Hawks Nest Railroad Bridge - New River Gorge
by Susan Rissi Tregoning
Title
Hawks Nest Railroad Bridge - New River Gorge
Artist
Susan Rissi Tregoning
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
A view of the old Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad's twin-truss railroad bridge I have always admired from the Hawks Nest scenic overlook. Its unique 45-degree angle design enhances the natural splendor of the Gorge.
Today, the Hawks Nest Railroad Bridge carries CSX Railroad over the New River, but this Parker through Truss Bridge was initially constructed by the C&O Railway.
The original Hawks Nest Bridge, completed in 1872, was a wood truss variant. The wood trusses were replaced with steel trusses in 1892. During the construction of the Hawks Nest hydroelectric power plant and dam, the bridge and its approaches were adjusted to accommodate the higher water level impounded behind it. The reconfigured bridge, completed circa 1930, included the addition of heavy steel girders, removing the walkway on the downstream side, and partially replacing the cut sandstone abutments with concrete with steel reinforcing. It is the bridge seen today.
This was the historic location where the ceremonial driving of the last spike took place for the meeting of the C&O line from Richmond, Virginia, to Huntington, West Virginia, on January 29, 1873. The ceremony was for show as the line had been completed several days prior at a point near Fayette Station elsewhere in the New River valley.
Copyright 2023 Susan Rissi Tregoning
Uploaded
December 20th, 2023
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