alan polk
1st Lieutenant
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2012
Hey Guys,
I just wanted to canvass the opinions of the folks here regarding railroad bridges during ACW combat operations.
Here's my question: Was it typical for armies to plank a railroad bridge in a way whereas BOTH infantry/rolling stock AND trains could pass? I don't mean to assume that infantry/rolling stock AND trains could access the bridge at the same time. What I'm interested in knowing is did armies plank a railraod bridge so that it was permanent for both infantry/rolling stock and trains? In other words, once a train passed over the river railroad bridge, could the infantry and rolling stock then hop on the "railroad" bridge and cross over without alterations to the bridge?
Some people seem to say that railroad bridges were temporarily planked over by pioneers for the crossing of infantry/rolling stock. Once they crossed, the pioneers would remove the planking so that the passage of trains could occur. Others say that the railroad bridges were planked in a way where the planks did not have to be removed for either infantry, stock or trains. They could cross over whenever each wished.
Anyone know anything about this?
Any help would be appreciated!!
I just wanted to canvass the opinions of the folks here regarding railroad bridges during ACW combat operations.
Here's my question: Was it typical for armies to plank a railroad bridge in a way whereas BOTH infantry/rolling stock AND trains could pass? I don't mean to assume that infantry/rolling stock AND trains could access the bridge at the same time. What I'm interested in knowing is did armies plank a railraod bridge so that it was permanent for both infantry/rolling stock and trains? In other words, once a train passed over the river railroad bridge, could the infantry and rolling stock then hop on the "railroad" bridge and cross over without alterations to the bridge?
Some people seem to say that railroad bridges were temporarily planked over by pioneers for the crossing of infantry/rolling stock. Once they crossed, the pioneers would remove the planking so that the passage of trains could occur. Others say that the railroad bridges were planked in a way where the planks did not have to be removed for either infantry, stock or trains. They could cross over whenever each wished.
Anyone know anything about this?
Any help would be appreciated!!