Now that the temps are finally coming up and the sun is out, I have been taking advantage of it to take walks. I went downtown one sunny Wednesday, late morning. As I was walking, I heard the train whistle somewhat far away. I figured, great, as usual I've missed it on the bridge yet again, so I didn't bother rushing down there. I wandered around briefly and was in my fave shop when I heard the train whistle blow right across the street. I bolted out of the store and humped it through the park. The train slowed and came to a stop at the platform and the bridge showed no sign of moving. I thought it was another fake out, but then I noticed a tug boat approaching the bridge and realized that they were waiting for it to pass underneath. That gave me time to get to the rip rap in time. I waited and the bridge finally began to lower!!
Locking into place.
There it goes!
One of these days I'll do the tourist train and cross it in person, but for now this is the next best thing to see.
There it goes!
Bridge starts it's ascent.
Bridge deck and counterweight passing each other.
It only took just about 3 years, but I can finally cross this one off the local bucket list.
What a lovely bridge, I've never seen one that operates in that fashion, I'm familiar only with the old draw bridges. Looks like luck was with you that day and the timing turned out perfectly.
ReplyDeleteIt sure was! I guess the key is to not go down there with any expectations! This is a very unique bridge and ranks amongst my faves like the Golden Gate.
DeleteTotally worth the three years, JoJo. I'm guessing it's not manned, huh? There is a bridge by us that remains upright ALL the time. I've asked the natives what is and why and no one knows. It drives me crazy with wonder. These were great pictures. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteThanks!! I have seen people going up into the bridge control room before so I think that it's manned for the train schedules, which seem to sometimes be erratic.
DeleteI find bridges fascinating. All kinds. I like the old covered bridges. I also like these modern bridges that work in synchronicity to raise and lower for boats to go by. We have several bridges here and the only time I am not a fan is when it is thunderstorming, the wind is blowing, and you get stuck at the top in traffic. The wind is so fierce the entire car shakes. Then, I mutter bad words about bridges. The rest of the time... love them!
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of covered bridges in New England and I love them too. I don't like being stuck in traffic on them though. I used to commute to San Francisco on Golden Gate Transit from Marin County and one night the bus broke down, in rush hour, on the Golden Gate Bridge. The driver was able to get it to limp across to the view point parking lot on the other side, where we had to wait over an hour for a bus to finish it's own route and then come get us and do our route.
DeleteWhat fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks! It was!
DeleteJoJo - I have never seen a bridge like that - essentially a very long elevator! Well worth your 3-year pursuit. looking at the intricacies of that metal structure and design reminded me of standing under the Eiffel Tower and looking up at the complexity of that metalworks. I'm marking this post for return viewing; it's a photo montage of much interest.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind words! :) This bridge is a brilliant design and has a filigree elegance about it. I was on the other side yesterday, right up to it and it was so windy that the cables were shaking, but it made such a cool sound that I just stood there and watched & listened.
DeleteThe pictures are amazing, your timing is so perfect.
ReplyDeleteDamyanti, Co-host A to Z Challenge April 2014, My Latest post
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Well i got lucky this time; every other time I've gone down there to shoot the train, it doesn't show up.
DeleteHi JoJo,
ReplyDeleteWow, that is really an interesting bridge set up. I'm quite fond of bridges. Sometimes I think it's a bridge too far. I reckon going for a train ride over that bridge would be lots of fun. All aboard!
Gary :)
I want to do it, much to Russell's chagrin. I enjoy being a tourist and he's jjust hoping no one sees or recognizes him. lol He literally hid inside when the canal cruise boat we were on caught up to and passed a commercial fishing boat loaded with people he's known for years. So I waved and shot pictures of them. lol
DeleteAhh a very familar site!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy seeing my home state through new eyes!
DeleteVery nice, JoJo. I love swing bridges, but hadn't seen many that raise and lower. Hubs is a train engineer so I showed him your pix too. Magritte is my M for the day, on my blog, and one of the links is to your favorite painting, I think. . .just thought I'd mention it.
ReplyDeleteOh sweet I can't wait to see your post! What did your hubby think of our humble bridge? Speaking of swing bridges, I did Capilano when I was up in Vancouver. My desire for great pictures overcame my fear of that bridge. It actually wasn't that bad at all.
DeleteThat is so awesome! Great pictures. What are the odds that you would catch a train crossing in process? ♥
ReplyDeleteWell I guess better than any time I went down there based upon the actual schedule, only to have it not show up, or start across and then back up.
DeleteSo your bridge stays up all the time, except when a train wants to pass through? Ours in Florida stay down all the time, and go up for the boats either every 15 or 30 minutes depending on how busy the car traffic is on the street using the bridge.
ReplyDeleteOurs has to stay up because of the volume of marine traffic that uses the Canal. Cargo ships, cruise ships, oil tankers, tugs, pleasure craft, commercial fishing....There are 2 vehicle bridges so this one only needs to be lowered when there's a train, about 4-6 times a day.
DeleteThat is so cool. I've seen a bridge like that somewhere. They're pretty amazing.
ReplyDeleteLee
Wrote By Rote
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When it was a smaller Canal, the bridge in the early 1900s was a cantelever style with only one counterweight that lifted the bridge up.
DeleteYou GOT it! That's so awesome! I've never seen a bridge engineered that way - totally amazing! I love both bridges AND trains, so this is amazing to see. Love the angles you got.
ReplyDeleteTina @ Life is Good
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Thanks! I would love to get the train headed over from the other side, and also be on the other side and see the train. It's pretty cool.
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