Avon River Bridge

Mile 32.25 on the Halifax Subdivision.

Length: 1146 feet long.(1) Second longest bridge on the DAR (after the Bear River Bridge)

In 1970 the Avon River Causeway replaced the bridges over the Avon River. The railway bridge was subsequently removed in 19?? as was the car bridge in 19??.

Howe Truss "Basket Bridge" 1869-1915

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  An early photo of the first railway bridge across the Avon River, shown behind the covered road bridge.

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  Approaches to the old covered bridge in the foreground and the old "Basket Bridge" railway bridge in the background.

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  Avon River Bridge circa 1890s.

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  The Flying Bluenose, Train No. 124 crossing the Avon River Bridge near Windsor, circa 1914.

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  Avon River Bridge near Windsor.

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  Avon River Bridge near Windsor.

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  The last days of the Basket Bridge, shown behind the new steel bridge which has just replaced it.

Steel Truss Bridge 1915-197?

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  The first train across the new Steel Railway Bridge in 1915.

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  Eastern approach tracks to the Avon River Bridge from downtown Windsor, in 1918, sharpest curve on the DAR.

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  Train No. 98 crosses Avon River Bridge in August 1951.

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  Mixed Train No. 96 Kentville to Halifax crossing Avon River Bridge in August 1951.

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  Freight on the Avon River Bridge heading west in August 1959.

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  Freight on the Avon River Bridge heading west in August 1959.

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  Plaster train crossing Avon River Bridge en route to quarries on July 20, 1967.

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  Plaster quarry train on the Avon River Bridge at Windsor, NS on July 20, 1967.

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  Plaster train crossing Avon River Bridge on July 20, 1967.

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  Tail end of plaster train crossing Avon River Bridge at Windsor on July 20, 1967.

References

(1) Memorandum of General Information on the Dominion Atlantic Railway, Feb. 17, 1969, page 4, Dominion Atlantic Railway, Library and Archives Canada HE2810 D7 D7 fol.