Thames River Bridge in Connecticut

Posted on 2008-Jun-11 at 11:48 PM

Yesterday I had the pleasure of taking the Amtrak train down to New London from my home in Rhode Island to meet up with my Amtrak pal Richard. He drove me to some really choice spots to shoot the Thames River railroad bridge. An historic event is about to take place this coming week when they replace the century old cantilever style bridge with a 62 million dollar lift bridge. Over forty trains a day move across this bridge and this is the first time it will be shut down for a number of days to all train traffic!
Here is a slide show of my pictures from yesterday. I only chose one for redbubble.

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Bridges

Posted on 2008-Jun-12 at 4:49 AM by Chandramoon

There's something very special about images of bridges - the idea of crossing over from one side to the other, moving on, getting somewhere, leaving somewhere........whatever it is .. they are very attractive to human beings!

Jeeps replies:
I agree Chandra!
Also, I love the play of light and shadows, the grandness of the structures, and the interaction of the related shapes in space.

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Posted on 2008-Jun-12 at 6:05 AM by itsmylife

Those are some great pictures! I used to live in Groton on the east side of the river. They had to delay the closing by two days... http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=b3e...638bcbb841
Here's a story about it.

Jeeps replies:
So that is right in your old turf eh?
I used to work down at the Union Station so I spent lots of time down there myself. I used to love seeing Groton from the west side of the river each day.
Thanks for the link to the New London Day!

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Posted on 2008-Jun-12 at 8:20 AM by readerwil

That's a very good slide show! It looks a bit like Holland with all the bridges!

Jeeps replies,
Thanks Ma!
Glad you like it.... someday Holland will be on my list too!

Great Comments

Posted on 2008-Jun-12 at 9:49 AM by jeeps

Chandra, reader, itsmylife,
Thanks for your great comments.

The work on this trestle is of great importance historically, and has significant impact on thousands of travelers both on the train and those using the waterways.

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Posted on 2008-Jun-12 at 5:17 PM by logis

Nice bridge although i must say that nothing can be compared with the golden gate bridge when the sun goes down.

Jeeps replies:
That might be true if I were making comparisons.
I've been on all of them at one time or another.
But seldom do you get under them.

Up in the middle?

Posted on 2008-Jun-13 at 10:08 AM by drdog

Does that bridge lift vertically in the middle, so boats can pass? We have a bridge like that in Houghton, MI. A lot shorter length, though.

Jeeps replies:
I believe the original design is called bascule.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bascule...ule_bridge
For over a hundred years it has used counter weights
to break in the center for the boats and submarines
that are built there in Groton.
The new design is replacing this with a lift style bridge
as you can see the towers in the photo.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lift_br...ift_bridge

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Posted on 2008-Jun-13 at 10:16 AM by lisalisabobisa

Very nice photos. I have never taken Amtrak but I think it would be enjoyable to take a day trip somewhere on the train.

Jeeps replies:
You should just do it lisa!
I've been on lots of trains out there in California.
The Surfliners from LA to San Deigo are great for scenic.
San Joaquin trains up the Valley are a good trip too.
Kids love trains... take them along for a real memorable time.

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Posted on 2008-Jun-14 at 1:11 PM by kinnigurl

Great shots of the bridge Jeeps! Our city has many cool bridges and I always want to get out there and take some good photos. I never seem to have the time, but it is something I am going to get to one of these days.

Jeeps replies:
Your day is coming Kinni...
in the meantime do what you do girl!

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Posted on 2008-Jun-18 at 6:53 PM by Somepoet

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