This beloved bridge ! I stood on the Nickel Bridge at sunrise today, 12 July 2021, and captured not only its beauty but suddenly its purpose. A train began to cross it just after sunrise. What a beauty ! Hats off to the men and possibly women working to keep America moving around the clock with these trains. They awaken me sometimes at night. There’s never anger or frustration, only gratitude. From Forest Hills we thank the ACL.

The train trestle was so much a part of my life as a teen, it still holds a special place

I probably only walked to the north side once or twice. What my friends and i did & loved, was going out halfway and hanging out on the tracks & in the concrete safety spaces/platforms that jutted out from the trestle. When the train wood come it was exciting as hell to run for one of the boxes. It was way too scary to stay out of them on the edge, of the trestle, when the train went by. Way to scary

We did however test our grit by walking all the way around the outside of the box, toeing the small ledge with each step. I did this many times and always one person at a time. And i don't know how far up we were, at least a hundred feet and certain death if we fell, but it was a guaranteed rush

I lived in richmond from 1959 to 1987 and although there are hundreds of spots there that I hold dear, the trestle spanned the whole time

TRULY A LANDMARK OF OUR BELOVED RICHMOND!!!
Built in 1919....."The Trestle" is probably the most photographed bridge in Richmond...at 103yrs old it is a haven for kayakers/JRPS visitors and "20somethings" venturing out on the tracks in the middle of the night...(been there...done that)

Every xgving, we walk down to the James via Pumphouse park. Over the canals, across the tracks - up to Tuckahoe creek and to the railroad bridges. Dogs, girls and I work up and appetite before the big event. It’s a funny mix of old Richmond ( pumphouse ), hobohemia (walking the tracks - dodging the occasional freight train) and nature’s majesty ( particular stretch of the James is beautiful - it widens in this section, full of protruding river stones with an old arched, colors of fall all everywhere, beautiful - and active - railroad bridge spanning the river. Its a tradition for us for at least 12+ years now - to me, it’s kind of a special place. Enjoy. And if you do choose to squeeze through the fence at the end of the pumphouse trail and cross the tracks - check the rails for vibrations and watch out for freight trains 😅

One of the best spots to spend a summer day.