North American Railroad Bridges Author:Brian Solomon From the quaint wooden trestle to the graceful arched viaduct, the railroad bridge is a quintessential aspect of North American scenery--and an essential part of the railroading landscape. What railroading image is as classic as a freight or passenger train crossing a wood, stone, or steel structure spanning a river or canyon? — This photographic... more » history pays tribute to the railroad bridge as both an icon of Americana and a marvel of engineering. Author Brian Solomon discusses the major types of construction: viaducts (both stone arches and steel construction), cantilever, suspension, and truss bridges, and explains why certain types of construction suit different situations. He describes the origins and construction of iconic structures such as Hell Gate in Queens, New York, and the Hill Bridge in Minneapolis, and lesser known but no less interesting railroad bridges. Accompanying Solomon’s account are historic black-and-white photos and modern color images depicting railroads large and small hauling traffic over bridges across the continent. Also includes five specially commissioned diagrams.« less