My rail life #3: Chongqing, Baishatuo Railway Bridge in its last days
Hello, dear steemians! Welcome!
Chongqing is a city of bridges. Two great rivers the Yangtze River and Jialing River flow through and make the essence of the special city.
Among these numerous bridges, the Baishatuo Yangtze River is a forgetten one.
The Baishatuo Yangtze River Railway Bridge is the second bridge over the Yangtze River, which is located between Baishatuo and Luhuang in the southwestern suburbs of Chongqing.
the north shore, Baishatuo
Baishatuo Railway Bridge, Chongqing
In 1952, Deng Xiaoping proposed to build a bridge to connect the Chengdu-Chongqing railway and the Sichuan-Guizhou railway. In 1953, the first Yangtze River Bridge in Chongqing was designated between Baishatuo and Luohuang.
The bridge has been in service for more than 50 years. It is one of the most important bridges in the Southwest China. Once there were a class of soldiers at the bridge, but the guards were revoked several years ago. Residents there can pass through the bridge. Although it's very dangerous, there are still many people just because they can easily commute between Luohuang and Baishatuo.
Location of the Baishatuo Bridge
At the end of 2017, the new Baishatuo Yangtze River Railway Bridge was completed and the old bridge is about to be under demolition.
This bridge has preserved many memories of the local people. When I traveled Chongqing in 2011, I visited this bridge. In November 2017, I went to Chongqing to make a special shot of this meritorious old bridge.
I was on my third railtravel to Chongqing from Beijing in 2011. My cousin had been on business in Chongqing for 10 years. He suggested my visiting the first Yangtz River bridge in Chonging — Baishatuo Bridge. Then I make preparation for that.
I took the train #5629 Chongqing-Zunyi arrive at Luohuang. Luohuang Station is a very small station but it is the south end of the Chongqing Railway Hub.
Chongqing Railway Station, Caiyuanba 2011
The new bridge was not in construction at 2011.
tunnel under the bridge
SS3 electric locomotive outside the Luohuang Station
Due to the new bridge in use, the old one is about to be demolited. So I went to Chongqing to make a special shot in November 2017.
There were still railway workers at the bridge. They took on the task directing the trains. I talked with an old worker called Comrade Yang happily and he told me that he would retire 2 years later. He was assigned to the Luohuang Station 10 years ago. He often worked for more than 10 hours a day. I paid my respect to him for his hardwork.
workers at the bridge.
the south shore, Luohuang
under the bridge
The old and new Bashatuo Yangtze River Bridge
Though the old bridge will be demolited in the future days, I put it in my memory.
Thanks for reading, I'm @rail-life! Hugs from China!