CN Drummer Creek Bridge (North)

Gibson City, Ford County, Illinois

Default pic
North approach
Looking south
South pier
South approach
Girder details
North pier
Overview
Looking north towards bridge

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Default Pic
North approach
Looking south
South pier
South approach
Girder details
North pier
Overview
Looking north towards bridge
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Caption:
Name CN Drummer Creek Bridge (North)
Illinois Central Railroad Bridge #D-110.6WW
Built By Illinois Central Railroad
Currently Owned By Canadian National Railway
Superstructure Contractor Bethlehem Steel Company of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Length 146 Feet Total, 65 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Design Deck Plate Girder and Timber Pile Trestle
Substructure Design Timber Pile
Date Built 1947
Traffic Count 2 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
Illinois Central Railroad Bridge Number D-110.6WW
Canadian National Railway Bridge Number 110.6WW
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date 11/6/2022

In 1871, the Gilman, Clinton & Springfield Railroad (GC&S) completed 102 miles of new railroad, extending from the Illinois Central Railroad (IC) mainline at Gilman, Illinois to Springfield, Illinois.  This route provided an underserved area in Central Illinois with a reliable railroad connection.  In 1873, the GC&S would become bankrupt, and in 1877 would be acquired by IC subsidiary Chicago & Springfield Railroad (C&S).  The C&S was formally consolidated into the IC in 1902, and IC significantly improved the track between Gilman and Springfield, constructing new bridges and realigning the railroad.  Further improvements would be made in 1923, when a segment near Springfield would be double tracked.  By the 20th Century, the IC was a respected railroad, operating an extensive railroad network through the central United States.  Throughout the later part of the 20th Century, traffic on this line began to fall, and the line became more of a connecting line for the railroad.  In 1972, the IC merged with the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad (GM&O) to form the Illinois Central Gulf (ICG).  In 1988, the ICG was reorganized as the Illinois Central Railroad (IC).  In 1998, IC was purchased by the Canadian National Railway (CN).  Today, CN continues to operate this line as the Gilman Subdivision.

Located on the south side of Gibson City, this deck plate girder bridge is the northern of three unusual deck plate girders across Drummer Creek. Built in 1947 to serve a spur to an industry nearby, the bridge consists of a 65-foot deck plate girder, approached by timber pile trestle spans on both side. The entire bridge is set onto timber pile substructures. Bethlehem Steel Company fabricated the main span of the bridge. The main span of the bridge uses four girder lines, which is unusual for spans constructed of new material. It is unknown why this bridge was constructed with four girder lines, although it could possibly indicate the bridge was moved to this location. Deck plate girder spans were popular with railroads throughout the United States, as they provided a simple, durable and easy to construct structure. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair condition, with some deterioration noted throughout the bridge. The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design and unknown history.

Citations

Build date Illinois Central Gulf Illinois Division 1978 Track Profile
Builder Bethlehem Steel Company plaque
Railroad History Citation ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele