Viaducts

Apples55OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

After living in NE Pennsylvania for 23 years, yesterday I finally took a trip to see the Starrucca and Tunkhannock Viaducts (although 23 years is a much shorter time than it took me to get around to building my layout!!!). Unfortunately, there were no trains passing while I was there - have to do some more research before my next excursion - but it was a nice, crisp, generally sunny day for a drive through the hinterlands of PA.

I am in awe at the engineering that went into building these structures, especially when you consider the times and places where they were built. Even today, with decent roads and a good GPS, getting there was a bit of an adventure. Here are some pics. First up, the Starrucca Viaduct in Lanesboro, PA. I think the sign need some help...

Next, the Tunkhannock Viaduct in Nicholson, PA.

So sorry... I just can’t resist...

Groucho: Now here is a little peninsula, and over here is a viaduct leading over to the mainland.
Chico: Why a duck?
Groucho: (after a pause)I’m fine, how are you? I said this is a viaduct leading over to the mainland.
Chico: All right, why a duck?
Groucho: I say that’s a viaduct.
Chico: All right, why a duck? Why a duck? Why not a chicken?

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11/8/181:52 PM

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Lehigh74OGR Forum Member

I stopped at Tunkhannock a few years back and got a few of the same shots as you did. Did you eat at the Bridgeview?

11/8/183:04 PM

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AGHRMattOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERMEMORIAL SUPPORTER

I really like the Tunkhannock Viaduct. Out west, we have this reinforced concrete one over the Santa Ana River. It's about the same age, but not nearly as nice. Spans are 100 feet with a 50-foot span at each end for a total of 900 feet.

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11/8/184:20 PM

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Apples55OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Lehigh74 posted:
I stopped at Tunkhannock a few years back and got a few of the same shots as you did. Did you eat at the Bridgeview?

Didn’t eat in Nicholson... had a third non-train related stop to make (needed a new router) in Dickson City and there was a 5 Guys near the Best Buy!!! Thanks for the info - I’ll have to look into the Bridgeview for my next sojourn.

11/8/186:37 PM

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Apples55OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

AGHRMatt posted:
I really like the Tunkhannock Viaduct. Out west, we have this reinforced concrete one over the Santa Ana River. It's about the same age, but not nearly as nice. Spans are 100 feet with a 50-foot span at each end for a total of 900 feet.

Interesting bridge, Matt. Like the Tunkhannock, it is showing it’s age, but still operating - they knew how to build things back then!!!

While the concrete bridges are impressive, I’m beginning to think the Starrucca is my favorite. There is a certain style to it - the tapered sides, the stone block... here is another pic I took. You can still see the drill marks when the stone blocks were quarried.

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11/8/186:45 PM

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colorado hirailerOGR Forum Member

Some things l keep forgetting to go see on York trips

11/8/187:13 PM

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Apples55OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

colorado hirailer posted:
Some things l keep forgetting to go see on York trips

They are worth the visit, but keep in mind that the Tunkhannock Viaduct is app. a 3 hour drive from York.

11/8/188:19 PM

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Former Member

The work done on these and many other structures in the 19th and 20th centuries is certainly worth much praise. But consider the work done by the ancients. The Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. Most of their work is still standing and some of it still in use.

11/8/188:25 PM

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