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Train Bridge LbNA #13565

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Feb 23, 2005
Location:
City:Marietta
County:Washington
State:Ohio
Boxes:1
Planted by:Safari Man
Found by: Li'l Green Ducky
Last found:Aug 4, 2013
Status:FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFaa
Last edited:Feb 23, 2005
Hearsay has it that this bridge started off in 1856 as a combination horse and buggy/pedestrian bridge built on these very piers. In 1873 it was converted to a railroad bridge and operated that way until 1962. It has seen damage to its superstructure several times due to the numerous floods that attack this town. It looks pretty rusted, but the walking portion of the bridge is in good shape. Where the rails used to be, however,looks pretty shaky. It also has the ability to pivot the last span, on its rock support, on the Marietta side, perpendicular to the rest of the bridge to allow tall boats to pass up and down river. (I'm definitely not an English major) This feature was used recently during the floods of Sept. 04 and Feb. 05 for those wishing to reposition their boats for safety.
Clues:
Please bring a stamp pad, your stamp, an old rag, gloves? and a pen.
Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Mostly flat walkways, a bridge, some stairs.
Distance: Best Guess is 1/4 mile to quest(s) and back
Time: Depends on what you decide to do on the other side.

Clues:
From downtown Marietta. Just down river from the Becky Thatcher Show Boat is an old Bridge that was used by Trains between Parkersburg, Belpre, Marietta and who knows where else. This Bridge is now no longer used for trains and when you cross it you will see why. (If you do not want to walk across the river bridge, see the Diesel Switcher letterbox for another route to this letterbox.) Find a parking place as close to the bridge as you can and then proceed across it and enjoy the view while crossing. Upon reaching the other side, just before the passenger cars, go down the stairs on the down river side. Cross the road and go to the river side of the bridge supports closest to the road. Face the supports. There should be a sitting bench to your left and slightly behind you behind a bush. Now look at the right hand side of the supports and the ends of the 3 horizontal beams about 6 feet above ground. Between two of these beam ends you will see a small vertical board. Discretely reach over the top of this board and you should find the Train Bridge letterbox. Now proceed to that hopefully empty bench and do your stamping. (if its occupied you might tell the occupants you have some important business and need the bench--humor)
Once done stamping, please return everything to the bag and seal it well, along with the box, and discretely return the letterbox to its resting place.
I suggest that you now visit the Harmar area and shop, browse, eat or drink or all the above. Definitely visit the Soda Museum and if you have not already found the Diesel Switcher and Fort Harmar letterboxes, check out their clues since your real close to them.