[lepew_62]

I was wondering if I am the only one waiting for the bridge to kill someone. It seems that year after year more of the bridge falls away. I wade the Miami so I have had a close up look at its base. I noticed that it was 100 yrs ago today that it started handling rail traffic. The one that crosses river rd is in just as bad of shape. Whenever I wade beneath either bridge I almost feel as if I should be wearing a hard hat. I imagine CSX will do like it always does, wait till someone is killed before making improvements. I have noticed that crossing gates always go up after a fatality.

[eiyapet]

When is the last time any maintenance has even been done on it?

[mike9]

Think that mexican and his donkey are mumified in there? Maybe they are trying to chisel their way out.

[cornfan]

Lepew,
Are we talking about the bridge that crosses the river and 25-A at the south edge of Sidney?

If so, you are certainly right about pieces of concrete falling away and the need for repair.  However, the bridge is not 100 years old.  In 1912 the railroad still went through downtown Sidney - including the remains of the support that is painted annually near Custenborder.  The Big 4 Bridge was completed in the fall of 1924.  You can read some really interesting accounts of the trials and tribulations of its construction, including a failed attempt to dynamite the center span, by going to the following link from the Shelby County Historical Society (it's 5 screens long and includes photos):

http://www.shelbycountyhistory.org/schs/archives/landmarks/big4landmarka.htm

As long as we're talking about the railroad, did you know that the main road through Tawawa Park is built on the railbed for the tracks that the Big 4 replaced?  More interesting reading:

http://www.sidneyoh.com/parks/park_info/Tawawa.html

[Papa]

  Go fast, don't look up.

[mike9]

The story was there was a train car in tawwa lake, thats why your line always gets snagged.

[lepew_62]

I read in the 100 yrs ago news blurb yesterday that a new rail bridge started to handle traffic. It stated the bridge was south of Sidney. I just assumed that it was the big 4 bridge since it said the bridge was quite the accomplishment. Maybe I misread the article, is there a way to check yesterdays news of the past. I guess I could go through my aunts back issue.

[lepew_62]

wanted to add, I did know the rail bed ran thru Tawawa park. I have waded the creek that runs thru the park. If one wades about a mile or so  there is still the double culvert from the old rail. I have caught a cpl  nice smallmouth in that little area. I have also waded up from pasco in the same creek. It was a rough wade, lots of rocks, rapid decline in elevation. I bet at this time there are some class 5 rapids running thru it. Next time I will drive outside pasco to the next bridge then wade. What is the name of that creek by the way.

[lepew_62]

Found the article, it reads. The first train was run over the new C.H. & D. concrete bridge south of the city yesterday and since that time all through trains on the railroad have been running over the bridge and the big fills approaching it. The concrete bridge is a magnificent structure and will well repay anyone going miles to see it. The work , which is now being completed, is one of the largest improvements ever made in this section of the state. It is expected that it will be several months before all of the work thru the city will be finished. The date was March 7, 1911. Is that the bridge that crosses the Miami at river road ??

[cornfan]

Lepew,
You are probably right that it is the bridge that crosses the river at River Road.  The C H & D (Chicago, Hamilton and Dayton RR) ran north and south through the county, so it would have intersected the Big Four RR.  According to A B Hitchcock's History of Shelby County, written in 1913, the railroad had made recent improvements in the county, so that certainly could have included the bridge referred to in the "100 Years Ago."  Here is a link to Hitchcock's comments about the history of the C H & D:

http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/almon-baldwin-carrington-hitchcock/history-of-shelby-county-ohio-and-representative-citizens-cti/page-24-history-of-shelby-county-ohio-and-representative-citizens-cti.shtml

For those who didn't know, "Big Four" referred to the CCC & StL Railroad - Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Louis Railroad.

[Hoss]

CH&D RR

It was told that my Great Grandfather (who rode it frequently) always referred to it as the

"Cinders,Heat & Damn Rough Ride"   

[Papa]

[quote author=lepew_62 link=topic=3338.msg38600#msg38600 date=1299624829]
wanted to add, I did know the rail bed ran thru Tawawa park. I have waded the creek that runs thru the park. If one wades about a mile or so  there is still the double culvert from the old rail. I have caught a cpl  nice smallmouth in that little area. I have also waded up from pasco in the same creek. It was a rough wade, lots of rocks, rapid decline in elevation. I bet at this time there are some class 5 rapids running thru it. Next time I will drive outside pasco to the next bridge then wade. What is the name of that creek by the way.
[/quote]
If we are talking about the same area, I have found some of the best yellow mushrooms I have ever found in that area. The season is getting close, I'm having dreams already.

[eiyapet]

Keep an eye out for some oyster mushrooms.