What you see here is the brute strength of railroad engineering. Built in the late 1950's when the canal was constructed, this high railroad bridge is a landmark to those familiar with US 66 and the Catoosa/Claremore area.
Above, a side view of this impressive steel truss. Although the field connections appear to have been bolted, all members are of the built-up riveted type, and we call this a riveted through Warren with polygonal top chords. Basically, it is the Warren truss equivalent of the Parker truss.
Below, portal of bridge with traffic. Compression members are built up of plates and angles into a box section, while tension members, depending on loading are built-up H-section or box section, and also entirely of plates and angles.
Above, detail of the connection between inclined endpost and lower chord. Shop connections are riveted, field connections are bolted. This bridge was built in the twilight of the riveted age.
Below, details of hip connections. Notice that, what in earlier times would have been laced is now just a plate, but with holes cut to save material and weight, and to allow acces to the interior of the section during riveting.
Above and below, details of typical upper and lower chord connections.
Below, another side view, this time from a lower elevation. Not many of the "big" railroad bridges in Oklahoma are in use anymore, so it is nice to see this one still in service.
Above, a view as most have probably seen this bridge from the highway.
66-RAILROAD