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| Name | BNSF Little Walnut River Bridge Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Bridge #209A |
| Built By | Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway |
| Currently Owned By | BNSF Railway |
| Superstructure Contractor | American Bridge Works of Chicago |
| Length | 176 Feet Total, 108 Foot Main Span |
| Width | 1 Track |
| Height Above Ground | 15 Feet (Estimated) |
| Superstructure Design | Pratt Through Truss and Timber Pile Trestle |
| Substructure Design | Concrete and Timber Pile |
| Date Built | 1897 |
| Traffic Count | 10 Trains/Day (Estimated) |
| Current Status | In Use |
| Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Bridge Number | 209A |
| BNSF Railway Bridge Number | 209.0 |
| Significance | Moderate Significance |
| Documentation Date | 10/29/2017 |
In 1877, the Florence, El Dorado and Walnut Valley Railroad Company completed 29 miles of new railroad, extending from Florence, Kansas to El Dorado, Kansas. An additional 24 miles from El Dorado to Douglass, Kansas was completed in 1881, followed by an additional 19 miles from Douglass to Winfield, Kansas. The railroad was leased by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad in 1888, and was merged into its successor, the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway (ATSF) in 1901. The ATSF had acquired and constructed a large number
of railroad lines throughout the western United States, particularly in
Kansas and Oklahoma. A portion of this line served as one of the principal mainlines
of the ATSF, providing a direct connection between the mainlines at Florence, El Dorado and Winfield. The Florence to El Dorado segment of this line was abandoned in 1942 in favor of the more direct route between El Dorado and Ellinor. The ATSF would merge with Burlington Northern Railroad in 1996 to form BNSF Railway, the current owner of this line. Today, BNSF operates the Augusta to Winfield segment as the Douglass Subdivision.
Located near Douglass, this small through truss bridge crosses the Little Walnut River. The previous bridge at this location was likely a timber truss bridge. In 1897, the ATSF replaced several timber truss spans throughout their system, including this bridge. A 108-foot, 5-panel pin-connected Pratt through truss span would be installed on concrete piers, and timber pile trestle spans approaching each end. The truss utilizes a lattice portal and lightweight members, typical of ATSF bridges from this era. This particular design was used at a number of locations, likely as part of the same order from American Bridge Works. Few alterations have been made to the bridge since initial construction, other than minor repairs to the joints of the truss. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to good condition, with little significant deterioration noted. The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the truss design.
Citations
| Build date | Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Bridge Records; Part of Railroad & Heritage Museum Fred M. and Dale M. Springer Archive; Temple, Texas |
| Builder | Engineering News and American Railway Journal; Volume 38, Issue 27 |
| Railroad History Citation | ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele |