I remember when a steam excursion train/engine came across McCarthy Bridge from Illinois. Verrrrry slowly as there was only an inch or so to spare on either side of the engine. I rode that train on a Missouri excursion the next day. Most steam engine excusions did not bring steam engines over the bridge after that if I remember correctly. Picked them up in rail yards in East St. Louis. Also, a neighbor/coworker used to take the bridge from Collinsville to work in St. Louis daily and was really upset when they shut down the vehicle deck of "her bridge ".
I was pretty fortunate to have seen this bridge and others in person back when I lived outside of St. Louis back in '98-2000. It was rather scary looking & thrilling to see it up close.
The Interstate Bridge going across the St. Louis River from West Duluth, MN to Superior, WI is a "double-stack" bridge, reversed from this, i.e., the railroad is on top with the roadway on the bottom. Because of the heavy iron ore loads going over it it is one of the heavier-duty bridges I've ever seen. Quite the experience with a taconite train rolling overhead!
When I lived in Superior we called that the "Oliver" bridge, because the closest town to it was Oliver, WI. It was built as a swing span bridge to accommodate river traffic, but the span was used only once in the whole history of the bridge. There is a double deck rail bridge in Kansas City, MO that runs trains on two decks. *That* is impressive.
there were 2 double track approaches from both sides of the river, with one track removed, now its only 1 double and 1 single track on each side. Back in the day, Union Station saw somewhere around 15 railroads and probably around 100 trains or more daily, I forget the numbers exactly but you can be assured that this bridge was non stop action. earlier this week I saw 1 train going east while passing one going west on the main span with another riding close behind on the approach span. First time I ever saw 3 trains at once on the bridge structure.
Quite a bridge- What impress'd me most were those "Man Ramps" structures that stick off the side at regular intervals-- I can imagine working on the bridge, seeing an approaching train- and making a hasty sprint for one- then stand out over the river while a steam locomotive passed by me, only a few feet away, ---shuttering the bridge as the engine covered me in cinders, smoke and steam..... :)
after eating at the white castle right below the bridge, it's nice to see what's on top. wonder how much difference removing the top deck did for the view?
Good golly what a rusty uncared for neglected structure which hasn't been painted since new 100 plus years ago. It is a testament to the engineers that designed it but everything needs a little maintenance. Highway bridges often don't last 30 years. Wish the government would cut the railroads a tax break so they could compete with the public subsidized trucking industry. I guess it's who has the wealthiest lobbyists.
Hmmm. I looked at the MacArthur Bridge on Bing maps, and am unable to reconcile _that_ image with the bridge in this video. For one thing, the tracks coming off the bridge seem to be turning in the opposite direction. There is not the right-turn as shown in the video. Please explain. Thanks!
This looks CREEPY and SCARY as HELL!!! As bad as the Huey P. from New Orleans. Man! the way those tracks are squeaking and the rickety, rocking sound...Smh
What an amazing structure...the engineering that went into it.
I remember when a steam excursion train/engine came across McCarthy Bridge from Illinois. Verrrrry slowly as there was only an inch or so to spare on either side of the engine. I rode that train on a Missouri excursion the next day. Most steam engine excusions did not bring steam engines over the bridge after that if I remember correctly. Picked them up in rail yards in East St. Louis. Also, a neighbor/coworker used to take the bridge from Collinsville to work in St. Louis daily and was really upset when they shut down the vehicle deck of "her bridge ".
I was pretty fortunate to have seen this bridge and others in person back when I lived outside of St. Louis back in '98-2000. It was rather scary looking & thrilling to see it up close.
I always thought Bi State buses ran across the top deck in the 70s before before they built Metrolink in the 90s
I remember when trains and cars went across the MacArthur bridge wow
I'm fairly sure this is the Old Route 66 MacArthur Bridge in St Louis. The top Deck was Highway Route 66 at one time.
wow I remember when this was double line track amazing thanks😁
A barge went by perfect timing
A double stack railway bridge?! Amazing! Never seen before!
The Interstate Bridge going across the St. Louis River from West Duluth, MN to Superior, WI is a "double-stack" bridge, reversed from this, i.e., the railroad is on top with the roadway on the bottom. Because of the heavy iron ore loads going over it it is one of the heavier-duty bridges I've ever seen. Quite the experience with a taconite train rolling overhead!
Jw Slijm may be way the top deck was removed.
When I lived in Superior we called that the "Oliver" bridge, because the closest town to it was Oliver, WI. It was built as a swing span bridge to accommodate river traffic, but the span was used only once in the whole history of the bridge.
There is a double deck rail bridge in Kansas City, MO that runs trains on two decks. *That* is impressive.
The upper deck used to carry the City Route 66, that was closed in 1981. Only part of the upper deck has ever been removed.
Most of the upper level has been since removed (as of 2015).
That's a hell of a track layout - imagine building this on a model railway. I wonder where the top level track originally went?
There was never a top “track” level. It was a road deck for cars on top and trains below.
That bridge, from the ground, to North Approach Junction was designed for double tracks. Forward thinking then, would not do now.
there were 2 double track approaches from both sides of the river, with one track removed, now its only 1 double and 1 single track on each side. Back in the day, Union Station saw somewhere around 15 railroads and probably around 100 trains or more daily, I forget the numbers exactly but you can be assured that this bridge was non stop action. earlier this week I saw 1 train going east while passing one going west on the main span with another riding close behind on the approach span. First time I ever saw 3 trains at once on the bridge structure.
Passengers that walked to St. Louis got there 10 minutes before the train. That bridge could be the poster child for "Infrastructure Week".
Speed probably has more to do with the track grades and curves.
Quite a bridge- What impress'd me most were those "Man Ramps" structures that stick off the side at regular intervals-- I can imagine working on the bridge, seeing an approaching train- and making a hasty sprint for one- then stand out over the river while a steam locomotive passed by me, only a few feet away, ---shuttering the bridge as the engine covered me in cinders, smoke and steam..... :)
Right, because maintenance workers always do their work while trains are using the bridge.
It would be nicer if you could have seen more
There is something you won't see ever again...the upper highway deck of the former route 66. Long gone and totally remover.....
When did the railroad at that time remove the track to the right of the present main line? Looks to me to be quite along time ago.
Surprised that there are no guardrails from thetrack shown at the beginning if the video to North Approach Junction.
Awesome!
Play this in reverse if you want a view from the locomotive.
after eating at the white castle right below the bridge, it's nice to see what's on top. wonder how much difference removing the top deck did for the view?
I don't think that my stomach could handle White Castles and this view!
this is the most st louis comment ever
Good golly what a rusty uncared for neglected structure which hasn't been painted since new 100 plus years ago. It is a testament to the engineers that designed it but everything needs a little maintenance. Highway bridges often don't last 30 years. Wish the government would cut the railroads a tax break so they could compete with the public subsidized trucking industry. I guess it's who has the wealthiest lobbyists.
Nicely done
Any idea when the bridge was built? I'm guessing 1900-1920.
Construction started in 1909.
Opened in 1917 for vehicles (upper level), lower deck for rail service not complete until 1928.
Eage bridge..right?
Cool
Hmmm. I looked at the MacArthur Bridge on Bing maps, and am unable to reconcile _that_ image with the bridge in this video. For one thing, the tracks coming off the bridge seem to be turning in the opposite direction. There is not the right-turn as shown in the video. Please explain. Thanks!
is that a highway bridge that goes up over the railroad bridge and joins over the rr bridge? Looks like its closed off to traffic
Yes it is it once was a bridge that served rail and car
Mississippi Mississippi
Love dis vid!
Nice to see from rail side,
GAS ME, SLOW AS A SNAIL WITH ELMERS GUE ON IT'S STOMACH😂😆🤓
Hold that camera steady!
This looks CREEPY and SCARY as HELL!!! As bad as the Huey P. from New Orleans. Man! the way those tracks are squeaking and the rickety, rocking sound...Smh
Yes, many trains have fallen into the river there.
Ugly rusty unmaintained bridge.
Unmaintained? LOL. Why would you say something so stupid?
Rust is fine for certain types of steel. Paint won't last long.
…You dare slander my city like that, boy?