Western Railroad Discussion > Correct Report: Fire destroys one of two BNSF Transcon Bridges

Again, I apologize for posting an incorrect report below. Here is the correct report:  https://www.kwch.com/content/news/Massive-fire-breaks-out-on-BNSF-railroad-bridge-568113301.html  A wood bridge on the BNSF Transcon was destroyed by fire today. The newer, concrete bridge on Main 1, was not affected. 

 

Picture

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Looks like the eastern timber portion of a bridge that spans the Medicine Lodge River east of Kiowa, KS.  The span over the actual river channel is through-plate-girder: https://goo.gl/maps/XCrxoPFukPgcnD8C8

They'll probably have that replaced with a prefab concrete bridge inside of a month. Maybe even two weeks.

Really hard to put the fire out on those creosoted timbers.

So what normally starts a fire on a bridge such as this when there is no prarie fire?  

Milwaukee Wrote:
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> So what normally starts a fire on a bridge such as
> this when there is no prarie fire?  

Homeless folks living under the trestle and cooking/warmth fires!

Mike
 

There's lots of things from the rr standpoint, from sticking brakes-yes composition shoes get red and pieces fall off, to rubbing' dragging parts,not just homeless people. How far from civilization is this bridge?

2720 Wrote:
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> Milwaukee Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > So what normally starts a fire on a bridge such
> as
> > this when there is no prarie fire?  
>
> Homeless folks living under the trestle and
> cooking/warmth fires!
>
> Mike
>  

Already ran two trains over it at 10mph.....

Operating speed is reduced on it to 30-35 MPH.  Sounds like it is usable for the time being at this reduced speed.  It's longterm structural integrity to be yet be determined.