Western Railroad Discussion > BNSF Mojave River Bridge(s) Replacement

In 2020, BNSF & Ames Construction began a project to replace the two railroad bridges that cross the Mojave River at MP 34.1 on the Cajon Sub--between Oro Grande & E. Victorville..  The new bridge is now open for rail traffic & the two older bridges, built in 1914 & 1921, are now trackless and awaiting recycling.

#1  BNSF 7968 is WB on 11 Jan 2020 at project beginning
#2  BNSF 6500 is WB over the new bridge on Main #1  04-06-21
#3  BNSF 5893 is EB over the new bridge on Main #2   04-06-21

More documentation at:   Cajon Pass, BNSF new Mojave River Bridges at East Victorville, CA

GGG & MF

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They should have converted the old bridges into storage sidings.

rgzfan Wrote:
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> I prefer the old bridges.

Agreed

Posted from iPhone

rgzfan Wrote:
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> I prefer the old bridges.

Yea, railroading is looking less railroad-y as time goes on.

Outstanding coverage of the project GGG.
Regards,dK

You like the old bridges until you have to pay to maintain them.


 

NTM the new bridges eliminated any clearance issues for high/wide loads.

I wonder what the solar panel on the old bridge was for?

The abutments were crumbling, the bridges were not earthquake safe. I can see why they were replaced. 
The bridges should be saved and moved to the railroad museum in Perris. Put one of the locomotives they have on each bridge as a display. They will fit right in with all the rusting displays.

bearease Wrote:
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> rgzfan Wrote:
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> > I prefer the old bridges.
>
> Yea, railroading is looking less railroad-y as
> time goes on.

Progress, my friend,  progress! These new bridges should last 100 years.

Santaferuss

ETTS 

New bridge looks good. Always nice to see critical infrastructure being updated.

Posted from iPhone

Uh oh - missed any last shots on the old bridges!

dwatry Wrote:
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> Uh oh - missed any last shots on the old bridges!

I tried to warn everyone last month, at least enough to see the Main 1 bridge still in service.

https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,5220857

I deadheaded on a Z train in the 4th unit a week or so ago. It was the middle of the night and I knew a pic would be terrible. But I took it anyway for posterity. I figured that would be the last time I'd run over that bridge. It was.

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Thanks for the report and photos.
Thruough Truss bridges are vulnerable to being damaged or knocked down by shifted loads.
I spent a miserable week of days and nights at the Medina River, west of San Antonio when a shifted load of bridge timbers knocked down the SP bridge there.
Into the hole the following 20+ tank cars of Sulpheric Acid fell, each one breaking open and poisoning the river for miles.
Artistically they are intriguing, but functionally they are absolutely the last choice of any Engineer.
So now we have the best of both worlds, a fine historic record and a modern railroad infrastructure.