James River railway bridge

By 1elcoley

Published: October 6, 2008

MAP: James River
SNAP IT! Post your photos and see photos from the James River.

Slideshow
See highlights of the area surrounding the James River Bridge

Take a river hike
from Boulevard Bridge to Powhite Parkway Bridge [Sept. 2007]

James River Bridge, located between the Boulevard Bridge and the Powhite Parkway. The areas east of the bridge on the south shores of the James are part of the Main Section of the James River Parks System. There are access trails from Riverside Drive, but parking is limited and access to these areas includes crossing railroad tracks and the trails are not maintained for high traffic, so proceed with caution and read the signs. The northern portion of the area is accessed from trails that lead from North Bank Park, and the bridge is in view from Pumphouse Park, though not accessible due to fenced-in CSX tracks.

HISTORY
The railroad bridge was completed in 1919 for the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad, and used by the RF&P and the Atlantic Coast Line, which are now part of CSX.

According to a book by David D. Ryan, “Falls of the James,“ refers to the “majestically arched stone and concrete Seaboard Coast Line Railway Bridge and the remains of the Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad Bridge. The SCL Bridge was opened for rail traffic in 1919; the RF&P Bridge was constructed in 1891 and razed twenty-eight years later.“

Remains of the RF&P bridge are still standing below the arches of the James River bridge. The James River Bridge project was among the earliest major projects to rely on poured concrete, portland cement. Up to that point, railway bridges were made of heavy timbers, iron or stone. In the early 1900’s, concrete was introduced as a new material for bridge construction.

The purpose of the James River crossing was to provide a straight route through Richmond for passenger & perishables trains running between Florida and the Northeast.
[Credit: Times-Dispatch archives, Prestige Series Architectural Models]

What can you do?
• Hiking, swimming, fishing, kayaking, exploring: Visitors need to hike a ways to reach the river, and there is limited access to the property along the way, but the swimming and fishing in this area is peaceful and normally isolated. Kayakers love this area due to the Choo Choo rapids. There is a nice beach right after the rapids and multiple places to stop for a food break or just to relax. These rapids can be run over and over again if you carry your kayak back up the rocks on either side.
• Train-watching: There are plenty of trains crossing the busy bridge, and even along the north and south lines that run along the James River shorline. Bring your binoculars and your camera.

James River Park system:
richmondgov.com/departments/parks/james.aspx