02-20-2009, 01:16 PM
In addition to what Dr Wayne said, I think they would have supported the ties and thus the rails and trains with all four of those logs under the ties, probably two at or near each end of the ties and two more directly underneath the rails. I also think the those bents at each end would have required a lot more bracing in all directions, and if they were at the end of the bridge, the railroad would have used concrete or stone abutments. I agree with Dr Wayne that it would make a very nice vehicle bridge. It might be a bit narrow for a highway, but we have quite a few houses out here in California that have a driveway spanning a wash or creek that would use a bridge like that one between the road and the garage. I suspect that there are similar bridges used in driveways or on back roads in Appalachia, but I don't know for sure.