Diversion Channel - Bridge 164.0 - Richardson, MO, MP 164.0 - Bloomfield Branch / Zalma Branch

Discussion in 'Bridges' started by Karl, Dec 31, 2009.

  1. Karl

    Karl 2008 Engineer of the Year Frisco.org Supporter

    On branch lines with low axle loadings, it was common practice to use pile-piers to support steel structures. It was a lower-cost alternative to masonry piers or concrete piers.

    Such was the case for bridge TC164.0, which was located near Richardson, MO, MP 164.0, on the Hoxie Subdivision, Zalma Branch. In this location, 15 piles were driven to support each end of a steel truss, which was a through pin-connected truss (TPCT).

    Absent from the correspondence is the reason why new piers were needed, but suffice it to say by 1930 one or both piers required renewal. It is possible to drive new piles from the existing bridge, but moving the steel truss from its old piers to the new piers required some special work.

    The "problem" was solved with 4 jacks, old 90 lb rail, 1"-rollers, and some bridge stringers. Simply jack-up the bridge, and roll it the 10 feet to its new location, and then jack it down into place.

    The correspondence doesn't say what was used to supply the horizontal force to move the bridge.

    Locomotive?

    Derrick?

    Manual labor with lining bars?

    I wonder if the event was covered by the local newspaper, pictures?

    The rails were removed from the Zalma Branch during 1936, so the bridge renewal was short-lived.

    Edit 2/29/2024: The through pin connected truss was 114'-9 1/2" long. It was to be shifted to the east by 10'-7 13/64" to the new pile piers. The bridge was originally fabricated and erected in 1912.

    The Bloomfield Branch was abandoned between Brownwood, MP 160.9, and Aquilla, MP 170.9 in 1930. This created the Zalma Branch to the north of Brownwood. It too was abandoned between Brownwood, MP 160.9 and Zalma, 169.5 in 1934. Brownwood was the crossing with and connection to the Hoxie Subdivision.

    Information from SL&SF Railroad, River and Cape Division Employee Time Table No 28, Sunday, May 24, 1914, SL-SF Railway, River Division Time Table No 21, July 19, 1924, and the St. Louis - San Francisco Historical Development map.
    MKD
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 29, 2024
  2. yardmaster

    yardmaster Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    Karl, that's a very interesting paper trail. Jog my memory again on your relation to E.L.

    The branch must have still been bringing in money, I suspect, to go to this much effort or what seems like a lot of effort.

    I wonder if any vestiges of this bridge remain?

    Thanks very much for posting!

    Best Regards,
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 29, 2024
  3. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Neat how they did that!

    Ken
     
  4. Jim James

    Jim James Staff Member Staff Member

    Holy cow!

    A new project for my Zalma branch.

    I never knew of this bridge.

    A 95 year old friend of mine, Paul Corbin, has the receipt book from the general store at Richardson. Very interesting.

    Do you have any information on the Castor River bridge between Greenbrier and Zalma?

    I have photos of what's left of it.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 29, 2024
  5. Sirfoldalot

    Sirfoldalot Frisco.org Supporter Frisco.org Supporter

    Jim,

    I think you should model it as an "add-on" to one end of your module as shown with the bridge being moved.

    That would make a very interesting scene with people working on the jacks and pulling on the cables.

    Lots of "action" could be created.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 29, 2024

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