.

Actually, I think you are thinking of the lines that ran up the next valley south, that of the Willapa River. The Milwaukee and the UP both had lines from near Chehalis to Raymond on Willapa Bay. The UP line is now a hiking/biking trail. For a lot of years one of the Milwaukee's covered bridges was partially intact. It is now gone. I drove that valley just a few weeks ago.

The BB&E is actually a fictitious narrow gauge line that COULD have been built if the UP and Milwaukee had not built into the valley. If I was using actual place names, Henderson on the BB&E would be Raymond. Big River would be Chehalis. Black Bay would be Willapa Bay. If you have ever seen Willapa bay on a still, overcast day, you would understand the fictitious name.

Henderson is named for my good friend, John Henderson, who passed away last December. Operations in the Willapa Valley were among his favorites.

Reg

[Rhearn4]

Originally Posted by Sawdust

That double bridge would be nice to model, I like the rust.
That's a great bridge link Fredric.

The PS&P is not very aggressive about painting its bridges.

That IS a great link!

Reg

[ak-milw]

Rwg,
you are probably right, I knew they had a line near the Pugent Sound.