Moodna Viaduct
Encyclopedia
The Moodna Viaduct is an iron railroad trestle
spanning Moodna Creek
and its valley at the north end of Schunemunk Mountain
in Cornwall
, New York
, near the village of Salisbury Mills
. The bridge was constructed between 1904 and 1908 by the Erie Railroad
as part of the Graham Line and was opened for service in January 1909. The trestle spans the valley for 3,200 feet (975m) and is 193 feet (59 m) high at its highest point, making it the highest and longest railroad trestle east of the Mississippi River
. The open design of the trestle was used to reduce wind resistance and is a major reason why the trestle is still in service today. The viaduct crosses Orrs Mills Road north of the creek and Otter Kill Road south of the creek.
Currently, the viaduct
carries Metro-North
's Port Jervis commuter line
and Norfolk Southern freight trains. The Metro-North Salisbury Mills-Cornwall station
sits near the north end of the viaduct. In summer 2007, timber
replacement on the viaduct caused delays on the line due to slow orders placed on it, and required that service be halted during weekend days. As of October, 2009, repairs were underway to several of the concrete piers; traffic remains uninterrupted.
It is also a tourist attraction for the small town of Salisbury Mills. The viaduct creates a spectacular landscape when viewed from the corner of Orrs Mills Road and Jackson Avenue outside of town, frequently photographed during fall foliage season.
The Moodna Viaduct also appears as a prominent feature in the 2007 film Michael Clayton
.
Also 2 roads cross under it, the major one is Orange County Route 20.
Trestle
A trestle is a rigid frame used as a support, especially referring to a bridge composed of a number of short spans supported by such frames. In the context of trestle bridges, each supporting frame is generally referred to as a bent...
spanning Moodna Creek
Moodna Creek
Moodna Creek is a small tributary of the Hudson River that drains eastern Orange County, New York. At 15.5 miles in length from its source at the confluence of Cromline Creek and Otter Kill west of Washingtonville, it is the longest stream located entirely within the county.Despite its small...
and its valley at the north end of Schunemunk Mountain
Schunemunk Mountain
Schunemunk Mountain is the highest mountain in Orange County, New York. The 1,664-foot summit is located in the town of Blooming Grove, with other portions in Cornwall and Woodbury. The community of Mountain Lodge Park is built up its western slope.The mountain is a popular recreational resource...
in Cornwall
Cornwall, New York
Cornwall is a town in Orange County, New York, USA. It is located about 50 miles north of New York City on the western shore of the Hudson River. The estimated population in 2007 was 12,827....
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, near the village of Salisbury Mills
Beaverdam Lake-Salisbury Mills, New York
Beaverdam Lake-Salisbury Mills is a census-designated place in Orange County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the CDP population was 2,779...
. The bridge was constructed between 1904 and 1908 by the Erie Railroad
Erie Railroad
The Erie Railroad was a railroad that operated in New York State, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, originally connecting New York City with Lake Erie...
as part of the Graham Line and was opened for service in January 1909. The trestle spans the valley for 3,200 feet (975m) and is 193 feet (59 m) high at its highest point, making it the highest and longest railroad trestle east of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. The open design of the trestle was used to reduce wind resistance and is a major reason why the trestle is still in service today. The viaduct crosses Orrs Mills Road north of the creek and Otter Kill Road south of the creek.
Currently, the viaduct
Viaduct
A viaduct is a bridge composed of several small spans. The term viaduct is derived from the Latin via for road and ducere to lead something. However, the Ancient Romans did not use that term per se; it is a modern derivation from an analogy with aqueduct. Like the Roman aqueducts, many early...
carries Metro-North
Metro-North Railroad
The Metro-North Commuter Railroad , trading as MTA Metro-North Railroad, or, more commonly, Metro-North, is a suburban commuter rail service that is run and managed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority , an authority of New York State. It is the busiest commuter railroad in the United...
's Port Jervis commuter line
Port Jervis Line (Metro-North)
The Metro-North Railroad Port Jervis Line is a predominantly single-track commuter rail line running from Suffern, New York to Port Jervis. At Suffern, the line continues south into New Jersey as NJ Transit's Main Line....
and Norfolk Southern freight trains. The Metro-North Salisbury Mills-Cornwall station
Salisbury Mills-Cornwall (Metro-North station)
The Salisbury Mills – Cornwall station, on the Metro-North Railroad Port Jervis Line, is in the Town of Cornwall in Orange County. Travel time from there to Hoboken Terminal, 55.4 miles away, is about one hour and 20 minutes....
sits near the north end of the viaduct. In summer 2007, timber
Timber
Timber may refer to:* Timber, a term common in the United Kingdom and Australia for wood materials * Timber, Oregon, an unincorporated community in the U.S...
replacement on the viaduct caused delays on the line due to slow orders placed on it, and required that service be halted during weekend days. As of October, 2009, repairs were underway to several of the concrete piers; traffic remains uninterrupted.
It is also a tourist attraction for the small town of Salisbury Mills. The viaduct creates a spectacular landscape when viewed from the corner of Orrs Mills Road and Jackson Avenue outside of town, frequently photographed during fall foliage season.
The Moodna Viaduct also appears as a prominent feature in the 2007 film Michael Clayton
Michael Clayton (film)
Michael Clayton is a 2007 American drama film written and directed by Tony Gilroy, starring George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton and Sydney Pollack...
.
Also 2 roads cross under it, the major one is Orange County Route 20.