Concrete overpass

@SteveH posted:

For bridges built in the early part of the 20th century in smaller towns and rural areas, it was prototypical for there to be little to no dedicated sidewalk.  Usually there was light traffic so the cars would (hopefully) drive around the pedestrians, waving with all five fingers.   Things have changed since then.

I'll disagree with that statement...but only to a small extent.  This viaduct has a fairly wide sidewalk on the side farthest from the viewer and another coming down the off ramp (http://www.nortonva.gov/gallery.aspx?PID=30).  It could have been added at a later time but my suspect is that it was there for the original school that was across the train tracks (now the high school).

I sent Andre a text and asked him to take a look and reply. He usually gets back to us but it sometimes takes several days.

@A. Wells posted:

I'll disagree with that statement...but only to a small extent.  This viaduct has a fairly wide sidewalk on the side farthest from the viewer and another coming down the off ramp (http://www.nortonva.gov/gallery.aspx?PID=30).  It could have been added at a later time but my suspect is that it was there for the original school that was across the train tracks (now the high school).

Fair point. Sorry for the unintentional generalization. What I should have said would go something like this:

Many bridges I've seen that were built in the early part of the 20th century in smaller towns and rural areas, it was not uncommon for there to be either a very narrow or no dedicated sidewalk.  Of course there are exceptions, including especially long bridges where the only practical means of pedestrian crossing (whatever the bridge traversed) would be over the bridge or if the bridge was curved and would have been especially hazardous to pedestrians whom might otherwise be forced to walk in the vehicle right of way, and other exceptions....

@SteveH - Since you're so smart...if trains are going across the top of it, is it still referred to as an "Overpass" or, is it an "Underpass" if cars are going underneath it??  Inquiring minds want to know. A

@SteveH posted:

Fair point. Sorry for the unintentional generalization. What I should have said would go something like this:

Many bridges I've seen that were built in the early part of the 20th century in smaller towns and rural areas, it was not uncommon for there to be either a very narrow or no dedicated sidewalk.  Of course there are exceptions, including especially long bridges where the only practical means of pedestrian crossing (whatever the bridge traversed) would be over the bridge or if the bridge was curved and would have been especially hazardous to pedestrians whom might otherwise be forced to walk in the vehicle right of way, and other exceptions....

In all honesty, I completely agree with you.  I suspect a fair number of these bridges had sidewalks added at a later time by shrinking down the size of the vehicle lanes.  So many of these concrete structures are now a hazard and are literally falling a part.  Here is a great source of train overpasses that I've been wanting to share: (http://cremedememph.blogspot.c...sses-1-downtown.html)  There is actually two follow-up pages but I'm only able to gain access to the third one (I can't figure out the URL for the second one).  I thought about picking out one of the more ornate ones and using that for modeling purposes but decided to stick with the one I received from Walthers.  (I actually have picked out textured spray paint but, just my luck, only off white is available.)

Anthony

@A. Wells posted:

@SteveH - Since you're so smart...if trains are going across the top of it, is it still referred to as an "Overpass" or, is it an "Underpass" if cars are going underneath it??  Inquiring minds want to know. A

Umm... thanks for the compliment?

I don't know the official answer, but I'm sure you could Google it.  My guess is for most people the answer would depend on their perspective relative to where they are (over or under) in combination with the type of vehicle (auto or train) in which they're traveling.

Andre's company is River Leaf Models.  This is an O scale kit.  I have used several on my layout modifying them to fit the spaces.  This item is still listed on his website.