The initial question about why Bridge 60 is called Bridge 60 has gotten me looking into the archives and other resources at Steamtown. While I have not been able to find the "silver bullet" answer to this question (a list detailing each of the bridges from 1 to the last one) I have found some references to bridges. One source I have found are Bunnell's photos, where he used the bridge numbering system. He has photos of bridges in and around Scranton (60, 62, 64, 66, 67, and 68). Bridge 79 is listed as 2 miles east of Henryville, while bridges 81 and 82 are listed "West of Analomink". I am sure a review of other photos by Bunnell might turn up other bridge numbers. In addition to these photos we have engineers field books dating from the 1890s to the 1920s. Many of them dealt with surveys and work related to the cut-off north of Scranton. Bridges are noted in these field books both by bridge number and some by mileage. Bridge 29, for example is listed near Alford, PA. It appears that the bridge numbering system was done in the early 1900s, perhaps as part of the initial assessment of the line by the Truesdale administration. I suppose it made more sense numbering the bridges than using their location on the main line since it appears there were plans to improve the line, thus changing the mileage. I predict other parts of the DL&W had similar bridge numbering systems. The only reason we know Bridge 60 is called Bridge 60 is because the tower kept the name, thus spurring the current interest. It would be an interesting research project to come up with a list and location of the bridges. I wish I had the time. If anyone would like to come to Steamtown and do the research, I think we have the information buried in our archives. Patrick McKnight Historian/Archivist Steamtown NHS 570-340-5193 We need history, not to tell us what happened or to explain the past, but to make the past alive so that it can explain us and make a future possible.-Alan Bloom The Erie Lackawanna Mailing List Sponsored by the ELH&TS http://www.elhts.org ------------------------------
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