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BNSF Little Walnut River Bridge

Pratt Through Truss Bridge over Little Walnut River
Douglass, Butler County, Kansas

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name BNSF Little Walnut River Bridge
Built By Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway
Contractor American Bridge Works of Chicago
Currently Owned By BNSF Railway
Length 180 Feet Total, 103 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 10 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Pratt Through Truss and Trestle
Substructure Type Concrete Encased Stone Masonry and Timber Pile
Date Built 1897
Traffic Count 10 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
BNSF Bridge Number 200.49
Significance Moderate Significance
Documentation Date October 2017


This standardized Pratt Through Truss crosses the Little Walnut River north of Douglass, Kansas.
Built in 1897, the five-panel, pin connected Pratt Through truss features a single short span.
Similar structures can be seen around the Santa Fe system. The bridge sits on stone piers that were later encased in concrete.
In addition to the main span, the bridge also contains several trestle approach spans on either side.
Overall, the bridge remains in good condition. Preventative maintenance has occurred around the joints, hopefully preserving this bridge for years to come.

The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the common truss design.
The photo above is an overview.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway 1984 Bridge Records
Contractor Engineering News Volume 38
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele