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Nijmegen railway bridge: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 51°51′07″N 5°51′24″E / 51.8519°N 5.8566°E / 51.8519; 5.8566
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|crosses= [[Waal (river)|Waal river]]
|crosses= [[Waal (river)|Waal river]]
|locale= [[Nijmegen]], [[Netherlands]]
|locale= [[Nijmegen]], [[Netherlands]]
|maint=
|maint=
|design= [[Truss bridge]]
|design= [[Truss bridge]]
|mainspan= {{convert|225|m|ft|0}}<ref>{{cite web
|mainspan= {{convert|225|m|ft|0}}<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://en.structurae.de/structures/data/index.cfm?ID=s0011413
| url = http://en.structurae.de/structures/data/index.cfm?ID=s0011413
| title = Spoorbrug Nijmegen
| title = Spoorbrug Nijmegen
| accessdate = {{date|17 mar 2013}}
| accessdate = 17 March 2013
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
|length= {{convert|675|m|ft|0}}
|length= {{convert|675|m|ft|0}}
|height=
|height=
|clearance= {{convert|23.1|m|ftin|0}}
|clearance= {{convert|23.1|m|ftin|0}}
|below=
|below=
|traffic=
|traffic=
|open= 1879; 1983
|open= 1879; 1983
|closed= Destroyed twice during [[World War II|World War&nbsp;II]]. Was rigged to blow by the Germans, but American Allies defused the charges.
|closed= Destroyed twice during [[World War II|World War&nbsp;II]]. Was rigged to blow by the Germans, but American Allies defused the charges.
|toll=
|toll=
|map_cue=
|map_cue=
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|coordinates= {{coord|51.8519|5.8566|display=title,inline}}
|coordinates= {{coord|51.8519|5.8566|display=title,inline}}
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The '''Nijmegen railway bridge''' is a [[truss bridge]] spanning the [[Waal (river)|River Waal]], connecting the city of [[Nijmegen]] to the town of [[Lent, Netherlands|Lent]] in the [[Netherlands]].
The '''Nijmegen railway bridge''' ({{langx|nl|Spoorbrug Nijmegen}}) is a [[truss bridge]] spanning the [[Waal (river)|River Waal]] in the [[Netherlands]], connecting the city of [[Nijmegen]] to the town of [[Lent, Netherlands|Lent]].


==Construction==
==Construction==
[[File:Nijmegen rail bridge 1879.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The original Nijmegen railway bridge in 1879.]]
[[File:Nijmegen rail bridge 1879.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The original Nijmegen railway bridge in 1879.]]
[[File:Spoorbrug Nijmegen 001.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The medieval style abutment towers.]]
[[File:Spoorbrug Nijmegen 001.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The medieval style abutment towers.]]
Construction started in 1875, on the site of an ancient Roman bridge, and was completed 4&nbsp;years later in 1879. It originally consisted of 3 truss arches. The southern land [[abutment]], styled as a medieval city gate, was designed by Dutch architect [[Pierre Cuypers|P.J.H Cuypers]]. These tower structures served the purposes of protecting the entrance to the city of Nijmegen. The railway bridge's construction meant that train connections to [[Arnhem]] were possible, thus Nijmegen was the last major city in the [[Netherlands]] to be connected to the national rail network.
Construction started in 1875, on the site of an ancient Roman bridge, and was completed 4&nbsp;years later in 1879. It originally consisted of three truss arches. The southern land [[abutment]], styled as a medieval city gate, was designed by Dutch architect [[Pierre Cuypers|P.J.H Cuypers]]. These twin tower structures, one each side of the track, were to protect the entrance to the city of Nijmegen and delay any enemy advance to give time to demolish the bridge.<ref name=Daanen>{{cite book |first=Peter |last=Daanen| title=Het Landhooft. The rampart at the Nijmegen railway bridge |date=2011 |publisher=Uitgeverij de Verteller, Nijmegen}}</ref>


The railway bridge's construction enabled train connections to [[Arnhem]], thus Nijmegen was the last major city in the [[Netherlands]] to be connected to the national rail network.
⚫
==Second World War==


⚫
==Second World War==
The middle arch of the bridge was destroyed twice during the Second World War, but despite this it survived the conflict. The first demolition was initiated on 10 May 1940 by the Dutch themselves when the Wehrmacht approached. The Germans repaired the bridge, and it was back in service by 17 November 1940.
The middle arch of the bridge was destroyed twice during the Second World War, but despite this it survived the conflict. The first demolition was initiated on 10 May 1940 by the Dutch themselves when the Wehrmacht approached. The Germans repaired the bridge, and it was back in service by 17 November 1940.


The abutment was also damaged by the Germans, who mounted [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft guns]] on each of the towers. The bridge was involved in [[Operation Market Garden]], and was intended to be a key objective for the Allies to hold. The [[82nd Airborne Division]]'s assault on the bridge in September 1944 received the nickname "Little Omaha" due to the heavy casualties, and became a significant turning point in the battle.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Bowman|first1=Martin|title=Shrinking Perimeter|date=2013|publisher=Pen & Sword|isbn=1473826802}}</ref>
The Germans modified the abutments by removing the top floor of each tower, strengthening the flat roofs and mounting [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft guns]].<ref name=Daanen/> The bridge was involved in [[Operation Market Garden]], and was a key Allied objective. The [[82nd Airborne Division]]'s assault on the bridge in September 1944 received the nickname "Little Omaha" due to the heavy casualties, and became a significant turning point in the battle.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Bowman|first1=Martin|title=Shrinking Perimeter|date=2013|publisher=Pen & Sword|isbn=978-1473826809}}</ref>


Despite the efforts of the Americans, frogmen from the [[Kommando Spezialkräfte Marine#1944|German Marine Einsatzkommando]] were able to demolish the bridge again on 28 September 1944.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3CRZeZycKU Report, starting min 38</ref>
Despite the efforts of the Americans, frogmen from the [[Kommando Spezialkräfte Marine#1944|German Marine Einsatzkommando]] were able to demolish the bridge again on 28 September 1944.<ref>{{Cite web|title= Hitlers Meereskämpfer: Kampfschwimmer und Torpedomänner im Zweiten Weltkrieg (Documentary, starting min 38)|work= [[YouTube]]|access-date=3 April 2024|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3CRZeZycKU |language=de}}</ref>


==Reconstruction==
==Reconstruction==
The bridge was reconstructed in 1984, still in the truss style but only one arch was kept in the design. Only the brick abutment remains from the original structure. This land abutment was to be demolished during the reconstruction but protests from the local Nijmegen residents prevented this and it was instead declared a national monument. In 2004, a [[Cycling in the Netherlands|bicycle bridge]] known as the ''Snelbinder'' was added to the eastern side of the bridge. The third level of the bridge was reconstructed in 2008, precisely from the original building plans.
To facilitate passage by larger ships, the bridge was reconstructed in 1983, still in the truss style but with only one wider arch. The bridge was also raised by one metre.<ref name=Daanen/> Only the brick abutment remains from the original structure. This abutment was to be demolished during the reconstruction, but protests from Nijmegen residents prevented this and it was declared a national monument, and in 2008 the third level was rebuilt from the original plans.<ref name=Daanen/>

In 2004, a [[Cycling in the Netherlands|bicycle bridge]] known as the ''Snelbinder'' was added to the eastern side of the bridge.<ref>{{cite book |first=Hylke & others|last=Roodenburg |title=Over de Waal|date=2011 |page=224 |publisher=Uitgeverij Vantilt, Nijmegen |language=nl |isbn=978-90-814500-27}}</ref>


[[Image:Nijmegenskyline.jpg|thumb|center|810px|The [[Waalbrug]], The Snelbinder and the Nijmegen railway bridge]]
[[Image:Nijmegenskyline.jpg|thumb|center|810px|The [[Waalbrug]], The Snelbinder and the Nijmegen railway bridge]]


==Literature evocation==
==Literature evocation==
In the short story of J.H.F. Grönloh ([[Nescio]]) "De uitvreter", the main character commits suicide by stepping from the bridge.
In the short story of J.H.F. Grönloh ([[Nescio]]) "De uitvreter", the main character commits suicide by stepping from the bridge.


==References==
==References==
{{Commons category|Spoorbrug Nijmegen}}
{{Commons category|Spoorbrug Nijmegen}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Truss bridges]]
[[Category:Truss bridges]]

Latest revision as of 16:00, 7 November 2024

Nijmegen Railway Bridge
The railway bridge and attached 'Snelbinder' cycle bridge.
Coordinates51°51′07″N 5°51′24″E / 51.8519°N 5.8566°E / 51.8519; 5.8566
Carries2 railway lines and bicycles
CrossesWaal river
LocaleNijmegen, Netherlands
Official nameNijmegen Bridge
Characteristics
DesignTruss bridge
Total length675 metres (2,215 ft)
Longest span225 metres (738 ft)[1]
Clearance above23.1 metres (75 ft 9 in)
History
Opened1879; 1983
ClosedDestroyed twice during World War II. Was rigged to blow by the Germans, but American Allies defused the charges.
Location
Map

The Nijmegen railway bridge (Dutch: Spoorbrug Nijmegen) is a truss bridge spanning the River Waal in the Netherlands, connecting the city of Nijmegen to the town of Lent.

Construction

[edit]
The original Nijmegen railway bridge in 1879.
The medieval style abutment towers.

Construction started in 1875, on the site of an ancient Roman bridge, and was completed 4 years later in 1879. It originally consisted of three truss arches. The southern land abutment, styled as a medieval city gate, was designed by Dutch architect P.J.H Cuypers. These twin tower structures, one each side of the track, were to protect the entrance to the city of Nijmegen and delay any enemy advance to give time to demolish the bridge.[2]

The railway bridge's construction enabled train connections to Arnhem, thus Nijmegen was the last major city in the Netherlands to be connected to the national rail network.

Second World War

[edit]

The middle arch of the bridge was destroyed twice during the Second World War, but despite this it survived the conflict. The first demolition was initiated on 10 May 1940 by the Dutch themselves when the Wehrmacht approached. The Germans repaired the bridge, and it was back in service by 17 November 1940.

The Germans modified the abutments by removing the top floor of each tower, strengthening the flat roofs and mounting anti-aircraft guns.[2] The bridge was involved in Operation Market Garden, and was a key Allied objective. The 82nd Airborne Division's assault on the bridge in September 1944 received the nickname "Little Omaha" due to the heavy casualties, and became a significant turning point in the battle.[3]

Despite the efforts of the Americans, frogmen from the German Marine Einsatzkommando were able to demolish the bridge again on 28 September 1944.[4]

Reconstruction

[edit]

To facilitate passage by larger ships, the bridge was reconstructed in 1983, still in the truss style but with only one wider arch. The bridge was also raised by one metre.[2] Only the brick abutment remains from the original structure. This abutment was to be demolished during the reconstruction, but protests from Nijmegen residents prevented this and it was declared a national monument, and in 2008 the third level was rebuilt from the original plans.[2]

In 2004, a bicycle bridge known as the Snelbinder was added to the eastern side of the bridge.[5]

The Waalbrug, The Snelbinder and the Nijmegen railway bridge

Literature evocation

[edit]

In the short story of J.H.F. Grönloh (Nescio) "De uitvreter", the main character commits suicide by stepping from the bridge.

References

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Spoorbrug Nijmegen.
  1. ^ "Spoorbrug Nijmegen". Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d Daanen, Peter (2011). Het Landhooft. The rampart at the Nijmegen railway bridge. Uitgeverij de Verteller, Nijmegen.
  3. ^ Bowman, Martin (2013). Shrinking Perimeter. Pen & Sword. ISBN 978-1473826809.
  4. ^ "Hitlers Meereskämpfer: Kampfschwimmer und Torpedomänner im Zweiten Weltkrieg (Documentary, starting min 38)". YouTube (in German). Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  5. ^ Roodenburg, Hylke & others (2011). Over de Waal (in Dutch). Uitgeverij Vantilt, Nijmegen. p. 224. ISBN 978-90-814500-27.
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