Alabama is home to many historic bridges, including several that were once used for trains. One of these bridges is the Old Railroad Bridge, which leads to nowhere. To learn all about this historic railroad bridge, take a look below.
The Old Railroad Bridge is a historic railroad bridge in Sheffield, Alabama that’s located on the beautiful Tennessee River.
google/Megan Thornton
Dating all the way back to around 1840, this historic bridge is on the oldest bridge site in the state and was once a toll booth for trains and wagons. It was eventually destroyed during the Civil War.
google/Jay Patterson
The Memphis & Charleston Railroad decided to build another bridge at this location in 1870. The upper deck was used for trains and the lower deck for vehicles.
google/Lacey Davis
Due to the opening of O’Neal Bridge, vehicles stopped using the Old Railroad bridge in 1939. Trains stopped using it in 1988.
google/Barry Pickens
In 1962, a lift bridge segment was added to the Old Railroad Bridge to allow tall ships to pass through. When trains stopped using the bridge in 1988, this particular segment was removed.
google/Eddie’s World View
Today, the lower deck that was once an important way to get people across the Tennessee River is a pedestrian bridge. Visitors are able to walk approximately 1,500 feet before having to turn around at the missing segment.
flickr/Brent Moore As you can see, with the missing segment at the end, the Old Railroad Bridge truly is a bridge that leads to nowhere.
Have you ever visited the Old Railroad Bridge in Sheffield, Alabama? If so, what did you think about it? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
google/Megan Thornton
google/Jay Patterson
google/Lacey Davis
google/Barry Pickens
google/Eddie’s World View
flickr/Brent Moore
As you can see, with the missing segment at the end, the Old Railroad Bridge truly is a bridge that leads to nowhere.
Another bridge to nowhere in Alabama that might interest you is Hell’s Gate Bridge in Oxford. For information, be sure to take a look at the following article: Most People Don’t Know The Story Behind Alabama’s Abandoned Bridge To Nowhere.
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Address: Old Railroad Bridge, Sheffield, AL 35660, USA
