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Babcock Rail Bridge

Warren Pony Truss Bridge over Yellow River
Babcock, Wood County, Wisconsin

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Babcock Rail Bridge
Built By Chicago, Milwaukee St. Paul & Pacific Railway
Contractor Federal Bridge Company of Des Moines, Iowa
Currently Owned By Canadian National Railway
Length 781 Feet Total, 105 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 10 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Warren Pony Truss, Deck Girder and Trestle
Substructure Type Timber Pile
Date Built 1916
Traffic Count 2 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
CN Bridge Number 31.83
Significance Moderate Significance


This standard Warren Pony Truss crosses the Yellow River just south of Babcock.
The bridge was built in 1916, and utilizes a 8-Panel Riveted Warren Pony Truss. The bridge is approached by trestle, and a pair of short deck girder spans cross an access road on the south approach.
This type of Warren Pony Truss was used by Milwaukee Road during this era to replace older structures, which had become obsolete. Similar examples can be found in Iowa.
The substructures are made of wood, being a key indicator this bridge was built for branch line traffic.

The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the more common design and newer age than similar structures.
The photo above is an overview.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Historic Newspapers
Contractor Railway Review, Volume 56
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele