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Perry Rail Bridge

Baltimore Through Truss Bridge over Delaware River
Perry, Jefferson County, Kansas

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Perry Rail Bridge
Built By Union Pacific Railroad
Contractor (West Span) American Bridge Company of New York
Contractor (East Span) Virginia Bridge & Iron Company of Roanoke, Virginia
Currently Owned By Union Pacific Railroad
Length 228 Feet Total, 125 Foot Largest Span
Width 2 Tracks
Height Above Ground 15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Baltimore Through Truss
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1905 and 1926
Traffic Count 45 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
UP Bridge Number 52.60
Significance Moderate Significance
Documentation Date September 2016


This unique skewed truss crosses the Delaware River at Perry, Kansas.
This bridge features a pair of riveted Baltimore Through Trusses. The eastern span was built in 1905, and consists of 5 panels. This span is set at a much heavier skew than the other span.
The western span is a smaller 4-panel Baltimore Through Truss, built in 1926. These two spans are set onto concrete substructures.
Photographic evidence shows that the 1926 span was installed after the previous span was destroyed in a flood.
The east span is a typical Union Pacific design. Union Pacific built many similar heavily built trusses during this era. Most were contracted by American Bridge Company of New York.
The differences in trusses are noticeable. The older 1905 truss has more decorative features, while the newer one is much heavier. The bridge is parallel to Bridge Road.

The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the unique back story and combination of trusses seen at this location.
This span is in good condition, and should safely serve railroad traffic for years to come.
The photo above is looking east along the bridge. Because of the nature of this region, good overview photos of the bridge are extremely hard. The author hopes to return for better photos.

Citations

Source Type

Source

East Span Build Date American Bridge Company plaque
East Span Contractor American Bridge Company Plaque
West Span Build Date Virginia Bridge & Iron Company plaque
West Span Contractor Virginia Bridge & Iron Company Plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele