Click the photo to view the full-size version
| Name | Abandoned Martin Creek Arch Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Bridge #39C |
| Built By | Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway |
| Currently Owned By | BNSF Railway |
| Superstructure Contractor | Unknown |
| Length | 24 Feet Total |
| Width | 1 Track |
| Height Above Ground | 15 Feet (Estimated) |
| Superstructure Design | Concrete Arch |
| Substructure Design | Concrete |
| Date Built | 1912 |
| Traffic Count | 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is Abandoned) |
| Current Status | Abandoned |
| Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Bridge Number | 39C |
| BNSF Railway Bridge Number | BNSF Railway Bridge 39.3 |
| Significance | Local Significance |
| Documentation Date | 1/28/2017 |
In 1870, the Kansas City and Santa Fe Railroad and Telegraph Company (KCSFRT) began construction on a 32 mile railroad line between Olathe, Kansas and North Ottawa, Kansas. In 1871, the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad (ATSF) continued construction of the line westwards towards Newton, Kansas. In 1879, the Cowley, Sumner and Fort Smith Railroad (CS&FS) completed a disconnected segment, 44 miles in length, between Mulvane, Kansas and Caldwell, Kansas. In 1882, the Kansas City and Olathe Railroad completed a 10 mile line, connecting Olathe to Holliday, Kansas; where an existing ATSF mainline had previously been constructed. This route would immediately be leased to the Southern Kansas Railway (SK). The CS&FS would be consolidated into the Wichita and Southwestern Railway (W&SW) in 1882. In 1883 and 1884, the ATSF would construct an additional 54 miles of railroad for the Kansas City and Emporia Railroad (KC&E) from North Ottawa to Emporia, Kansas. The KCSFRT was sold several times, eventually becoming part of the SK in 1885. The KC&E would also become part of the SK in 1885. In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas & Western Railway (CK&W) constructed an additional 20 miles from Mulvane to Augusta, Kansas, as well as a short segment from Ellinor to Bazaar, Kansas. The CK&W was leased by the ATSF in 1889. The W&SW and SK would be leased by the ATSF in 1899, and all three railroads were consolidated into the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway (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 served as a portion of the principal mainline between Chicago, Kansas City and the West Coast. In addition, this line connected to numerous other ATSF lines, and would quickly become one of the heaviest used lines in Kansas. The entire line from Holliday to Ellinor was double tracked between 1905 and 1910. In 1922, the Eldorado & Santa Fe Railway would complete a connection between El Dorado, Kansas and Bazaar, Kansas. This railroad would be consolidated into the ATSF in 1942. The ATSF would merge with Burlington Northern Railroad in 1996 to form BNSF Railway, the current owner of this line. The Holliday to Wellington segment of this line is operated as the Emporia Subdivision.
Located east of Edgerton, this abandoned concrete arch carried the original Santa Fe mainline over Martin Creek. The first bridge at this location was likely a timber trestle. In 1901, a second alignment was constructed north of this bridge as part of a double tracking project, and the original south line was left intact for eastbound trains. This arch was constructed in 1912, and features a single 24-foot concrete arch span, set onto concrete abutments. The arch appears to be a standard design for the Santa Fe, with wing walls extending at a 45-degree angle. This style of bridge was commonly used by railroads throughout the United States, as it was durable and easy to construct. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to good condition, with no critical defects noted. This line was abandoned in approximately 2013, after an additional track was added to the northern alignment. The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common 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 |