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Chanute Rail Bridge

Pratt Through Truss Bridge over Neosho River
North of Chanute, Neosho County, Kansas

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Chanute Rail Bridge
Built By Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad
Length 809 Feet Total, 172 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 20 Feet (Estimated)
SuperstructureType Pratt Through Truss, Deck Girder and Trestle
SubstructureType Stone Masonry, Concrete and Timber Pile
Date Built 1898
Traffic Count 2 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
SKOL Bridge Number 123.1
Significance Moderate Significance
Documentation Date March 2017


This bridge contains one of the most common through truss designs in Kansas.
These structures were built for the ATSF between 1898 and 1903. This structure was reportedly built in 1898 and is one of the oldest structures of this design.
The main span is a pin connected, Pratt Through Truss with 7 panels.
Approaching the bridge are three deck girder spans. Two are on the south approach, and one on the north approach.
In addition, several trestle spans approach on either end, to cross the wide flood plain of the Neosho.
The bridge rests on a combination of stone and wood substructures. The main piers in which the truss rest on have been encased in concrete.

The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the standardized and common nature of this structure, despite it being rather old.
The photo above is an overview. The bridge was accessed from the north.

Neosho River Railroad Bridges
Upstream MP Neosho River Bridge (Iola)
Downstream ATSF Neosho River Bridge (Chanute)

Citations

Source Type

Source

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