THE BRIDGE OVER CATSKILL CREEK.
Scientific AmericanApril 26, 1884
The accompanying engraving represents one of the most picturesquely
located bridges on the New York, West Shore, and Buffalo Railway;
it spans Catskill Creek, a small stream flowing from the mountains
and emptying into the Hudson River.
The bridge consists of eight double deck spans, six of which
measure 167 feet each from center to center of end piers, are
26 feet deep, center to center of chords, 20 feet wide, center
to center of trusses, 13 feet, center to center of tracks; the
two end panels are 16 feet 10 inches, and the eight intermediate
panels are each 16 feet 8 inches. There is one span of 103 feet
6 inches between centers of end piers, and 20 feet 11 inches deep;
each of the six panels measures 17 feet 3 inches. The remaining
span is 97 feet 6 inches long and 20 feet 11 inches deep; the
end panels are 17 feet 3 inches; and the four intermediate ones
each 15 feet 9 inches. The actual weight of the six 167-foot spans
is 2,340,000 pounds, or 390,000 pounds per span; the next span
weighs 180,000 pounds, and the third 173,500 pounds; the total
weight of the eight spans being 2,693,500 pounds.
The bridge is proportioned to carry (1) the weight of iron
in the structure; (2) a floor weighing 400 pounds per lineal foot
of track, consisting of rails, ties, and guards only; and (3)
a moving load for each track, consisting of two "consolidation"
engines coupled, each weighing 80 tons, followed by a train weighing
2,240 pounds per running foot. The maximum strains due to all
positions of this live load, and of the dead load, are taken to
proportion all the parts of the structure.
To provide for wind strains and vibrations the top lateral
bracing is proportioned to resist a lateral force of 450 pounds
per foot of span; 300 pounds of this being treated as a moving
load. The bottom lateral bracing is proportioned to resist a lateral
force of 150 pounds per foot. Variations in temperature to the
extent of 150 degrees are provided for.
The bridge was built by Clarke, Reeves & Co., Phoenixville
(Pa.) Bridge Works.
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