Louisville Railfanning: A vertical lift bridge in action and drone video of two century old bridges

For this railfan trip, we’re heading 90 minutes southwest to Louisville.
We’ll be focusing on the 14th Street Bridge and the Kentucky and Indiana Terminal bridge, with a little about Norfolk Southern’s Youngtown Yard.
I’ve driven by the 14th Street Bridge many times and always wanted to learn more about it.
It was a Sunday, so I didn’t know if I would see anything come across.
The bridge was in its raised position, but within a few minutes of arriving, I heard a loud siren blast from it.
I figured that meant a train was coming and sure enough it started to lower.
I hurried to get set up and just barely caught this CSX as it slowly made its way across the bridge.
A short time later, I was able to get my drone in the air and pace the train as it crept along.
The bridge is also known as the Ohio Falls Bridge among several others.
The truss drawbridge connects Louisville and Clarksville.
It was originally built in 1870 but was rebuilt around 1919. During the rebuild, the drawbridge replaced the original swing span.
It’s about 60 feet shy of a mile in length. Its longest span is more than 640 feet long and is about 100 feet above the river.
It was built for two tracks and carried double tracks but currently only has one track.
The Louisville and Indiana Railroad purchased the bridge from Conrail in 1994, after buying its line between Louisville and Indianapolis.
The draw span is across the upstream end of the Louisville and Portland Canal. The canal leads to the McAlpine Locks and Dam, which empty near the Kentucky and Indiana Terminal Bridge.
The distant signal to the bridge at the 11th street crossing is a fixed approach, but looks like it was originally designed to show two aspects.
I caught a westbound as it was approaching the Kentucky and Indiana Terminal Bridge. It doubled out and then headed west into Indiana.
Then a CSX local popped its head out for a second but then backed down. I got several pictures of the engine turning the wye a little later but didn’t see what happened with the train.
I grabbed a quick lunch and when I came back there was an eastbound train just sitting there.
A westbound intermodal started to double out and I was able to get some drone video of it and of the bridge.
Finished in 1912, this bridge replaced a previous one built in 1886. It connects Louisville and New Albany.
Not as long as the 14th Street bridge, this one is just over 4,500 feet long. That’s including the approaches though, the actual river span is about 2,400 feet in length.
It has a lane for auto traffic on each side. Originally fitted with a wooden road surface, that was replaced with steel decking in 1952. The northbound lane was closed in 1979 after part of it collapsed because of an overweight dump truck, but supposedly employees are still allowed to use the southbound lane to cross the river.
It was built with a swing span but it only opened twice before being permanently locked down in 1955. The cylindrical pier it sits on is visible toward the Indiana side.
Like the 14th Street bridge, this is also about 100 feet above the river.
The Kentucky & Indiana Terminal Railroad, was owned by the Baltimore & Ohio, Southern and Monon. It was eventually folded into the Norfolk Southern, which now owns also Youngtown Yard.
From Youngtown Yard, cargo makes its way to Evansville, St. Louis and Kansas City.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find much information on the yard. What I could find, says it was used by the Monon as the terminal to its traffic, along with the B & O and Southern. It is a flat track sorting yard, no hump. It does have a roundtable though.
I noticed that the control point between the yard and the bridge is DI Tower. I didn't find any information specifically to Youngtown Yard but it appears that is used elsewhere. I found a mention of it on CincyRails.com.
It says “All trains arriving at Gest Street yard must call "DI" Tower.”
So, I assume it has something to do with yards.
Please let me know if you have more information, I would really appreciate it.
I’ll be back in Louisville soon. We will focus on CSX, as well as the L & N and its history in the city.
For our next trip though, we’re heading northeast to Columbus. We’ll take a closer look at the bridges crossing the Scioto River in Downtown and Norfolk Southern’s Buckeye Yard, as well as, CSX’s Parsons Yard.
I hope you’ll join me. Until then, have a great day.
Here are the sources I found the information contained in this video.
bridgehunter.co...
monon.org/bygo...
industrialscene...
bridgehunter.c...
www.trainweb.or...

[@seven6twomm]

I was just at these locations a few days ago touring around the river bank area on the Indiana side, walking around the bridge piers and checking out the bridge from the bottom looking up. The ariel views here are fantastic and really complete the perspective of the entire bridge span. I have always been fascinated by the vertical lift bridge and like seeing it in operation. Fascinating how 19th century engineering continue to be just as relevant and useful in today's world.

[@superbulldog81]

This is a great video. Nice pictures from above. Thanks for posting!

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you very much, I do appreciate it.

[@MainlightDrone]

I love the great drone footage and narration.

[@tombarnes7196]

What great shots are available with drones! Before, only the birds could see these views... and they aren't posting any KZbin videos.

[@nkyrailfan]

So very true Tom. Drones really do open a whole new world. Have a great day!

[@eottoe2001]

Thanks for sharing this. There is beautiful rail action down there and on the Indiana side. The drone stuff is wonderful.

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you. It is some great rail action!

[@joeysykes8075]

I work for Norfolk Southern out of Youngstown yard with seniority between Burnside KY and Princeton IN. Some info on the Youngstown operations seen here: -The first westbound was 168 -The CSX train was Y128 out of Osbourne yard. He brings cars in, wyes the engine, then takes cars back to Osbourne. -The east bound rack train was 125 -The west bound intermodal was 224, he was shoving a track to cut off Louisville destination cars. -That NS switch engine that you did know what it was doing is DV03 yard job aka H Yard, they are responsible for switching cars from north(west) end of yard.

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you for all the information. I really do appreciate it.

[@Messicrafter]

It is Osborn yard, I am a CSX Conductor based out of Louisville.

[@coryphillips8526]

Good day to you. When I first saw this bridge, the 14th Street bridge, I had to do a double take because it looks like a bridge in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia, PA that crosses the Delaware River into Pennsauken, NJ. That bridge is used by CSX & Norfolk Southern freight trains and also New Jersey Transit's passenger commuter train which runs from 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, PA to Atlantic City, NJ. The bridge has also been in the movie "Transformers rise of the fallen" and "American Ninja Warrior" in 2018 or 2019 maybe.

[@dpratte]

Simply beautiful video.

[@nkyrailfan]

Thanks Dan. I really do appreciate it. I plan on going back soon so I can record the horn from bridge before it lowers.

[@Nethanel773]

NKY Railfam, your videos amaze me! You've covered some areas I never thought of being filmed from above. Good use of narration and trivia, especially during waits. And speeding up video in places to keep pace. I was about to post historical tidbits, and you hit all the points, great work!

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you so much! I really do appreciate it. Please post anything you want. I'm sure I miss quite a lot, so anything can add, I would be thankful for.

[@kcwillsanchannel]

nice catch of the bridge in action. Great control of the drone. If it was me controlling it, it would have crashed in the river. Lol

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you very much, I really do appreciate it. I will say, the drone does most of the work. I just have to pay attention to keep it from hitting things.

[@keithusace4352]

I really enjoyed this as I walked this track many times during my career at the locks and going out to the dam for operations. I retired in 2016 and right before that the cable house was updated with new L& I signs and I was gifted with one of the old original signs and have it hanging in my garage. This sure brings back memories. Also on the right of the bridge down bound is Shippingport island and it has a rich history.

[@michaelsakowich2940]

This is a fantastic video. Great work. I can't believe there are not a LOT more views.

[@nkyrailfan]

Thanks Michael. I really do appreciate it!

[@stevenikitas8170]

Great video and drone work. Something totally different. I love that train bridge with the car lanes on the sides. The video is well researched. It's nice that you focus on the two bridges, rather than showing just train after train.

[@nkyrailfan]

Thanks, Steve, I do appreciate it. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it. I think both bridges are fascinating.

[@awesomeaustin5704]

When I was a kid living in Louisville swing these mighty bridges poking through the morning fog was majestic and creepy in a way

[@hartmutlorentzen9659]

Great video, thanks for presentation, from Germany

[@nkyrailfan]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I hope you have a great day.

[@betsysmith4475]

I love drawbridges all over the 🌎

[@mikehowey4869]

Very cool video! I' ve always wondered what youngtown yard looked like.i've been to csx's osbourne yard a few times.enjoyed every minute of the drone footage!

[@nkyrailfan]

Thanks Mike. I hope to get back to Louisville once the weather warms up and get a little closer to Youngtown and get some video of the other yards in town.

[@jeffreymcfadden9403]

Back in 1980 I went to Mammoth Cave. On the way we stopped at Louisville. We caught a north bound Milw. train in New Albany, just as the locos cleared the K&IT bridge. 4---SD40-2s. A few years later I made it to the K&IT yard and there was Chessie, Southern and K&IT switchers running around. Jogging my memory a bit here. About 1980 L&N had an open house at Strawberry yard. We went . Yard power was and EMD powered ALCO switcher painted in FL paint.

[@jackmoorman6925]

Love the video you are very good

[@nkyrailfan]

Thanks Jack, I do appreciate it.

[@chrisstrange9335]

NKY Railfan: The 14th street bridge was also known as the "Pennsy" bridge . Pennsylvania passenger trains came this way to Union Station especially when it was time for the Kentucky Derby. That is why you see the " Pennsy " key stone sign on the bridge shack. The K&I T bridge, used to be a toll bridge when autos were allowed on it. I can remember this because before they built the Sherman Minton bridge, this was the way my family would have to go to get to Santa Claus Land in Indiana.

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you Chris. I appreciate it.

[@chrisstrange9335]

You're welcome! I was born here and grew up in the L&N passenger years. I could show you some of the original routes that the trains would take. I lived on Lee Street between 2nd & 3rd streets and could watch the freight trains on the east end. The passenger trains ran on Gaulbert Street which was a block to the north of Lee St. This line connected the L&N to go to " CINCY " on the North which was the main freight line, and to the main line on the west side of Lee St. to the south to Nashville and beyond.

[@ryancollins4109]

I may have missed if someone else mentioned it, but one of the railroads you refer to, the Monon, is pronounced "Moe-non" - long O sound. Named for the town in NW-Central Indiana where the lines two mains crossed. I grew up around there. It's a bit north of Lafayette, IN where I went to Purdue. Go Boilers!!!

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you for the clarification, I'll make sure to say it correctly in any future videos. To be honest, I can't say I've ever heard it said out loud, so I just said it how I thought it looked.

[@razrramonel4077]

When the bridge is being raised up, it is so the river traffic can pass through before it is lowered for railroad traffic.

[@user-TheBestRailfan]

That's correct.

[@thomplacier677]

I have 2 videos of that same NS train with the UP units further west in Indiana later that day. That 3rd car is pretty distinctive. Nice drone shots.

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you Thom, I do appreciate it. What part of Indiana did you catch the UP units?

[@thomplacier677]

NKY Railfain , I think it was near Marengo on Wetzel Road. Caught them flying over a trestle and set up later at Trestle Road, but they stopped and the conductor had to walk up to throw the switch manually. I was driving a rental car, a big white Tahoe that probably looked suspiciously like a company car that may have been watching them so they kept a close eye on me. The video is in my KZbin channel called Southern Indiana Summer Trains. I’m more of a modeler than a rail fan when it comes to shooting videos but occasionally put some on my channel. I live in Georgetown, KY.

[@reggiejenkins7707]

Excellent Drone Footage!

[@nkyrailfan]

Thanks Reggie, I do appreciate it.

[@jeffreymcfadden9403]

At 17:34, those 2 concrete lumps are for the toll booths that once stood there. dividing traffic and protecting the workers from drunken motorists.

[@christophercullinan7650]

9:00 I think the reason why the signal that you videoed had the capability for 2 aspects (if your location is where I think it is, by Union Station where the local TARC bus shops are located) is because it was used to service the Union Station side track when the Kentucky Cardinal ran between 1999 and 2003. Given that there are no more regularly scheduled passenger trains utilizing this side track anymore (aside from the occasional Amtrak or RJ Corman Kentucky Derby train), they most likely removed this functionality as a redundancy, as the only trains utilizing the line are L&I local trains and CSX thru-trains to Seymour.

[@nkyrailfan]

That makes sense. It is right next to Union Station, on 11th St., A block south of Broadway.

[@brendencouchman3008]

Very cool! I went to UofL from 1997-2001 and railfanned as much as possible. I wish I would have gotten more photos back then but that was before digital.

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you. It's pretty crazy to think how different things are when it comes to photography these days compared to 10-15 years ago. Now, we don't go anywhere without a camera in our pocket.

[@christophercullinan7650]

Consider yourself lucky, as you would've been able to see the KY Cardinal Amtrak train operating in and around Louisville during that time. Part of me wishes my family had taken me on a train ride on it when it was still working, but I was only 5 when it was discontinued, so I never got to know how it felt to ride passenger rail in Louisville. Quite sad

[@johncombs2990]

The drone footage makes it seem like you're looking down at a giant model railway..

[@cathyoldham7596]

Very nice video. Well done.

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you very much, I do appreciate it.

[@johnstonlarry]

Nice work, thanks

[@nkyrailfan]

Thanks Larry, I do appreciate it.

[@Rebel9668]

I remember crossing that K&I bridge back in the mid '70's. I wish they'd repair the NB lane and re-open it to automobile traffic. I'd love to cross it again. I've seen NS vehicles crossing the one lane that is still undamaged. In fact, when the Sherman-Minton bridge was closed for repairs a few years ago there was talk of re-opening them back then and the local news showed NS trucks crossing on the undamaged lane. In fact here's a video of NS employees driving trucks across it back then in that news article. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGTVn6uNhNGeqM0

[@davenelson-xk6oc]

live on 10th street and the railroad snakes it way around and just pass the old L & N railroad depot and spend lot of time watching trains cross here.. CSX is sending any train over 1200 feet long over this connecting and has done a lot of improvements for the L of I.. the 11 street yard is for the old depot that is now used by TARC bus company and also protect the doulbe track P & L railroad yard tracks just south of the csx connector

[@ryancollins4109]

Also, I don't know anything about CI Tower, but Gest St. yard is in Cincinnati, the main yard for NS, right next to CSX Queensgate Yard. I think you had another drone video I watched about that area, but I hope someone else can chime in as well about the connection between Gest St. in Cincy and this control point, if any. Love your videos, going to get a drone myself for these bird's-eye views - simply awesome!

[@nkyrailfan]

I hope you enjoy the drone when you get it. They really are a lot of fun. Just make sure you always pay attention to what's around you.

[@cjones3710]

Thank ypu reminds me of the bridge bwhind Harbor Park home od the Orioles AAA International.League team the.Norfolk Tides.

[@maxwellwalcher6420]

That's part of the Pennsylvania rr.

[@petervanallen3916]

It’s a vertical lift bridge.

[@davenelson-xk6oc]

ok more history of the l &I bridge area just to the east of the bridge was the B & O passager yard that served the L & N depot and if you go west of the bridge heading west along the canal is the L & I transfer with N & S with the L &I droping and picking up on sunday then the N &S picking up and drop tuesday the tracks run along side the louisville loop bike and hike trail that goes down to the portland pass the K & I office then under the railroad to the end of the K & I bridge

[@JUSAGUYNKY]

Great video! Fun footage and facts! Definitely going in my “Arial Louisville” fav list

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you very much, I do appreciate it!

[@bartdegroot4826]

Love this kind of content, and wondered why ' they' took out one track? due to weight limitations? state of the bridge or is there an other reason that i missing out on?

[@nkyrailfan]

Hey Bart. Thank you very much. As for the missing track, I would assume it comes down to money and maintenance costs. The line isn't busy enough to need a second line across the bridge. So, I'm sure they just got rid of it to cut down on cost.

[@jefferykeeper9034]

The Norfolk Southern does not go to Evansville anymore the line is cut off at Boonville Indiana.

[@nkyrailfan]

Thanks for the info Jeffery, I do appreciate it.

[@danmathers141]

Does the bridge stay up most of the time?

[@nkyrailfan]

The default position for it is to be in the up position. I've spent hours in the area without it coming down. However, I'm told the line has seen increased traffic, so hopefully it's getting more use.

[@davenelson-xk6oc]

next time your in town love to talk to you and take along tracks by the L & I bridge and talk to you about what history i know

[@nkyrailfan]

I'll let you know when I'm heading to Louisville again and we can meet up for sure

[@Some_have_more_of_a_horn_noise]

Horn noise

[@Rebel9668]

Just to help you in the future, Monon is pronounced as Moe-Nahn.

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you. I should have double checked before saying it in the video.

[@easley420]

Are you the one with the drone at the bridge during the cable change recently

[@nkyrailfan]

No, that was not me. What you see in the video is the only time I have been to the bridge.

[@easley420]

@@nkyrailfan ok thank you was hoping to get the video