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Cincinnati, Ohio, circa 1906. "New pumping plant on Ohio River." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.
The bridge isn't "standard" gauge but is instead about 5 foot between the rails. It was there to allow a special flat car to pull up at the siding (long since gone) and easily offload work equipment and supplies onto a small railcar which would carry the heavy items into that part of the plant.
from one side then the other.
[Terra cotta, they liked a lotta. - Dave]
What is the large wooden structure off to the left? Two tracks descend from the TOP of the building to the river. Some sort of barge drop? Looks like an old ice house of sorts, but likely isn't. Coal storage?
is for a hopper to coal the boiler inside.
Still there, although it must be nearly invisible from the road because of tree growth. The terra cotta must be impressive.
This website has a nice description of the Cincinnati Water Works complex, including the reason the little Intake building was on the Kentucky side. The website lists the bridge's function as "Maintenance Access," and also has many photos of what the site looks like today. More trees now, other than that mostly the same.
"The complex consists of the pumping station on the Ohio side, an 85 foot deep shaft containing a huge steam pump, a tunnel beneath the river and the intake "castle." By the way, these coal fired steam pumps were in use until the 1960s and they are still there. They are some of the largest steam pumps ever construction. The Society of Industrial Archeology has visited and written up these pumps. It used to be possible to arrange for tours [to see the pumps] before 9-11 but no more; although the SIA did get in after 9-11. The intake was situated on the Kentucky side because the water works was built before the navigation locks and dams were put in. They had to have a nice deep spot where there was a good depth of water during all seasons and the channel ran along the Kentucky bank and that's where the deep water was. Normal pool stage at Cincinnati is 26 feet on the gage."
The was taken from the Kentucky side of the Ohio. The buildings are still there.
"Who's there?
"Loco."
"Loco who?"
What's the function of this bridge thing? The tracks seem to stop at the barricade, so what ran on the tracks?
... when under the tree I found a bright red metal case holding my first Erector set, complete with electric motor. What a great toy that was!
What craftsmanship and skill it took to design and construct that tile roof with the spiral courses that wind up the cone. Wow. And the angle is mirrored on the flatter roofing as well. I can't wait for more comments that may answer a multitude of questions I have about this place. Wonderful photograph!
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