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| Name | SKOL Walnut River Bridge Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Bridge #247D |
| Built By | Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway |
| Currently Owned By | South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad |
| Superstructure Contractor | Unknown |
| Length | 342 Feet Total, 140 Foot Main Spans |
| Width | 1 Track |
| Height Above Ground | 30 Feet (Estimated) |
| Superstructure Design | Pratt Through Truss and Timber Pile Trestle |
| Substructure Design | Concrete and Timber Pile |
| Date Built | 1904 |
| Traffic Count | 2 Trains/Day (Estimated) |
| Current Status | In Use |
| Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Bridge Number | 247D |
| South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad Bridge Number | 247.2 |
| Significance | Moderate Significance |
| Documentation Date | 10/28/2017 |
In 1871, the Southern Kansas Railroad (SK) would construct a new railroad, extending 10 miles from Cherryvale, Kansas to Independence, Kansas. In 1879, the Southern Kansas and Western Railroad Company (SK&W) began constructing an additional 138 miles from Independence to Harper, Kansas. This route would be completed in 1880. Both railroads were consolidated into the Kansas City, Lawrence and Southern Kansas Railroad in 1879, which would be consolidated into the Southern Kansas Railway in 1883. In 1885, the Chicago, Kansas & Western Railroad would construct an additional 43 mile connection, between Chanute, Kansas and Longton, Kansas. The Southern Kansas Railway would be leased by the Atchison, Topeka
& Santa Fe Railway (ATSF) in 1899, and entirely consumed by the ATSF
in 1901. The ATSF had acquired and constructed a large number
of railroad lines throughout the western United States, particularly in
Kansas and Oklahoma. This line was utilized as a secondary mainline, connecting a number of ATSF mainlines in Southern Kansas. The line between Longton and Independence would be abandoned in 1968. The Chanute to Wellington segment would be sold to the South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad (SKOL) in 1990. In 2000, the Chanute to Fredonia segment would be abandoned, and purchased for future trail use. In approximately 2002, the segment between Oxford, Kansas and Wellington was abandoned. The remainder of the line continues to be operated by SKOL, serving mainly agricultural traffic. As of 2024, work is underway to convert the 19-mile Chanute to Fredonia segment to the Osage Cuestas Trail.
Located in Winfield, this through truss bridge carries the South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad over the Walnut River. The previous bridge at this location was likely a timber truss or a lightweight iron truss. In 1904, the current bridge would be constructed. The bridge consists of two 140-foot 7-panel pin-connected Pratt through truss spans, set onto concrete substructures and approached by four timber pile trestle spans on the west end. The truss span utilizes a standard ATSF design, including laced members, pinned connections and a double intersection lattice portal bracing with subdivided heel bracing. This design of truss was extensively used by the ATSF from approximately 1898 until approximately 1910, as it provided a cost effective and durable design to cross larger obstacles. Several other examples of this particular standard design exist throughout Kansas. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to good condition, with no significant deterioration noted. The joints and connections have been repaired by cleaning, repairing and painting; a common repair technique used by the ATSF. The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the truss design.
Citations
| Build date | Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Bridge Records; Part of Railroad & Heritage Museum Fred M. and Dale M. Springer Archive; Temple, Texas |
| Railroad History Citation | ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele |