In the 80’s I used to walk across the bridge all the time. I grew up right there. That road you referred too was not there years ago. It was just put in not long ago. In the 90’s kids stole wood from the lumber yard on the coplay side and built a suspended fort under the bridge in between the frame work. I ran with Northampton fire dept at that time and we got called to put it out as it was on fire.
Surprising that so much of that is intact. That line must not be officially abandoned. Whenever they've abandoned a railroad in my area they don't even leave the dirt fill!
Good morning Sam. You make a good point. Perhaps whoever owns it is waiting for the river to wash it away. One of the support pillars has had some significant damage from flooding. Wonder how much time it had left.
That road is brand new as a walking path has always been a path just put in to make the rails to trails path.never heard it called third ward road as I have lived in Nothhampton all my life
Good morning Fred, I may have the name wrong however this is not new. I have a 1933 picture of this location that clearly shows this is a road leading to lock 35 to the south and north to houses or buildings of some kind. Stemtown was located in the third ward and a quick Google search of third ward Northampton PA will give you a bit more information about that particular area. Let me know what you think. Thanks for reaching out. If you would like, you can reach me at ksalsbury500@gmail.com I would love to share the picture with you. It's amazing to see!!
Don't feel badly there are some bridges I've never made the trek across is where you stopped its starting to look mushy or has a gap That sure is unique how this bridge crosses a former Road a canal and towpath in addition to a river. I happen to subscribe to TRP and there's a monthly story in there by Mike Bednar who was working for the LV during the transition time of the CNJ retrenchment. So now seeing your footage I can place some of the items he talks about. As you walked up the pieces of stone that part of the bridge certainly seems sturdy. There is a couple people in the Southwest let's use homemade lightweight motor cars to ride old right of ways that are still equipped with rail but these areas areas are too close to the brush or too many sections missing
Good morning Paul. Interesting that you bring up Mike Bednar. I've had the good fortune to be in communication with his younger brother Keith. These men are Lehigh Valley railroad legends. Mike can look at almost any clip of a video and tell you right where it is. I'm hopeful to meet with Keith sometime this month! The ties definitely became soft and I began to get the vertigo at this point. After the video ended I had to sit down and turn around on my back side lol. I faired much better from the western side.
Hey, you are so right. I've been up on that trestle from the other side many times, but not across. Looks way to sketchy to me. But as you said, kids go across that thing all the time like nothing. LOL! I live very close. I'm on the Whitehall side, but I grew up in North Catasauqua and remember kids going across it back in the 70s. There is another trestle just below the Pine Street Bridge and Darktown. I've photographed both of them, but just not up to crossing them.
Good morning Charlie. I was out on the one by Pine street on Sunday. That thing is in worse shape then this one is. I'm heading back this weekend with some better information. Won't be crossing it though. Way to sketchy. Have a great day.
@@kevinsalsbury2118 Yeah, it's definitely in really bad condition. It would be cool if the trails associations could renovate one of them as a connection between the IRT and the D and L. I'm sure that would take some big dollars though. Have a great week!
dont feel sorry, that looks sketchy! My most daring crossing was a semi-active RR bridge. Got the photos from up top but wasn't the smartest idea--LOL!
Hey Kevin if I were you I would even attempt to go across that thing Oldham ties are pretty rotted and I remember going across it back in the seventies it was scary then it looks scarier now
My mom grew up in Northampton and we would visit my Grandma every other weekend growing up. Aunts and Uncles in Coplay too. I moved to NY 20 years ago but would like to retire somewhere in the Lehigh Valley, I think it's a beautiful place
Well, you are much braver than I. I would have stayed between the rails IF I ever tried crossing that bridge. But very interesting to see it still standing.
Don't feel bad. When I was like 14 I'd have crossed that without thinking. As I get older I tend to use my brain a lot more and probably would've turned back as well.
@RCAvhstape Your handle on RUclips is great my friend. I had a couple of tapes that I watched so often that eventually they would break after being rewound lol. This bridge has been constantly getting the best of me and I think I'm finally tapping out on it. I got the footage I needed and left still in one piece. My brain was definitely telling the rest of me "I don't think so" Once in a while I listen lol. Have a great day.
@@kevinsalsbury2118 dry rails, no-slip soles, and get some practice on the safe bits first. Don't walk backwards. Please don't fall , I'll feel so guilty.
In the 80’s I used to walk across the bridge all the time. I grew up right there. That road you referred too was not there years ago. It was just put in not long ago. In the 90’s kids stole wood from the lumber yard on the coplay side and built a suspended fort under the bridge in between the frame work. I ran with Northampton fire dept at that time and we got called to put it out as it was on fire.
I saw all the burnt ties on the bridge. Is that where they built the fort?
Surprising that so much of that is intact. That line must not be officially abandoned. Whenever they've abandoned a railroad in my area they don't even leave the dirt fill!
Good morning Sam. You make a good point. Perhaps whoever owns it is waiting for the river to wash it away. One of the support pillars has had some significant damage from flooding. Wonder how much time it had left.
I'm right with ya Kevin-no way could I cross that bridge! I loved the beauty of it though!
Good morning Nancy. This one definitely got the best of me. Many attempts and many turn backs lol.
CNJ merged trackage with LV in 65 to minimize maintenance. Ceased operations in PA in 72. Good Video !! Enjoy your work.
Thank you Patrick. That was the information I was waiting for!!
We appreciate what you do, not what you don't do. Your videos are amazing. Safety first. I wouldn't have crossed either.
Thank you so very much Arthur. This is one of the kindest comments I have received to date. I truly thank you sir.
Hey, you made it further out on that thing than I would've! Be careful out there Kevin.
Thank you Mark!! No more risky business for a little while. Have a great night.
Dude that’s incredible!!! I can’t believe how much of this stuff is still preserved!!
Oh man there is so much along the Lehigh river. You've got to get out here with me and see this stuff for yourself!!
Dude; this is not preservation
It’s called abandonment
@@MillersRailfan you’re right…I chose the wrong word. I meant “still standing and in existence.”
@@ThirdHandle gotcha
That road is brand new as a walking path has always been a path just put in to make the rails to trails path.never heard it called third ward road as I have lived in Nothhampton all my life
Good morning Fred,
I may have the name wrong however this is not new. I have a 1933 picture of this location that clearly shows this is a road leading to lock 35 to the south and north to houses or buildings of some kind. Stemtown was located in the third ward and a quick Google search of third ward Northampton PA will give you a bit more information about that particular area. Let me know what you think.
Thanks for reaching out.
If you would like, you can reach me at ksalsbury500@gmail.com
I would love to share the picture with you. It's amazing to see!!
Don't feel badly there are some bridges I've never made the trek across is where you stopped its starting to look mushy or has a gap That sure is unique how this bridge crosses a former Road a canal and towpath in addition to a river. I happen to subscribe to TRP and there's a monthly story in there by Mike Bednar who was working for the LV during the transition time of the CNJ retrenchment. So now seeing your footage I can place some of the items he talks about. As you walked up the pieces of stone that part of the bridge certainly seems sturdy. There is a couple people in the Southwest let's use homemade lightweight motor cars to ride old right of ways that are still equipped with rail but these areas areas are too close to the brush or too many sections missing
Good morning Paul. Interesting that you bring up Mike Bednar. I've had the good fortune to be in communication with his younger brother Keith. These men are Lehigh Valley railroad legends. Mike can look at almost any clip of a video and tell you right where it is. I'm hopeful to meet with Keith sometime this month!
The ties definitely became soft and I began to get the vertigo at this point. After the video ended I had to sit down and turn around on my back side lol. I faired much better from the western side.
I cross the old trestle at least once a month. I’m not afraid of it.
I find it easier from the Coplay side. That section on the Northampton side just freaks me out.
Hey, you are so right. I've been up on that trestle from the other side many times, but not across. Looks way to sketchy to me. But as you said, kids go across that thing all the time like nothing. LOL! I live very close. I'm on the Whitehall side, but I grew up in North Catasauqua and remember kids going across it back in the 70s. There is another trestle just below the Pine Street Bridge and Darktown. I've photographed both of them, but just not up to crossing them.
Good morning Charlie. I was out on the one by Pine street on Sunday. That thing is in worse shape then this one is. I'm heading back this weekend with some better information. Won't be crossing it though. Way to sketchy. Have a great day.
@@kevinsalsbury2118 Yeah, it's definitely in really bad condition. It would be cool if the trails associations could renovate one of them as a connection between the IRT and the D and L. I'm sure that would take some big dollars though. Have a great week!
What an awesome area with the Canals, Railroad’s and those bridges! 👌
Just the tip of the iceberg Dave!! Both sides of the river have so much to see. Heading back for more on Sunday!! Have a wonderful day 😊
Kevin said “pulled out”
😆🤣oh my goodness John
Safety first. That is a sketchy crossing. Cool spot, though!
Thank you Charles. Definitely not the safest place but cool indeed!
That looked scary🎉🎉
I was petrified Dave!! I had to sit down and turn around on my back side before I could climb down. Not my best moment.
The rotting timbers and lush vegetation are GIANT 🚩red flags, Kevin!!!!
Please turn back
Agreed and I did.
@@kevinsalsbury2118 thank you and thank God
dont feel sorry, that looks sketchy! My most daring crossing was a semi-active RR bridge. Got the photos from up top but wasn't the smartest idea--LOL!
I'm right there with you lol. I know it's not smart but.....
Got to push it a bit out of the comfort zone sometimes.
Hey Kevin if I were you I would even attempt to go across that thing Oldham ties are pretty rotted and I remember going across it back in the seventies it was scary then it looks scarier now
Hey Bruce. I was definitely second guessing my choice of walking out as far as I did. This thing is not for the faint of heart.
CNJ pulled out of PA by midnight on 3/31/72.
Thank you!!
My mom grew up in Northampton and we would visit my Grandma every other weekend growing up. Aunts and Uncles in Coplay too. I moved to NY 20 years ago but would like to retire somewhere in the Lehigh Valley, I think it's a beautiful place
I see you have the eagles logo in your circle. You must be in hell up there with those giants fans 😆.
Come back home my friend.
Well, you are much braver than I. I would have stayed between the rails IF I ever tried crossing that bridge. But very interesting to see it still standing.
I don't know about braver. Perhaps more foolish, as this thing is pretty rickety in spots. I've tried to cross multiple times but never make it.
Don't feel bad. When I was like 14 I'd have crossed that without thinking. As I get older I tend to use my brain a lot more and probably would've turned back as well.
@RCAvhstape Your handle on RUclips is great my friend. I had a couple of tapes that I watched so often that eventually they would break after being rewound lol.
This bridge has been constantly getting the best of me and I think I'm finally tapping out on it. I got the footage I needed and left still in one piece. My brain was definitely telling the rest of me "I don't think so" Once in a while I listen lol. Have a great day.
A favorite spot for Northampton kids playing hooky.
That would absolutely be my spot if I was skipping school. Good to hear from you my friend.
Thanks Kevin great video.
Good morning Nick. Thank you. I'm uploading one more right now. Wait till you see what we find on that one.
Walk the rails. It is no challenge at all with two side be side.
Never even thought about walking the rails. Good point. Maybe I'll give it another go.
@@kevinsalsbury2118 dry rails, no-slip soles, and get some practice on the safe bits first. Don't walk backwards. Please don't fall , I'll feel so guilty.
Hey Steve. I don't think I'm going back to this one. It's just to damn high. I'll let the young ones with no fear take the glory lol
(More than) Seven steps to Heaven - Miles Davis
Will be listening to this as soon as I'm done typing.
Kevin- PLEASE BE CAREFUL DOING THIS STUFF
My wife would have freaked out if she new I was up there 🙃
@@kevinsalsbury2118 as did i
Kevin you are disappointing NOBODY by turning around
I know, but I really wanted to pull this off. I've tried so many times but just can't make it 😪
The rotting timbers and lush vegetation are GIANT 🚩red flags, Kevin!!!!
Please turn back
I had to turn around on my backside. Darn vertigo kicked in.