CSX A-Line Bridge - (Explored)
#10 on Explore, 4/27/2024
The CSX A-Line Bridge in Richmond, Virginia is a remarkable structure that spans the James River. Let’s delve into its fascinating history:
Design and Construction:
The CSX A-Line Bridge is a double-track concrete bridge that carries the North End Subdivision of CSX Transportation.
It was built jointly by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad in 19191.
The bridge was designed by John E. Greiner, who drew up several other bridges for the RF&P (Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad) and achieved early success in his private consulting business1.
Its purpose was to create a quicker, more direct route around Richmond by passing over east–west tracks on both sides of the river1.
Historical Context:
The origins of this bridge trace back to the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad (RF&P) and the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad (R&P).
The RF&P, chartered in 1834, ran from its station at the northwest corner of Eighth and Broad Streets north to Fredericksburg and the Potomac River at Aquia Creek.
The R&P, chartered in 1836, connected Richmond to Petersburg and further south into North Carolina.
Despite their lengthy lines, these railroads lacked a direct rail connection. During the Civil War, temporary trackage was installed to connect the two stations, but it was unsustainable after the war.
In 1867, a joint company called “The Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac and the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad Connection Company” established a 1.25-mile inter-city connection railroad between the R&P’s Byrd Street Station and the RF&P’s Elba Station.
However, the steep grade and tight curves remained problematic.
To address this, the R&P and RF&P decided to build a “Belt Line” track around Richmond in the late 1880s, providing an alternative route that circumvented the city1.
The CSX A-Line Bridge stands as a testament to engineering ingenuity and the rich history of railroads in the region.
CSX A-Line Bridge - (Explored)
#10 on Explore, 4/27/2024
The CSX A-Line Bridge in Richmond, Virginia is a remarkable structure that spans the James River. Let’s delve into its fascinating history:
Design and Construction:
The CSX A-Line Bridge is a double-track concrete bridge that carries the North End Subdivision of CSX Transportation.
It was built jointly by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad in 19191.
The bridge was designed by John E. Greiner, who drew up several other bridges for the RF&P (Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad) and achieved early success in his private consulting business1.
Its purpose was to create a quicker, more direct route around Richmond by passing over east–west tracks on both sides of the river1.
Historical Context:
The origins of this bridge trace back to the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad (RF&P) and the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad (R&P).
The RF&P, chartered in 1834, ran from its station at the northwest corner of Eighth and Broad Streets north to Fredericksburg and the Potomac River at Aquia Creek.
The R&P, chartered in 1836, connected Richmond to Petersburg and further south into North Carolina.
Despite their lengthy lines, these railroads lacked a direct rail connection. During the Civil War, temporary trackage was installed to connect the two stations, but it was unsustainable after the war.
In 1867, a joint company called “The Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac and the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad Connection Company” established a 1.25-mile inter-city connection railroad between the R&P’s Byrd Street Station and the RF&P’s Elba Station.
However, the steep grade and tight curves remained problematic.
To address this, the R&P and RF&P decided to build a “Belt Line” track around Richmond in the late 1880s, providing an alternative route that circumvented the city1.
The CSX A-Line Bridge stands as a testament to engineering ingenuity and the rich history of railroads in the region.