Current River Bridge at Big Spring

Discussion in 'Willow Springs Subdivision' started by PAC MAN, Feb 4, 2013.

  1. PAC MAN

    PAC MAN Member

    Does anyone know what type of bridge crossed the Current River at Big Spring? I know there were 3 sets (at least) of round concrete pillars side by side going southeast across the river. One of the pillars has what looks like 2 pieces of rebar sticking vertically out of the top. Was there any superstructure or was there just steel or wooden beams with ties and rail? I am recreating the bridge and am needing info or photos of it for historical accuracy. I am also aware that there was a wooden trestle system from the main berm to the first pillars at the river's edge. I want to say that this part of the bridge was somewhere around 60 yards or so. The east berm of the bridge on the Hunter side is a mystery. Any information would be helpful.
     
  2. RogerRT

    RogerRT Staff Member Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    I've heard there is a picture of this bridge in some book but I have never seen it, can't remember which book but if I find out I'll update this post. I did see a picture of of the construction crew working on the Chinese wall just north of Chicopee when the line was being constructed, it was in a book in the West Plains library on Carter County. Both sides of the bridge had timber approaches to the main steel portion. If you travel on the road on the east side of the river you can see the cut-down wooden pilings in the winter time. Have you been to Club House yet? That is really something with the rock bluffs on one side and the Current River on the other.

    Roger

    01-(a) Westbound Along Current River 1-14-09.jpg 01-(b) Eastbound Along Current River 1-14-09.jpg
     
    FriscoCharlie likes this.
  3. PAC MAN

    PAC MAN Member

    Thanks. I haven't been to Club House yet. I plan to in the near future. Not a part of the line that I have explored. The pictures look great though. I have been looking for some time for a picture of that bridge but it has eluded me so far. I really enjoy finding new parts of the line that I haven't seen before. Must be an Indiana Jones thing??? I have been planning to drive to the wye north of Hunter and photo that area. I also read in a book this week that they were trying to get the roadbed from Big Spring to Chicopee named to the national register of historic places. However there was a hangup with that since the track has been removed. Not sure if that will happen or not but would be an excellent place for new track and a current river train set being as close to the spring and park as it is. Time will tell...
     
  4. PAC MAN

    PAC MAN Member

    Is that a public or private road? And is that a private residence. Would like to drive that road in a few weeks.
     
  5. RogerRT

    RogerRT Staff Member Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    It's public, but it's back in there a ways, I would recommend taking a truck, a low clearance car will probably bottom out on the last 4-miles. I've got a S10 Blazer w/o 4-wheel drive & I made it just fine. Take HWY 60 east to State HWY PP (about 10-miles east of Van Buren), take a right & go about 1/2-mile to County Road 60-221, take a right and go about 4-miles to the Current River. When you go by the club house & start down the hill you know you are getting close, the ROW crossed the road at the bottom of the hill. From there you can go either north along the river or south up Copper Holler to Hunter. I've only gone north along the river so I don't know what the conditions to the south are but from here I would suggest either walking, ATV or a bike with good off-road tires. I drove it, big mistake, the road is so rough I could only do about 5mph & about a mile into it I abruptly ran into Chalk Bank Creek which can only be crossed by a pedestrian bridge or an ATV to the north of the bridge. Attached is a photo of the bridge, a 4-wheel drive with a winch might be able to make it, I let you be the judge of that. Just remember this is a very remote area, there is no cell service & you are miles from anywhere so if you get stuck it will cost you dearly in time & money. I managed to back up about 500' and in the 1st photo in my previous post you can see a little wide spot, that is were I turned around, not something I recommend. But it was definately worth the effort, this is probably the most scenic part of the line with the high rock bluffs on one side & the Current River on the other. Looking at the ariel photos after crossing the Chalk Bank Bridge you could probably make it all the way to Chilton. If you make it down that way let us know how it went.

    Roger

    BTW, the residence on the hill is the new Club House, the old one burned down in the 70's(?)
     

    Attached Files:

  6. PAC MAN

    PAC MAN Member

    Sounds like an adventure. When I go I will take pics. Will have to catch a good sunny winter day with dry roads I think.
     
  7. Agt-Opr

    Agt-Opr Member

    There is a picture of the bridge over Current River being repaired after flood damage. I assume that is the bridge that the Current River RR used.

    [​IMG]

    Photo of remaining bridge pillars

    [​IMG]


     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 15, 2015
    FriscoCharlie likes this.
  8. pathowe

    pathowe Member

    RogerRT likes this.
  9. timothy_cannon

    timothy_cannon Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Would have been great to watch this train cross that bridge!
    F s 158 Short Station.jpg
     
  10. RogerRT

    RogerRT Staff Member Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    I knew there was a photo of this bridge!!! I can't tell which side of the river it was taken, both sides had a curve & a lot of trestle work leading up to the bridge. Looks like 3-4 sets of double concrete piers supporting it, only 2 sets are still standing today. Pat, do you have a link to the Facebook page? Roger
     

Share This Page