Covered Bridge and Train

[casualcollector]

The Lower Bartonsville covered bridge is no more. Washed down the swollen Williams River by the floodwaters of tropical storm Irene.

Here, the Green Mountain RR excursion slows for tourists to snap pictures in September, 2003.

[daveh]

The bridge is still there on Google maps and, of course, will be until they do the next aerial photograph. I notice there is another downstream. Well, I presume it's downstream. It is South on the map and I believe most US rivers flow north to south.

On another t(r)ack, the Green Mountain loco isn't exactly the most attractive railway engine there has ever been, which perversely makes it attractive, but in its own way.

[casualcollector]

The word on the second covered bridge is that it is still intact and on it's abutments. Both bridges were built by the same individual aboout the same time, 1870.

Green Mtn #405 is the darling of its owners and just about all fans of US locomotives. It is an ALCO (America Locomotive COmpany) RS-1 (Road Switcher, model 1). Built in Schehectady, NY, about two hours drive from the photo location, it was delivered to the Rutland RR, the Green Mtn's predecessor.

I'll be in the UK in about 60 days. Hope to do a little railfanning and planes potting while I'm there. Along with a pub crawl or two, of course!

Bill

[nikonbob]

It is a shame to loose such an old and historic bridge but a good thing the other has survived. I think I saw a video of this bridge being swept away on the news.

Bob

[daveh]

I think it's been on our news (in Britain) too.

Bill, the weather will be really lousy here a couple of months time, not the ideal time to come as a rule. Is it business or pleasure that brings you over - or both?

[casualcollector]

Timing coincides with my nephews' school holiday. My sister has lived in the UK since the late 80s. Last trip was Christmas '06. Not exactly sunny and warm then, either! I'll be in Ascot/Bracknell/Wokingham area of Berkshire.

[daveh]

It's a whole different world down there, about 200 miles from where I live. I've stayed in Caversham (Reading) years ago and in Egham fairly recently but it's not really an area I know. Egham is on the the border between the Berkshire countryside and London, just a couple of miles from Heathrow. If you're getting out and about and intend to see some of the North-West or North Wales let me know.

[Randy]

Here's the same bridge now.

[daveh]

They can repair that! The person who did the filming could do with a few lessons in "how to".

[casualcollector]

Yes. someone probably could. Don't underestimate a determined Vermonter!

As late as 20 to 25 years ago there was still an individual building covered bridges without steel or nails and hauling them into place with a team of oxen.

[daveh]

It is always hard to know what is the correct collective noun for all places on the globe. I now know what someone from Vermont is called, but I suppose it is one of the easier ones to work out. Some, for example Viginian, are even easier - if only because of the 1960s TV series. Others are more difficult. Locally we have Liverpudlian (Liverpool) and Birkonian (Birkenhead).

Getting back to the bridge: it must be rebuilt as a proper covered bridge. Anything else would amount to sacrilege.