Edit – I’ve updated with additional videos. I will continue to do so as I find more.
Some of the above videos are from the Farewell Talbot Avenue Bridge YouTube channel. There are many more available there! Enjoy.
July 5th Talbot Ave Bridge Demolition Photos
Good friend Greg C. stopped by the Talbot Ave site yesterday to see what was going on. Well, the bridge was being hooked up to the crane for removal and wow, the site looks different. It’s a bit heart wrenching to see this landmark being removed, but nice to know it’s not being sliced up and destroyed altogether. Unfortunately the actual removal was not captured (it likely happened later in the day) but this will give you a very good idea of what the scene looked like.
You can view the photos here in my Gallery.
Talbot Ave Bridge Update
I expect there will be more of these, but in the interest of keeping everyone informed, Greg forwarded an email this morning with updates on the status of the historic Bridge:
From: talbot-avenue-bridge-events@googlegroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, June 5, 2019 1:12 AM
Subject: Talbot Avenue Bridge demolition beginsToday, a little after 7am, Talbot Avenue Bridge closed. By midday clamps had been attached to the girders and steel extensions, in preparation for later removal by crane. By the end of the day, the wood edging along either side of the Bridge had begun to be removed.
If you would like to view the demolition process, best viewing is on the 4th Avenue side of the Bridge (North Woodside).
The removal of the girders could happen soon, i.e within the next week and as soon as the end of this week. Purple Line continues, however, to wait for flaggers from CSX, without which this aspect of the demolition cannot proceed.
Modern CSX Loco on GB Siding
This video of a folk song being performed at a recent celebration of the Talbot Ave bridge (slated for demolition tomorrow) has a neat shot of a CSX loco sitting on the Georgetown Branch lead, which I would wager is a rare sight.
Talbot Avenue Bridge_Train Song from Brigitte Yuille on Vimeo. The view is right at the 56 second mark. (Thanks, Greg!)
Talbot Ave Bridge Candle Light Vigil and Demolition UPDATED
UPDATE 2: FYI, according to Purple Line Transit Constructors, the Talbot Avenue Bridge will close this coming Tuesday (June 4).
A Candlelight Vigil will be held on the Bridge the evening before (Monday, June 3).
UPDATE: This has been postponed until further notice, due to a delay in the demolition schedule.
Demolition is slated to begin this Friday, May 17, 2019. There is a candle light vigil planned for tomorrow night. Here are the details:
From: Talbot Avenue Bridge <talbotavenuebridge100@gmail.com>
As many of you know, the Bridge will close for demolition this Friday, May 17 at 7am. The evening before neighbors and friends of the Bridge are invited to an informal gathering on the Bridge to mark this transition. As the sun sets and the candle lights brighten enjoy a final moment in this historic space with other members of our community.
What: Talbot Avenue Bridge Candlelight VigilWhen: Thursday, May 16
7:30-8:00 pm – Gathering time, informal meet & greet, group photos
8:00-8:30 pm – Sharing of reflections and stories related to the Bridge
Bring: Lantern (optional)
Note: It has not yet been confirmed when the Bridge’s demolition will begin, but supposedly community members will be informed in advance. A lot of the demolition is likely to take place late at night, when MARC trains are not running. A large crane will be brought in to hoist the girders which weigh 11,000 lbs each. Interesting factoid: The girders were fabricated from an overturned recycled B&O railroad train turntable.
May 17 Demolition Date Set For Talbot Ave. Bridge
Looks like we have a date for the demolition of the historic Talbot Avenue bridge. If you would like to experience this historic structure, time is of the essence. It will survive for only a few more weeks. Thankfully the main beams of the bridge (perhaps the only part of it original to the 1918 structure) are slated to be preserved and placed along the Capital Crescent Trail.
Rock Creek Trestle Demolition Update
East Side of Rock Creek Trestle is No More
Greg C. visited the Rock Creek site this past Tuesday morning and witnessed the missing wooden trestle. It’s gone! :'( This marks the end of an era, the bridge having stood since 1892 has finally gone down. A new pair of bridges will replace this one, carrying the Purple Line rapid transit and the Capital Crescent Trail across the valley at about half the height of the original trestle. RIP.
A photo from the Friends of Forest Glen Facebook group shows the demolition in progress. If only I could have gotten up there to measure those timbers. :'(
Rock Creek Trestle Demolition Progress
View is west, standing on the northern side of the right of way. The Creek and the trestle are behind the crane. Sadness.
Georgetown Local, April 1982
April 23, 1982. The Georgetown Local is heading down the Branch toward Georgetown and has just crossed River Road in Bethesda. B&O EMD GP38 3848 (blt 1967) is on point. From an eBay auction I recently won, photographer unknown. Note the graffiti on the nose which I assume reads “RADIO EQUIPPED.”