Friday, November 23, 2012

Railroad Bridge at Four Mile Creek and Water Street

Steps to the New York Central Railroad tracks at Four Mile Creek. Photo ©Debbi Lyon 2012.
This railroad bridge on Water Street near the General Electric Plant in Lawrence Park Township has been covered with graffiti for as long as I can remember. The bridge was built in 1865. I took this photo in the late eighties.

The stairs used to lead to the New York Central Railroad tracks before an iron bar was welded on to block access to the steps. The New York Central roundhouse and repair shop used to be located just east of this bridge. The old roundhouse had twelve bays to repair trains.

Fishermen often cast a line over the cement wall. Fourmile Creek is now posted with 'No Trespassing' signs just north (left in this photo) of this bridge. If you look over the edge of the wall after a rainstorm you'll often see raging, muddy water. On a hot summer day, the creek runs at a trickle.

There is a footbridge just north of here that you can use to cross over the creek; it comes out at Bell Street and Napier Avenue.

3 comments:

  1. I lived @3923 Bell St from 1954-1969. Used this bridge many times. GE ran there trains right behind out house :( I do up to Erie 2 times a year and seen the difference in this area.

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  2. Well anonymous...I'm curious to know who you are. I grew up @ 3933 Bell St. The Yount family.

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  3. There was also a coal tipple just to the East of this bridge.

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