Yes, the bridge itself could now handle the weight of a Big Boy. However, the rest of our branchline railroad with its lightweight rails and sharp curves would not work so well for a Big Boy.
There are no plans at this time to make crossing the bridge part of the regular train ride, although it's possible that could change. Traditionally only the locomotive would go out on the the bridge after each trip, during the process of moving the locomotive from end of the train to the other in preparation of the next outbound trip. When steam locomotives are in use, they often do their "blowdown" while on the bridge as well. Due to the very short distance (1/3 mile) from the depot to the freight line interchange on the other side of the bridge, there was little reason to take passengers that direction since it did not substantially add to the trip time.
Rail rebuilt!!! Fabulous!!!!
Even a Big Boy?!?
Yes, the bridge itself could now handle the weight of a Big Boy. However, the rest of our branchline railroad with its lightweight rails and sharp curves would not work so well for a Big Boy.
Any idea if the bridge is damaged again from the new flooding or is it good to go?
The bridge itself was undamaged by the recent flooding. The track on either side suffered from some washed out ballast but was quickly repaired.
Will the bridge now be used as part of the museum's train rides?
There are no plans at this time to make crossing the bridge part of the regular train ride, although it's possible that could change. Traditionally only the locomotive would go out on the the bridge after each trip, during the process of moving the locomotive from end of the train to the other in preparation of the next outbound trip. When steam locomotives are in use, they often do their "blowdown" while on the bridge as well. Due to the very short distance (1/3 mile) from the depot to the freight line interchange on the other side of the bridge, there was little reason to take passengers that direction since it did not substantially add to the trip time.
That's OK. I just figured that after you put all that money into repairing the bridge, you'd want to be making use of the bridge regularly.
When is 1385’s restoration slated to be completed?
We're currently anticipating #1385 to begin pulling passengers again starting with our Summer 2019 operating season.
Next year hopefully.
MCRHS sweet! Thanks!
No its fall 2019