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Mineral Railroad Trestle
The railroad trestle support wall across the road is a remnant of L&N's 156-mile Mineral Railroad, the backbone of the local iron industry. This segment ran along the north edge of Vulcan Park on its route around the Birmingham District, linking mines and mills. The railroad not only transported raw materials locally; it also connected to the nationwide rail network to ship pig iron and finished iron and steel.
From the park, the only visible remnant of the Mineral Railroad is the stone trestle support across the street. The trestle was build in 1889 to support the tracks as the crossed the road and passed along what is now the Vulcan Trail. The view of the train trestle may be blocked seasonal plant growth. Illustration by Paul R. Olso
The Mineral Railroad would wound its way along Red Mountain and through the Birmingham District. This ten-mile spur line, known as the Red Gap Branch, carried one mined from Red Mountain to furnaces in Jones Valley. Illustration by Paul R. Olson
he mineral railroad provided an efficient delivery system, sending mined minerals straight to local furnaces. This system helped give the local industry a competitive edge. Above, coal is being loaded into railroad carat the Risco Coal Mine, which was served by the system. Courtesy of Birmingham Public Library Archives, Catalog # 26.89 |