Howdy all. Back in February of this year the Moutain Quarries Railroad bridge was added to the list of National Historic Places. In July there was a plaque placement and ceremony. I've just added a page for this event that includes a couple pics I've taken of the site and the Auburn Journal newspaper's article. Come on by and check it out and enjoy!!!
I'd never heard of that arch bridge. Interesting a short line would have the world's largest of something like that? What is the bridge that I can see in the photo, high up at upper left? Boxcab E50
Very cool. It deserves this very much. The bridge in the upper left is the Foresthill highway bridge, the tallest in Northern California, I believe, at nearly 800' above the river...John may know more. Lots of fascinating stuff in that canyon. Just downriver from the bridge is a half-built foundation for a dam that would have been bigger than Hoover, but barely got off the ground when it got caught up in heavy red tape. No Hands bridge would have been under 500 feet of water.
"No Hands" is definately a neat bridge. Survived two floods that wiped out both the bridges upstream in 1964 and the coffer dam downstream in 1996ish. Had to be used for regular auto traffic till new bridges could be built. The interpretive sign at "No Hands" states that the historical status will not save the bridge should the Auburn Dam ever be built. Yes, the large bridge in the background is the Foresthill bridge. As Derek mentioned, it is tallest in California. This bridge has been used in many a tv add and also was featured in the Vin Diesel flick, XXX. This bridge was built to cross the new lake that would have been formed had Auburn Dam been built. Very interesting to have the longest cement arch bridge at the time and the tallest bridge in CA all in the same little spot. Last news for the dam though is no go. In fact the site has been recently redeveloped into a park area and it is planned to restore the river to its normal path any time now. Currently the river flows through a diversion tunnel underneath the dam site. Most of the row for the MQRR is still intact (except where the dam would've stood) but the trestles are all gone. Nice little walk if anyone ever comes this way. Stay tuned for more pics, etc of this RR coming in the future.
