N&W in 1910--Kenova bridge

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The Annual Report for the year ending June 30th, 1913, states:

"The Ohio River Bridge at Kenova, W. Va., consisting of four 300 foot spans and one 521 foot span, has been replaced by a new double track steel structure, eliminating the last section of single track between Williamson and Columbus."

There is no specific date given for the in service date of the new bridge, but the 1912 annual report stated that it was to go into service in the spring of 1913.

Bud Jeffries

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  Subject: N&W in 1910--Kenova bridge


  Bluefield Daily Telegraph
  October 5, 1910

  COAL TRAIN CROSSES BRIDGE EVERY 20 MINUTES
  ------
  Immense Tonnage From Flat Top and Thacker Coal Fields, Which Are Being Worked to Fullest Capacity
      Huntington Advertiser.  A condition now prevails in the Norfolk and Western coal field which certainly stands without precedent in that district, and which has probably never been excelled in any coal mining district in the country.  A prominent Mingo county man who was in Huntington last week, stated that the movement of the coal output of the Norfolk and Western field has come to be a problem of immense proportions.  Seven years ago the work of double-tracking the road in the Williamson district was begun, and this work, aided by the construction of the Big Sandy line has, in effect, given the road two tracks from a point to the east of Williamson to Kenova, and this work is being extended to Columbus.  With the advantages of two tracks over a considerable portion of the line the road is able to make a fair showing in the work of moving the mine products of the Thacker and Flat Top fields, but at present equipment is taxed to capacity, and there is often a shortage in this respect.
      It is stated on good authority that during the past thirty days coal trains of full complement have passed over the Kenova bridge at the rate of one every twenty minutes.  The quality [sic] of coal thus carried is too immense to be easily or accurately conceived.
      Passenger trains are often delayed by the congestion of the tracks by the coal traffic, though the officials make all possible effort to avoid this condition, and to move passenger trains on schedule.
  ------
  [This was on the original single-track bridge, which wasn't strong enough for Mallet locomotives.  The present stronger double track replacement bridge went into service late 1912 to early 1913.]

  Gordon Hamilton


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