Crossing Copper Creek
June 4, 2009
Filed under Detours
Driving through Clinchport on our way to Jonesville, VA we passed the Copper Creek Railroad Trestles. These double trestles span the Clinch River and are still in use by CSX Transportation.
A scenic marker says the upper trestle was built in 1908 by the Carolina, Clinchfield & Ohio Railway and stands 167 feet over the Copper Creek – Clinch River junction. It used to be one of the tallest railroad bridges in the eastern US and opened up coal delivery from Virginia and Kentucky to cities in the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida. An average of 18 to 24 coal trains still travel over the bridge daily.
The lower bridge was constructed by the Southern Atlantic & Ohio Railroad around 1890 and is currently owned by Norfolk Southern Corporation.
Of course, it just gave us an excuse to climb The Escaper!
Know of cool crossing in your neck of the woods? Leave a comment and let everyone know where to check it out!
