Mike & Jackies - 2009 - All Rights Reserved
| The Contoocook rail bridge is located east of NH Rt. 103 in Contoocook Village, New Hampshire and spans the Contoocook river. The main trusses are double Town lattice and are continous over a central pier to form two spans of approximately 71 ft each. It's been often said they were built by the mile & cut off by the yard. The center pier is skewed to match the river flow, as are the abutments. The model differs here slightly so it can be placed at any angle. The bridge is the oldest of four surviving double Town lattice rail bridges. This type of rail bridge uses vast amounts of lumber of lumber, but was practical in New England and the northwest due to the abundance of wood and the lack of iron. It was built by the Concord & Claremont RR in 1849-50, was acquired by the Boston & Maine RR in 1887, and underwent major recunstruction in 1889. The bridge was washed off its foundations during floods in 1936 and again in 1938. Each time it was saved from washing down stream by the rails of the track. The rail line was abandoned in 1962, and the bridge was used as a warehouse by a local merchant until 1990 when it was given to the New Hampshire Division of Historic Resources. Today it is used as a pedestrian bridge. This model was built from photos & descriptions as well as the HAER engineers report and drawings, which lends to very high accuracy of detail. It is constructed of wood with a shake roof of hand split 50 year old cedar and painted barn red. The bridge is 1/48 scale and is fitted with Lionel O-gauge three rail track. At this time it is one of a kind. |
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| Contoocook Railroad Bridge WGCB 29-07-07 2 |