1.3 mile bridge sold for a $1.00 to bank swindler

[NYC_George]

I found this story to be an interesting one. In 1974 the state of Connecticut forced Conrail to acquire the New Haven Maybrook line which included the Poughkeepsie 1.3 mile 212 foot high railroad bridge. The bridge for the time was over built and used the best steel possible because Andrew Carnegie was a share holder in the project. In 1886 it was the longest railroad bridge in the world. In 1976 Conrail sold the bridge to a convicted felon bank swindler for a $1.00. It wasn’t until 6/4/98 that Dutchess & Ulster counties took over the bridge for none payment of taxes and deeded it over to the nonprofit Poughkeepsie Highland Railroad Bridge company. After receiving many donations to save the bridge in 2007 New York State got involved and the project became a 25 million dollar one. The grand opening of the pedestrain walkway bridge is set for November of 2009. Below is a link to a photo of the bridge. In 1886 it had to be the 8th wonder of the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Poughkeepsie_Bridge_115997.jpg

NYC_George

 

[UP2CSX]

Wow, that would be one heck of a bridge to walk over. I'm glad it's getting saved, even if it's no longer engaged in it's useful work of railroading.

 

[NYC_George]

bridge videos

There are two videos on the subject for those interested. One is of I guess a New York state official talking to the news about the project and the other is my uncle's video the day they had the ceremonial walk over I think in October 2007.

Both videos are good if you should live around the project NY, CT & NJ and want to visit the NYS state park when completed in November 2009.

My uncle’s video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOy1J0W_fzs

NY state official talking on the bridge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eK1i2vPvrqs

NYC_George

 

[UP2CSX]

Whoa, that's a little too high up and a little too windy to have gotten me out there that day. I'd be hanging on to those railings for dear life too.