Exploring around the Pine street bridge. Catasaqua PA (part 2)

[@lesjones5684]

Very informative 😅

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

Thank you Les.

[@paulbergen9114]

So much good stuff condensed into a relatively small area. I definitely find that intriguing about a private company with a railroad bridge. Not overly common and usually it was the other way where the company had to buy the bridge because they lose their rail connection. There actually is a modest size bridge owned by Dupps Industries in Ohio as they have to run the 6-mile branch to connect to CSX. Far and Away the best industrial Bridge in terms of size discounting Old Logging operations is the one for Buzzi Unicem which runs parallel to i-39 in LaSalle IL. It's pretty healthy in terms of Steel and its height but they have to use a big gate and fence so people don't walk across it. It also has a good bit of History as it's one of the few surviving sections of the old Illinois Central Charter line which ran from Freeport IL South to Cairo IL where the Mississippi and Ohio rivers meet. An interesting Bridge in that photo but it seems so removed from the city in terms of having to walk there as opposed to being able to ride there in a vehicle. Also that is a great retaining wall and how everything is in stacked order Canal roadway and then train tracks. In an older issue of TRP I think Mike Bednar relates the flood because it happened on his birthday. Thanks for all the great info

[@debd.traveler1967]

One happy dog exploring with you. Make sure you bring along treats.😂

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

Good evening Deb. That was the first time we were out in a bit. She was thrilled!!

[@RScesium]

Great video. Thank you!

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

You're very welcome. Thanks for taking interest.

[@keithbednar6814]

Was also a switch on the east end of the bridge that led to a scrap yard down where the sewer plant is located.

[@Learn-more610]

You're right Kevin, the bridge was part of the LNE Catty Branch. It crossed over to the west side of the Lehigh river where there was a switching yard for the Lehigh Valley, Ironton, and Lehigh & New England. On the East side is where the Catty tunnel is, underneath Tunnel Alley. I think the entrances are still visible. 👍👍

[@frankjonathan8043]

Yes, I was wondering if the tunnel is still there.

[@bruceweidner2571]

I read online somewhere if you go to Hartzell's Pharmacy in Caddy the tunnel Inns in their parking lot in the tunnel sealed up with the Jersey barriers but I think if you go on the other side it's filled with dirt and you can there's like a 4-foot opening

[@Learn-more610]

@@frankjonathan8043 Both ends are closed but the portals can still be seen.

[@frankjonathan8043]

@@Learn-more610 TY for that info.

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

@Learn-more610 I just posted some really old pictures of Catasaqua. The LNE bridge used to be a covered bridge! It was shared by everyone. Rail, cart, pedestrian. Absolutely amazing.

[@cheekymonkey444]

The L&NE tunnel is still there. Both ends are blocked but if you go to the end of the Catty American Legion property, you can still see the handrail over top of the tunnel.

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

I'm going to see if I can find it.

[@Keith58x]

There was a shared covered bridge that was on those stone foundations.

[@keithbednar6814]

I believe that is correct as well.

[@nickmad887]

Thank you.

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

You're very welcome Nick.

[@lesjones5684]

Was that a train bridge 😮

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

It was, many years ago my friend.

[@RScesium]

Would this line have gone east to Maybrook?

[@RichardKroboth]

This was a branch line that came off the tracks that came up from Bethlehem. The Catty branch left the line from Bethlehem south of Bath, PA. The mainline to Maybrook was farther north along Blue Mountain. BTW the L&NE bought the Crane RR back in the early 1900s. Don’t remember the exact year but you may be right Kevin about the 1914 date.

[@RScesium]

Thank you!

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

I'm a bit late but it only ran from the Bath area to West Catasaqua I believe.

[@johnnicoline7632]

EmBUTTment 😂

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

I love a nice emButtment lol