Rosendale Trestle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rosendale Trestle |
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The trestle, photographed in April 2011
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| Carries | Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, formerly Wallkill Valley Railroad |
| Crosses |
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| Locale | Rosendale, New York, United States |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Post truss |
| Material | Steel |
| Total length | 940 feet (290 m) |
| Width | 6 ft (1,829 mm) (broad gauge) |
| Number of spans | 9 |
| Clearance below | 150 feet (46 m) above the water |
| History | |
| Constructed by |
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| Fabrication by | Carnegie Steel Company |
| Construction begin | 1870 |
| Construction end | 1872 |
| Inaugurated | April 6, 1872 |
The Rosendale Trestle is an amazing bridge in Ulster County, New York. It was finished in 1872. This super long bridge stretches 940 feet (about 287 meters) across the Rondout Creek. It also crosses New York State Route 213 and used to go over the old Delaware and Hudson Canal.
Today, the Rosendale Trestle is part of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail. This means it's a popular path where people can walk, run, and bike. It offers awesome views from 150 feet (about 46 meters) above the water!
Contents
Building the Rosendale Trestle
The Rosendale Trestle was built a long time ago, starting in 1870 and finishing in 1872. It was made to carry trains for the Wallkill Valley Railroad. Imagine trains rumbling across this huge steel structure!
Who Built It?
Several companies worked together to build this impressive bridge. These included A. L. Dolby & Company, Waston Manufacturing Company, and the King Bridge Company. The steel for the bridge was made by the Carnegie Steel Company.
Bridge Design and Materials
The Rosendale Trestle is a type of bridge called a Post truss. This design uses a pattern of triangles to make the bridge strong and stable. It's made of tough steel, which was a very modern material for bridges back then. The bridge has 9 sections, called spans, that connect its different parts.
From Trains to Trails
For many years, the Rosendale Trestle was a busy railroad bridge. Trains carried goods and people across it. But over time, trains stopped using this route.
A New Purpose
Instead of letting the old bridge fall apart, people decided to give it a new life! The Rosendale Trestle was fixed up and opened again in 2013 as part of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail. Now, it's a fantastic place for outdoor activities.
Enjoying the Views
When you walk or bike across the trestle today, you can see amazing sights. You'll get a great view of Joppenbergh Mountain and the beautiful Rondout Creek flowing below. It's a perfect spot to enjoy nature and get some exercise.
Images for kids
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The original Wallkill Valley rail line, stretching from Montgomery to Kingston
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The railroad bridge as it was originally built, prior to its 1895 reconstruction
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The trestle, spanning the former Delaware and Hudson Canal, as well as Rondout Creek
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Hikers on the re-opened trestle
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View from the trestle of Joppenbergh Mountain (left), NY 213 (center), and Rondout Creek (right)
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An engineer from Bergmann Associates surveying the trestle in late 2010
